One of the great traditions in the city of Rome is the Station Church Pilgrimage. Sponsored by the Pontifical North American College, the U.S. seminary in the Vatican, it is an opportunity to attend Holy Mass at a different church or basilica in Rome.
Now we Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn have the opportunity this Lent for our Station Church Masses all around Brooklyn and Queens.
This special effort is part of the diocese’s celebration of the Eucharistic Revival.
The Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage began on Ash Wednesday with Bishop Robert Brennan celebrating Mass, the distribution of ashes, and Eucharistic Adoration at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Downtown Brooklyn and will continue every day until Wednesday of Holy Week (Spy Wednesday) at Holy Cross in Maspeth.
The pilgrimage comes from parishioners asking during the recent diocesan synod process for greater collaboration and cooperation between deaneries and parishes and to place more of an emphasis on youth and young adults and adult faith formation, according to Father Joseph Gibino, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s vicar for evangelization and catechesis.
With all 22 diocesan deaneries involved, the pilgrimage is a step toward that increased collaboration, Father Gibino said.
Each Mass is being asked to “reflect parish culture,” Father Gibino added.
The Lenten Pilgrimage will allow parishioners from across the diocese to experience the Mass of the many diverse cultures of the diocese.
To further the idea of global Catholic cultures in the diocese, a passport book will be handed out to all attendees at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James. You can then have the book stamped there and at all other Masses you attend during the 40-day pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage will also incorporate other recent synod goals that were raised by parishioners.
For younger Catholics, the diocese’s Office of Youth and Young Adults will offer many the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration and Holy Hours throughout the pilgrimage.
With adult faith formation, Father Gibino said, the pilgrimage will allow them the opportunity to connect with the faith on a deeper level.
“It is an opportunity for adults to perhaps choose something for Lent this year,” he added.
“Traditionally, we’ve always given something up, but as adults now, we can give an hour of our time or a part of our day to the Lord in quiet prayer and reflection.”
Even if you can’t get to every one of the 40-day Lenten Pilgrimage of faith Masses, this experience can offer a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the National Eucharistic Revival, and to see the beautiful churches in Brooklyn and Queens, and to witness the rich and vibrant faith of the people of God in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
More information can be found online at dioceseofbrooklyn.org/LentenPilgrimage