Fatima, Lourdes, Assisi. These are some of the places where Catholics make pilgrimages. Port Arthur is also a place for pilgrimages.

The sixth annual Lenten Pilgrimage will be an almost all day affair on Saturday, March 4 with the following schedule:

• 9 a.m. – Traditional Latin Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Time for confessions is 30 minutes before mass.
• 10:40 a.m. – Begin at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Immediate stops include St. Catherine of Siena Church, Calvary Cemetery, St. James Church with the Stations of the Cross.
• 2 p.m. – End at the Queen of Peace Shrine and Queen of Vietnam Church.
• 2:30 p.m. – Conclusion of pilgrimage and shuttle ride back to OLOG.

Participants are asked to bring a Rosary, modest attire (no shorts and no tank tops), comfortable shoes for walking. Bread and water will be provided. There will be a police escort for the entire five miles distance provided by the Port Arthur Police Department.

A trailer will be available throughout the walk with benches for anyone who needs to sit. Restroom stops are included.

The pilgrimage has a long tradition in the Catholic faith, according to Marilynn Morrell, an organizer with the Lenten Pilgrimage.

“Fatima, Lourdes, Camino de Santiago, Chartres, and Assisi to name a few, but many of us cannot sojourn to these faraway places,” she said. “Right here in our backyard we can find a treasure trove just waiting for us to re-discover and renew our spiritual dedication to Jesus.”

There are also treasure troves such as the Marian shrines at Our Lady of Guadalupe and Queen of Peace,

“We have beautiful Marian shrines in South County to rediscover,” Morrell said.

Morrell referred to catholicism.org website to define what a pilgrimage means:

“Some pilgrimages were done in penance for sin; some were done in petition for a special blessing; and some were undertaken simply out of devotion. It is a journey with a purpose, and that purpose is to honor God.”

In years past persons in electric wheelchairs and baby strollers attended.

Banners and/or flags are encouraged.

“Join fellow Catholics for a walking pilgrimage to Shrines of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Rediscover holy sites along the way. Come walk and pray with others faithful during the Holy Season of Lent,” she said.

The Lenten Pilgrimage is sponsored by Latin Mass Society of Beaumont.; 40 Days for Life of Beaumont; Tradition, Family, and Property of Louisiana; Militia Immaculata- Beaumont and Advanced Pressure Washing.

For more information contact LatinMassBeaumont@gmail.com

Email: david.ball@panews.com