On Sept. 22, 111 pilgrims from the Diocese of Green Bay embarked on a six-day journey to Philadelphia that coincided with Pope Francis’ visit to the city.
Among the group were local residents Kathy Schroeder from Holy Trinity, Oconto, Ann Van Hoof, Diane and Lee Roy Kruse from St. Anthony, Oconto Falls, and Rosemary Marifke from St. Michael, Suring, a teacher and former principal at St. Anthony School.
Bishop David Ricken met the group at 5:15 a.m. to bless them and offer prayers for a faith-filled and safe journey.
The pilgrimage consisted of three components. The first was attendance at the World Meeting of Families. The theme of the congress was “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.” Participants heard speakers talk about how strong, faith-filled, joyful families are the basis for a strong society.
Two of the most well-known presenters were Pastor Rick Warren and Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley. They co-presented a keynote talk entitled “The Joy of the Gospel of Life,” the main idea being that we are called to “live a life of daring faith and contagious joy.”
In addition to attending the World Meeting of Families, the pilgrims attended Mass and toured the St. John Neumann and St. Katharine Drexel shrines and Daylesford Abbey. They also went to the shrine in honor of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Here they were able to see and touch relics of St. Gianna.
A very special evening was had when the daughter of St. Gianna, Dr. Gianna Molla, addressed the group. She told of her family and read some beautiful letters her mother and father exchanged. Bishop Ricken met up with the group on Sept. 24. He was the main celebrant at the Masses and led morning/evening prayer and the rosary on the bus he was traveling with for the day.
There also was a walking tour of the historic area of the city: Independence Hall, Ben Franklin’s grave, etc.
The third part of the trip was the papal events Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. Security was tight during this time. Buses were required to park at AT&T Stadium, then everyone hopped on the SEPTA (subway) into the city. It was about a 2-mile walk to the security checkpoint, which was manned by Transportation Security Administration workers.
Those with passes gathered on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Jumbotrons were positioned fairly close together, and they had great speaker systems. On Sept. 26, our group was four Jumbotrons away from the main stage; on Sept. 27, only two.
Sept. 26 was the Festival of Families. The event started with a papal parade. The pope rode in the popemobile. The Secret Service had a hard time as the pope likes to stop and hug people.
Mark Wahlberg was the master of ceremonies for the event. Some of the entertainers were The Fray, Aretha Franklin, Sister Sledge, Andrea Bocelli and the Philadelphia Symphony.
The pope addressed the crowd during the festival. On Sept. 27, the pilgrims loaded their luggage on the bus, as they would be leaving as soon as the Mass was over. They arrived at the parkway about noon. There was another papal parade before the Mass started at 4 p.m. Even though there were thousands of people there, everyone sang the Mass parts and songs as one. It was very moving to worship with that many people.
Van Hoof said her favorite part of the trip was listening to St. Gianna’s daughter talk about her mother. Schroeder’s favorite parts were the papal Mass, meeting a saint’s daughter and touching the relics.
The city of Philadelphia certainly lived up to the name “The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.” The police, transit, food service, National Guard and volunteers were so helpful and cheerful. It made the week very enjoyable.
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