A Diocesan Pilgrimage

40+ priests of the Diocese of Arlington process after Bishop Burbidge concludes Mass.

Last weekend, the Diocese of Arlington hosted a major pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC. I say major because such a thing would always be a large scale undertaking, and in particular post-COVID. As it turned out, the faithful of Arlington were just a’clammerin’ for such a pilgrimage, as around 2,000 people turned out - the largest single event to be held at the Basilica since shutdowns were put in place in March 2020. The pilgrimage was in honor of St. Joseph.

Here’s a link to the Arlington Catholic Herald’s write-up about it. Ya girl made the quotes. It was nice to meet Zoey, whose writing on church goings-ons I have appreciated, as she tends to focus on human interest stories occurring in the life of the church.

What I was trying to get at in that quote is that I truly did feel grateful that day, to have that beautiful building, the witness of all the priests celebrating Mass, the faith of all who attended - it was just normal Catholic stuff, which is so grand, and which has been missing now for nearly two years. It was triumphant, it was joyful, it was the way it ought to be. When we don’t have the opportunity to gather publicly and make a big, public demonstration of faith, something is wrong. Something is off. Dare I say it is actually bad for the soul. So, being at the pilgrimage was like giving my soul a nice, big, refreshing drink of water after many months of dehydration. It was good.

And, as you can see from the picture, most importantly: it was the eternal triumph of the Cross. Even when Jesus is hidden, he is among us, and will always have the final word - over politics, and over pandemics.

We are getting close to the end of the remaining days of the year of St. Joseph. I continue to learn about new devotions, and ways St. Joseph has impacted people’s lives, and am glad to see many Catholics taking seriously this directive to learn about and honor St. Joseph. “Ite ad Joseph” - Go to St. Joseph!

Here’s a prayer to St. Joseph that was given out on a prayer card to pilgrims:

O Saint Joseph,

to whom God entrusted

His Son, Jesus Christ,

and our Mother Mary,

we, who are members of your Son’s Body,

turn to you as our guardian.

As we make this pilgrimage,

bless us and protect us,

as you did the Holy Family.

Guide us to recognize the Body of Christ

truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Having received Him,

help us to live more fully in Him,

so that we may rejoice forever in your Kingdom,

Amen.

(St. Joseph, Guardian of the Body of Christ, pray for us).