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PILGRIMAGE OF THE CROSS 2006
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Carrying 80 lb Cross 15 km
Today I got up at about a quarter to four this morning to be at the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains with about 20 other youth, mostly CORCs, to carry the Diocesan Youth Cross on foot from the Cathedral to St. Martin’s Parish in Ennismore, which is about 15 km down Chemong Rd. through Bridgenorth across the causeway and up to Ennismore. And you are probably asking why. There are two reasons:
After 3 ½ hours of walking we actually made it for the 9 o’clock Mass and most of us stayed for the 11 o’clock Mass as well. On the way, there was some singing, grumbling (not much), prayer and a lot of horns acknowledging our witness. It was indescribable. At Mass, we made an impression by processing up the aisle with the Youth Cross on our shoulders and placing it at the front of the altar. During Mass, Fr. Norbert, Claire, Krista and Nic respectively talked a bit about SONfest – to which I know all of you are coming – and its connection to the gospel reading which talked about the crowds flooding to see Jesus in the wilderness. Nic talked briefly on the various kinds of vocations in the Church including his own to the priesthood. Overall, it was a tiring morning, felt almost like a whole day even though I got home early around 12 noon … had a long nap and did stuff around the house and decided to write this … Jeff. P. The walking pilgrimage with the Youth Cross to Ennismore, one week before SONfest was to take place there, was a first for the Youth Office, but definitely not a last. It took place on Sunday July 23rd which was, as Jeff pointed out, the day Pope Benedict had set aside for prayer and penance on behalf of peace in the Middle East. Hence, the walk was providential and well worth it, for more reasons than one. In addition to doing something very effective for peace in a war-torn region of the world, we brought a first taste of the SONfest spirit to the people of Ennismore who were quite moved by the dedication of the youth to go, as our Bishop said, “the extra mile” – literally. And we would do so again!
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