Approximately 1,000 Catholic young people will join Cardinal Edwin O’Brien and Auxiliary Bishops Mitchell T. Rozanski and Denis J. Madden in an annual pilgrimage through Baltimore on Saturday, March 31st to mark the start of Holy Week.
The idea for a youth pilgrimage originated from World Youth Day in Denver in 1993, which also featured a pilgrimage with youths carrying a large cross.
The theme of this year’s Youth and Young Adult Pilgrimage, held annually on the Saturday before Palm Sunday in Baltimore City, is “Occupy Passion/Manifestar Cristo,” inspired by Jesus’ willingness to enter into His death or passion.
Following a 12:15 p.m. rally at St. Mary’s Spiritual Center on Paca Street, the procession of young people will depart at 12:45 p.m. with the pilgrims carrying a 10-foot wooden cross along a three-mile route concluding at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Canton. The pilgrimage will take place RAIN or SHINE and will follow the schedule and course below.
| 11:15 | Registration opens and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available (St. Mary’s Spiritual Center, 600 N. Paca Street) |
| 12:15 | Opening Rally where the Cardinal speaks (St. Mary’s Spiritual Center) |
| 12:45 | Pilgrims travel to one of two sites: Group A: Shrine of St. Jude (Paca Street) for Concert Group B: Eucharistic Adoration at the Baltimore Basilica with Cardinal O’Brien |
| 2:45 | Pilgrims travel to alternate sites: Group A: Eucharistic Adoration at the Baltimore Basilica with Cardinal O’Brien Group B: Shrine of St. Jude (Paca Street) for Concert |
| 4:15 | Arrive at War Memorial Plaza |
| 5:30 | Pilgrims depart War Memorial Plaza and walk through the Inner Harbor |
| 7:00 | Pilgrims arrive at O’Donnell Street Park (next to St. Casimir’s) |
| 7:10 | O’Donnell Street Park in Canton- Blessing of the Palms |
| 7:25 | Pilgrims enter St. Casimir’s for Liturgy |
| 8:45 | Liturgy ends/departure |