A priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the managing editor of the official newspaper of the Archdiocese, The Catholic Review, will lead a 20-person Pilgrimage of Love and Mercy, a 108-mile walk from Baltimore to Philadelphia. They will honor Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States and raise funds for both the archdiocese and nations in the developing world.
Father John J. Lombardi, pastor of St. Peter in Hancock and St. Patrick in Little Orleans, and Paul McMullen, managing editor of the Catholic Review and CatholicReview.org, will lead a group who range in age from 14 to 69. They will depart the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore after 10:45 a.m. Mass Sept. 20, and seven days later join an estimated 1 million Sept. 27 along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, site of the only public Mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis in the U.S.
The walking pilgrimage is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Catholic Review, which also organized same-day bus and train transportation to the Sept. 27 Mass in Philadelphia. The walking pilgrimage includes a shoe drive, “Feet for Francis,” which will benefit both the Archdiocese of Baltimore and nations such as Benin, Haiti and Pakistan.
Walking 16 miles most days, pilgrims will rely on the support of parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions. “Remember, our Lord walked to all of his appointments,” Father Lombardi told the Catholic Review.
Father Lombardi, McMullen and other pilgrims will be available for interviews before and after the Sept. 20 departure Mass at the Basilica, and during their journey, which will take them from Baltimore City to Baltimore County, Harford County, Cecil County and then into Pennsylvania.
To arrange an interview with Father Lombardi, email officestpeter@verizon.net or call 301-678-6339. To arrange an interview with McMullen, email pmcmullen@CatholicReview.org or call 443-742-8760.
DAILY STARTING POINTS
Sunday Sept. 20 – Mid-day start from Basilica
Monday Sept. 21 – St. Ursula, Parkville
Tuesday Sept. 22 – The John Carroll School, Bel Air
Wednesday Sept. 23 – Conowingo Dam
Thursday Sept. 24 – Oxford, Pa.
Friday Sept. 25 – Kennett Square, Pa.
Saturday Sept. 26 – Neumann University, Aston, Pa.
Sunday Sept. 27 – St. Philomena Parish, Lansdowne, Pa.
REGISTERED FEET FOR FRANCIS SHOE DRIVE LOCATIONS (As of Sept. 15)
Archdiocese of Baltimore, 320 Cathedral St., Baltimore
Archbishop Curley High School, 3701 Sinclair Lane, Baltimore
St. Augustine School, 5990 Old Washington Road, Elkridge
Bishop Walsh School, 700 Bishop Walsh Road, Cumberland
Catholic Review Media, 880 Park Avenue, Baltimore
St. Dominic Parish, 5302 Harford Road, Baltimore
St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 3615 Harford Road, Baltimore
School of the Incarnation, 2601 Symphony Lane, Gambrills
The John Carroll School, 703 E. Churchville Road, Bel Air
St. John the Evangelist School, 669 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park
St. John Regional Catholic School, 8414 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick
St. Margaret Parish, 141 Hickory Avenue, Bel Air
St. Margaret School, 205 Hickory Avenue, Bel Air
St. Mark School, 26 Melvin Ave., Catonsville
Mercy High School, 1300 E. Northern Parkway, Baltimore
St. Michael the Archangel School, 10 Willow Ave., Baltimore
Our Lady of Grace Parish, 18310 Middletown Road, Parkton
Our Lady of Hope-St. Luke School, 8003 N. Boundary Road, Dundalk
St. Peter Parish, 16 E High St., Hancock
St. Thomas More Academy, 103 Prospect St., Middletown
Sacred Heart School, 63 Sacred Heart Lane, Glyndon
Seton Keough High School, 1201 Caton Avenue, Baltimore