4Real Forums: Pilgrimages

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Pilgrimages

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guitarnan
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
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Posts: 10883

Posted: Dec 08 2007 at 8:59pm \| IP Logged

Today we went to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (in DC) to celebrate the patronal feast day of the USA. It was just lovely - the Papal Nuncio celebrated the Mass, the choir sang beautifully, the basilica was packed...wow.

Afterward we got to talking about pilgrimages. My dd's godparents, living in Germany, plan to walk the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, in stages, as a family pilgrimage. We discussed finding more pilgrimage destinations in the USA.

Have you made any family pilgrimages? If so, where? How did you manage younger, active children on your journey?

I'm anticipating a trip to CA some time in the next few months and am especially interested in pilgrimage destinations there.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

Kristen in TN
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Joined: Oct 06 2006
Location: Tennessee
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Posts: 207

Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 12:57pm \| IP Logged

We went to Mass once at the Bascilica in DC, the other times we were there it was usually the day after Christmas when everyone was gone. We usually went to confession and spent a lot of time looking at all the different alters.

Have you been to the Franciscan Monestary in DC? We were blown away by that! They have a replica of the catacombs there. We had 3, maybe 4 children then and they were little. There are also grounds outside for the children to run a bit.

We have been to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton somewhere in Maryland. That is a neat tour, especially if her house is open. The children who like historical places would really enjoy that. Again, there are plenty of grounds to run without disturbing people.

This year we went to Gethsemane Monestary in Kentucky. The children (ages 10 down to 2) were really captivated by the chappel, even though it is very simple. It is a communtiy of Trappist Monks. They showed an excellent video that wasn't too long about the monks life.

Around here we have Hanceville. If you can get there and goto one of Fr. Fox's Masses, it is a real treat. He says Mass at Noon. He loves children! We have been there several times and there is not much room to run around, but there are little places like the Nativity chappel and the castle that the children like to look at. Not too far from that is the Benedictine Moestary and prep schoolin Cullman, AL That is a really neat place beacuse they have Ave Maria grotto where a monk spent years making minitures. They can be loud and run aroud a bit there.

As far as other places, when we have traveled, we stop at interesting looking churches and pray. Sometimes you just don't know until you get there. I cannot tell you a thing about California because I haven't been there. But, I hope some of what I said helps.

God bless,
KRisten in TN

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