Hundreds walk to Marian shrine in Pennsylavnia

GLEN GARDNER — After a hiatus of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Four Day Walking Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pa., returned. The pilgrims’ journey began Aug. 4, at Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Great Meadows, and ended at the shrine on Aug. 7. The shrine contains a reproduction of the Black Madonna of Jasna Góra, who has a special place in the lives of Catholics of Polish descent and is Poland’s most revered icon.

After journeying 17.5 miles, walking most of the time, the pilgrims’ first day ended on the campgrounds of Voorhees State Park, where they set up their tents, campsites and campers. The sight of a veritable tent city consisting of so many families and individuals stretched out over the fields was very inspiring to many. In the evening, everyone enjoyed a meal, then gathered on blankets, chairs and park benches around the altar set up at the base of a small hill.

Having had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and participate in First Friday Adoration, the pilgrims worshiped at Mass celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio. Concelebrating were 13 priests, all making the pilgrimage and representing the various parishes, dioceses and states from which the pilgrims came.

In his opening remarks, the bishop introduced himself and noted that the park was in the boundaries of the diocese. He thanked the organizers for inviting him to preside at the Mass.

Given the nature and composition of the pilgrimage, the Gospel readings and hymns were spoken and sung in Polish and English. The music was provided by various parish groups and religious communities.

The Gospel of that day, the Feast Day of St. John Vianney, was from Matthew where the Lord asks St. Peter, “Who do you say I am?” and the apostle replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

In his homily Bishop Checchio said that the reason Peter was able to answer the Lord correctly is because “he and the disciples had traveled with Jesus for years and had listened to his teachings, watched his interactions with people and thus had gotten to know Jesus very well.”

The bishop said that our life as Catholics is also a journey with Jesus in which we, too, learn about him. He compared the lives of the faithful to pilgrimages, where they must struggle with sacrifices, difficulties and ups and downs until finally each is called to answer Jesus’ question.

Specifically, Bishop Checchio said that the people on this pilgrimage also know the answer to the Lord’s question from the Gospel.

“And if we know who Jesus is that changes everything in our lives,” he said. “If we know the answer to the question then everything we do must relate to the Lord. The more we know Jesus the more we are able to draw close to him, through the Eucharist.”

Margaret Batkowski, a member at St Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, has participated in the pilgrimage eight times. The reason she continues to participate in the journeys is, “they allow me to experience prayer and reflection along the way, surrounded by God’s love and united in sisterhood and brotherhood with his people and creation.”

Before the final blessing, Bishop Checchio again pointed out that the day was the Feast Day of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. Emphasizing the need for an increase in the number of vocations to the priesthood, the bishop led the congregation in praying a “Hail Mary” to the Blessed Mother, who is the mother and model of all priests.

He asked the congregation for their continued prayers for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

Deacon Cline exercises his ministry at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater