A group of local Catholics is undertaking an ambitious walking pilgrimage covering 133 miles in three days during the month of the Sacred Heart on June 12-14 to parishes in the diocese that Bishop Earl Fernandes designated for a plenary indulgence.
The pilgrimage will begin on Thursday, June 12 at Cardington Sacred Hearts Church with the 8:45 a.m. Mass and continue to Coshocton Sacred Heart Church for the 9 a.m. Mass on Friday, June 13 before ending at Columbus Sacred Heart Church for the 4 p.m. Vigil Mass on Saturday, June 14.
Along the way, the van-supported relay will make informal stops to pray outside Mount Vernon St. Vincent de Paul Church; Newark Blessed Sacrament Church; Newark St. Francis de Sales Church, where there is Perpetual Adoration; and Granville St. Edward the Confessor Church, where the pilgrims hope to take a short rest on Friday night.
Visitors to diocesan churches named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus can gain a plenary indulgence this year by visiting the church, praying for the pope’s intentions and going to confession and receiving the Eucharist within a reasonable time of the visit. A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment related to sin for the person fulfilling those conditions.
The Catholic Church is honoring the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in France with a Jubilee Year concluding in 2025 in which the indulgence is offered for visits to Sacred Heart churches worldwide.
In pilgrim fashion, the local men expect their three-day journey to be both penitential and spiritual. They will be praying rosaries along the way.
If you would like to submit a prayer request, you can do so at https://pilgrimage.crucifers.org/ by clicking “Prayer” and submitting your intention.
If you are interested in joining the men for any part of the walk, please visit the website or reach out to Kurtis at 614-636-1833.