Pilgrims gather to learn about canonization trip
By Sean Gallagher
Participants in the upcoming arch-diocesan pilgrimage to Italy gathered on Oct. 1 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis learn details about their voyage and share their excitement about the prospect of witnessing the Oct. 15 canonization of Indiana’s first saint, Blessed Mother Theodore Guérin.
Most of the nearly 100 pilgrims on the Oct. 11-19 pilgrimage expected to be on the spiritual journey listened to and asked questions of the organizer of the pilgrimage, St. Luke parishioner Othmar Grueninger of Indianapolis.
Although through his business, Grueninger Tours, he organizes many trips each year to Europe and other destinations around the world, Grueninger said that this pilgrimage, centered on the canonization, is special.
“It’s a happy occasion,” he said. “And it took its time. … I think that made it even more important. We were all waiting for it to happen. I’m happy.”
Many pilgrims expressed their anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event, and their expectations about the positive spiritual impact that it will have in their lives.
At least one pilgrim was looking forward to sharing the fruits of the pilgrimage on her return from Italy.
Theresa Horton, a member of St. Mary Parish in Navilleton, is the principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in New Albany.
“I certainly plan on sharing all of this with the students at the school when I come back,” she said, “to help them understand the whole canonization process.”
Horton, who described the pilgrimage as a “spiritual retreat,” said that her deep regard for the Sisters of Providence, the religious community founded by Blessed Mother Theodore, led her to want to be a part of the pilgrimage.
“I have worked with [members of the] Sisters of Providence for 31 years, and they have guided me ever since I began as a teacher,” Horton said. “I’ve always looked up to them. They’ve been great role models for me.”
In addition to witnessing the canonization at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, the pilgrims will also visit Siena, San Gimignano, Assisi, and several important churches and other historic sites in Rome.
The pilgrimage will also include attendance at a Wednesday general papal audience. An optional trip to Monte Cassino, a monastery founded by St. Benedict, is also on the itinerary.
Daily intentions for archdiocesan pilgrimage to Italy
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Oct. 12: St. Dominic Church in Siena
- For archdiocesan seminarians and for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life
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Oct. 13: St. Francis Church in Siena
- For all the laity who work and volunteer in our parishes
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Oct. 14: St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome
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Oct. 15: St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
- For all the people of the archdiocese
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Oct. 16: St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica in Rome
- For religious sisters and all those who serve children in our Catholic schools and faith formation programs
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Oct. 17: St. Francis Basilica in Assisi
- For world peace, especially in the Middle East
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Oct. 18: Santa Maria delle Fellaci in Rome
- For the sick and homebound
Follow pilgrimage on weblog
Catholics across the archdiocese, the country and the world can follow the progress of the Oct. 11-19 pilgrimage to Italy that is centered on the Oct. 15 canonization of Blessed Mother Theodore Guérin, Indiana’s first saint.
They can do this through the pilgrimage’s weblog, or blog, which can be accessed at the homepage of The Criterion at
www.CriterionOnline.com.
Photos and written descriptions of the pilgrimage on the blog are expected to be available starting on Oct. 12.
Canonization Mass to be broadcast
live from Rome
Archdiocesan Catholics who have access to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will be able to watch the Oct. 15 canonization Mass of Blessed Mother Theodore Guérin.
The live broadcast from Rome will begin at 4 a.m. on Oct. 15. A rebroadcast of the Mass will start on the network at 9 p.m. the same day. †