Photo By Staff Sgt. Casey Hustin | Five thousand to 10 thousand Kosovars and pilgrims, 200 KFOR Soldiers from various...... read more read more
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LETNICA, Kosovo – A young Albanian woman named Anjezë (Agnes) Bojaxhiu, from Skopje, Macedonia, grew up attending Mass at the Church of the Black Madonna in Letnica. On Aug. 15, 1928, during a pilgrimage, Anjezë heard God’s call. Later, Anjezë, moved to Ireland, and adopted the name Sister Mary Teresa. Eventually, Sister became Mother and is now known as Saint Teresa.
On Aug. 15, 2018, Soldiers supporting KFOR and Multi-National Battle Group – East (MNBG-E) followed the path of Saint Teresa’s pilgrimage, to the Church of the Black Madonna, where they attended Mass.
The experience held something different for the individuals who had the opportunity to attend. Chaplain (Capt.) Nathan L. Graeser, of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, California National Guard, coordinated the attendance of the MNBG-E Soldiers.
“It was pretty amazing to give Soldiers the opportunity first hand—faith and hope are shared values across the world,” said Graeser. “The Black Madonna, a statue of Mary, has lasted through two wars and is supposedly attached to miracles. Whatever their reasons, thousands travel here to hope for a miracle. It was great to give Soldiers the opportunity to see that part. It made all the efforts worthwhile.”
For some, this was just one of many spiritual journeys. MNBG-E Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew McKindley participated in his first pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna in 2009.
“The pilgrimage in 2009 was very special because I did not know what a pilgrimage really was,” said McKindley. “There were thousands of people everywhere, being baptized, going to confession and participating in Mass. The stimuli was overwhelming.”
This year’s pilgrimage was no less popular. Five thousand to 10 thousand Kosovars and pilgrims, 200 KFOR Soldiers from various nations, and about 70 MNBG-E Soldiers attended.
“The number of people walking, worshiping, and praying together reaffirms your faith in God,” said McKindley. “Spiritual health is a pillar of overall wellness that Soldiers need to be successful and resilient. It does not matter how, who, or what you worship.”
Graeser said pilgrimages have always been a sacred act for people pursuing God. “Jesus was led into the desert after being baptized. The Israelites were led into the desert. Heck, even Forest Gump had to run to find himself again,” he said.
“We were not wandering into any deserts, but we were walking and sharing a pilgrimage with our brothers and sisters from KFOR and people all over the Balkans to the Church of the Black Madonna,” said Graeser. “As we walked, we remind ourselves that none of us can do the spiritual life alone, but it is with each other, by each other that we walk toward our goals.”
After the Mass, the MNBG-E Soldiers journeyed a little further—up a dirt road, through a pasture into the woods, across a stream, and through rolling hills, said McKindley. “I instructed the Soldiers to take in nature, listen to the birds, the trickling stream and bells from the livestock and to forget about the everyday hustle and bustle that controls our lives.”
“Peace. This was a day for peace, and I believe we were able to experience some of that peace,” said McKindley.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2018 08:31 |
| Story ID: | 289197 |
| Location: | LETNICA, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, ‘A day for peace;’ Soldiers attend pilgrimage, by SSG Casey Hustin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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