ANNANDALE, N.J. – Following the cross and led by the images of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego, over 700 pilgrims journeyed through the streets and roads in the New Jersey western county of Hunterdon.
As they walked, they prayed and sang, often singing the Marian lyrics, “Ven con nosotros al caminar; Santa María, ven” – or “Come as we journey along our way, Santa María, come.”
Planned as part of the Diocese of Metuchen’s yearlong intentional preparation leading to the Dec. 12 consecration of the diocese to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Sept. 21 pilgrimage drew many participants to a call of reawakening and to a life of discipleship as they made the 9-mile trek that began and concluded at Immaculate Conception Parish, Annandale, N.J.
According to Father Timothy A. Christy, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Metuchen, there was special significance in the decision to walk 9 miles.
“Deep in our spiritual tradition ‘pilgrimages’ signify and make present our ultimate journey home to heaven, recalling the truth that ‘as Christians, we have no earthly home,’” said Father Christy. “Our pilgrimage commemorated the miles that St. Juan Diego regularly walked from his home to attend his catechesis to become Catholic in 1524.”
“St. Juan Diego’s heart was so moved by the love of Jesus and His Church and love of the Virgin Mary, no obstacle was too much to keep him from being joined to the Body of Christ and so to be able then to be prepared to receive Holy Communion,” said Father Christy. “It is our hope that the people of our diocese will be reinvigorated by that same love for Jesus, the same love for His Church and the inspiration and protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Along the way, pilgrims prayed the rosary – both in English and Spanish – and were joined by 23 priests, who accompanied them during various parts of the journey to offer the sacrament of reconciliation. An outdoor Eucharistic Holy Hour was stationed in a park at the 6-mile mark, where priests gave reflections, witnesses gave testimony to their faith and participants had the opportunity to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament and join in praise and worship.
For the pilgrims, some of whom pushed strollers or wielded canes on gravel paths and up steep inclines, the walk was a sacrifice, an arduous prayer, yet full of grace.
“I was overwhelmed with emotion many times,” said Sister Anna Nguyen, SSC, delegate for religious, who helped coordinate the spiritual components of the pilgrimage.
“The procession of the Eucharist was so powerful that I will never forget it … to see the faces of the people, all ages – clergy, religious, Eucharistic youth, young people, little children in carriages being pushed by their parents – all experiencing that we do not walk alone, Christ travels the ‘Way’ of our life with us!” said Sister Anna. “Even if they couldn’t see the Eucharist from the back of the procession, the Lord’s presence was palpable.”
Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, who has signaled a spiritual renewal in the diocese in preparation for the pending Dec. 12 consecration, joined the pilgrims for their last 3-mile stretch, during which the Eucharist was carried through the streets, as participants gave public witness to their faith and their devotion, and made marks of respect toward the sacrament. Many people looked on from their porches or car windows, photographed, waved and expressed words of encouragement as the long Eucharistic Procession passed.
At the end of their walking journey, pilgrims were met by nearly 300 additional people, who gathered at the parish for an outdoor Vigil Mass, celebrated by Bishop Checchio.
In his homily, Bishop Checchio spoke about the cost of true discipleship and the decisiveness needed to act on faith. He encouraged them to be willing to sacrifice in their discipleship and commit to Jesus Christ, just as they sacrificed to make this pilgrimage.
He reminded those present that the cost of discipleship is different for each person and in each age, but that for each person, it must become an all-consuming priority – “Christ continues to love the world through the heart of His true disciple!”
“By this Eucharist today, by our pilgrimage – 9 miles walking with the Lord and one another – we make a public statement to our Lord and to one another of where we choose to place our heart,” said Bishop Checchio.
“We ask the Lord to light our hearts on fire, we ask the Lord to strengthen us for the challenges and the difficulties that we and our families face…as we strive to bring the merciful presence of Christ to all who do not know Him yet,” he said. “I thank God for your striving to live this way, and I thank God for your witness today that you give through this pilgrimage – the times we live in, our times need more witnesses to Christ.”
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September 25, 2019
Media Contact:
Tara Smith
Office of Communications
Diocese of Metuchen
tsmith@diometuchen.org
(732) 529-7936 (office)