diocesan pilgrimage to shrine

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Shrine to Be Held on Fatima Anniversary

By Michael F. Flach
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 2/22/07)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde will lead diocesan Catholics on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. The bi-annual pilgrimage will take place on the 90th anniversary of the Marian apparition at Fatima, Portugal. More than 3,000 pilgrims are expected to attend.
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee is scheduled to give the keynote address. Bishop Loverde will be the celebrant and homilist at the closing liturgy. Archbishop Dolan originally was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He also served as rector of the North American College in Rome and auxiliary bishop of St. Louis prior to his appointment to Milwaukee in 2002.
Father Francis J. Peffley, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville, is chairman of the pilgrimage committee. He also organized the diocesan pilgrimages in 2003 and 2005. Other committee members include: Father Frank J. Ready, Father Richard J. Mullins, Father Terry Specht, Father Mark S. Mealey, O.S.F.S., Brother David Eddy, Sister Clare Hunter, F.S.E., Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, Kevin Bohli, Betty Childers and Soren Johnson.
Father Paul de Ladurantaye, diocesan director of sacred liturgy and music, will compose the Pilgrimage Prayer. Richard Gibala, director of music at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More, will organize the Diocesan Choir.
The pilgrimage will begin at 9:30 a.m. with an opening hymn and welcome. Father Joseph Holcomb, director of pilgrimages for the shrine, will give the Tour of Faith. As in previous years, the 2007 pilgrimage will reflect the cultural diversity of the diocese. The rosary and petitions will be recited in five languages. Confessions will be heard from 10:30-noon in several languages.
In addition to the pilgrimage program, the Fatima theme will be woven into the packet that each pilgrim receives. The packet will contain a brochure, rosary, pin and holy card.
The Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine is supported by funds from the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal.