Cl in the world

Across America

From the East to the West Coast of America, reports on the numerous pilgrimages organized to Marian shrines on the occasion of the Fraternity’s twentieth anniversary

Arizona:
The community of Phoenix made the Fraternity pilgrimage on October 19th to the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the foot of Camelback Mountain. The group recited the Rosary and read Fr Giussani’s meditations, following the route of the Stations of the Cross on the hill. After completing the Way of the Cross, they gathered in front of Our Lady to sing. In the late evening, they had supper together.

California:
The community of Sacramento and San Francisco organized a pilgrimage on October 19th to the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara.
The community of San Diego and Los Angeles made their pilgrimage to Immaculate Conception Church in the Old Town of San Diego. The community began their procession in Presidio Park, on the site of the first church built in California by Junipero Serra in 1760. Along their route, they sang and read the Holy Father’s address in Loreto in 1993, and recited the Rosary, meditating on the texts in the booklet prepared for the occasion. Holy Mass was then celebrated by Fr Michael. The gesture ended with a big lunch together.

Colorado:
The community of Denver organized a Holy Mass in a Marian church, asking Archbishop Charles Chaput for a special blessing. Five people participated.

Florida:
The community of Tampa organized a pilgrimage on October 19th to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St Augustine. Twenty people participated.

Illinois:
The community of Chicago made the pilgrimage to the Marian shrine of Milwaukee on Holy Hill. They walked for two hours, reciting the Rosary, reading the meditations by Fr Giussani, and singing. At the top of the hill, Luca spoke about the experience of the Fraternity. At the end of the evening, they celebrated Holy Mass and had dinner together. The community of South Bend, Indiana, also took part in the gesture. Thirty people attended.

Indiana:
The community of Evansville made the pilgrimage on October 19th to St Meinrad Archabbey in Spencer County, Indiana. They recited Vespers with the Sisters at St Meinrad and walked a mile, reciting the Rosary, to the sanctuary of Mary in Monte Casino. The group ate together, and sang and meditated on the readings in the booklet prepared for the occasion.

New York:
The community made the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs in Auriesville, in upstate New York. They traveled in two buses to the shrine of the first American martyrs, Jesuit missionaries (Isaac Jogues and Jean La Lande) brutally killed in 1646. During the long trip they recited the Rosary and learned new songs from the booklet prepared for the pilgrimage to Loreto. After lunch together and Mass celebrated in the Marian chapel, Fr Rich held a meeting. Before the return trip home, the choir sang and Fr Giussani’s address at Opening Day was read. There were 130 people attending, including children, CLU, and GS students. October 19th is also the Feast Day of the North American Martyrs, being the day on which the Jesuit martyrs were proclaimed saints. The communities of Connecticut and New Jersey also took part in the gesture.

Massachusetts:
The community organized a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston. More than 50 people attended.

Minnesota:
The community of St Cloud made the pilgrimage on October 19th to Assumption Chapel in Cold Spring. Forty people attended.
The community of Rochester organized a pilgrimage on October 26th.

Missouri:
The community of St Joseph made a pilgrimage on October 19th to Mir House, a local Marian chapel, to recite the Rosary. The Kansas community also participated. Twenty people attended.

Oklahoma:
The community made the pilgrimage on October 19th to Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. They celebrated Mass, recited the Rosary, meditating on Fr Giussani’s texts, and sang the songs suggested in the booklet. Twenty people took part. Fr Bill Pruett accompanied the community during the gesture.

Oregon:
The community made the pilgrimage to the Grotto in the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland. Twenty people attended. The Bishop of Portland and some professors from the theological seminary were invited.

Puerto Rico:
The community made the pilgrimage on October 19th to the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Monserrate de Hormiguero. Fifty people participated, and the Bishop of that diocese was invited. Mass was celebrated by Fr Diego di Modugno.

South Dakota:
On October 19th, the community made a pilgrimage to three parishes in Huron: St Patrick’s, St Martin’s, and the Holy Trinity Resurrection site. The Rosary was recited, following Fr Giussani’s meditations on the Mysteries. After an hour of Eucharistic Adoration, Anacleto Maggi and Andrea Mariani, of Rochester, gave testimonies. At the conclusion, everyone ate together, and offered an exhibition of posters and photographs from the most recent Responsibles Assembly. Fr Jim Zimmer, a priest of Holy Trinity parish, led the gesture.

Texas:
The community of Dallas made a pilgrimage to Dallas Cathedral. Seven people took part.
The community of Austin organized the pilgrimage on October 19th to St Mary’s Cathedral. Ten people attended, and they received a special blessing from the Bishop of Austin.

Washington, DC:
The community made the pilgrimage to the National Cathedral, where they recited the Rosary and celebrated Holy Mass. One hundred people participated. Cardinal McCarrick sent a letter to the Responsibles of the community, renewing his special apostolic blessing.

The small communities (such as New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina) participated in Mass on the day of the pilgrimage, praying for the Holy Father’s intentions.