Travel the Seven Churches Pilgrimage with the Catholic Herald

Catholic Herald Staff Report

The Catholic Herald’s first stop on the Sterling Route of the Seven Churches pilgrimage is at St. Veronica Church in Chantilly, where (from left) Msgr. Dennis W. Kleinmann, pastor; Deacon J. Paul Ochenkowski; and Fr. Christian N. Njodzela kneel before the tabernacle on the altar of repose April 2. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A forest of bushes and leafy plants makes for a realistic Garden of Gethsemane at the altar of repose at St. John Neumann Church in Reston. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Surrounded by leafy plants and flowers, the altar of repose at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston marks the third stop on the Sterling route of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A wide variety of flowers surrounds the altar of repose at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Sterling. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Statues of kneeling angels are seen before the tabernacle at the altar of repose at Our Lady of Hope Church in Potomac Falls. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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The tabernacle on the altar of repose is backlit dramatically at St. Theresa Church in Ashburn. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Candles illuminate the altar of repose at the parish center at St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg, concluding the Sterling route of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage April 2. ANNA DONOFRIO | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Members of the faithful pray before the altar of repose at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A garden of flowers and plants surrounds the altar of repose at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Arlington April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Candles and a large tabernacle adorn the altar of repose at St. Agnes Church in Arlington April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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The altar of repose at St. Ann Church in Arlington is draped in white on the Arlington route of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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A painted backdrop and an abundance of plants make for a realistic Garden of Gethsemane, as a rooster bearing a crown of thorns gazes upon the altar of repose at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls Church April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Large vases of white flowers surround the altar of repose in the side chapel of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Decorative linens and florals adorn the altar of repose at St. James Church in Falls Church April 2. ANA BATISTA | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Throughout the night Holy Thursday April 2, Catholics across the diocese silently traveled from church to church on the Seven Churches Pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage involves traveling to seven churches following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening. At each church, the faithful pray before the decorated altar of repose, where the Eucharist is kept until midnight. The altar of repose is typically kept separate from the church sanctuary and surrounded by plants and flowers, representing the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Catholic Herald traveled two pilgrimage routes — in Sterling and Arlington — two of seven diocesan routes organized by the diocesan Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries office.

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