Our Diocese has sponsored a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC every other year since the early 1970’s. It has been a wonderfully enriching experience of prayer and solidarity for participants of every age. During my tenure as President of the Catholic University, I witnessed millions of pilgrims coming and going to pray in this magnificent basilica church. I recall with special fondness the visit of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI to the University Campus and the Shrine.
This year the faithful from our Diocese of Trenton will make the pilgrimage on Saturday, November 7th 2015. I ask that you reserve this date in your personal schedule and your parish/ministry calendar. There are no particulars available at this time. The Shrine Staff will be hosting an orientation session for Diocesan Coordinators this coming March 2015. Father Jeffrey Lee, Diocesan Director for Pilgrimages will be participating as my representative. I trust that more particulars will follow that meeting.
I am grateful for all that you are doing in service to the people of our diocese. Thank you for the overwhelming sentiments and prayers that are being offered for me as I continue to recover from surgery. I look forward to being with you in the coming months. Thank you for helping to make the 2015 Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception a great opportunity for spiritual renewal. “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
