Holy Thursday Pilgrimage Continues to Grow

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The Holy Thursday pilgrimage to seven churches continues to grow in its 10th year in the Hudson Valley. For the first time, the annual pilgrimage April 9 will include churches from four counties—Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Orange.

The pilgrimage originally involved churches in the Kingston area before expanding to all of Ulster County. In 2017, Dutchess County churches joined. Last year, churches in Orange County participated for the first time, and a Spanish pamphlet was distributed for the first time with the list of participating churches from the Dutchess and Ulster deaneries.

Sixty-six churches will celebrate Mass to start the evening before pilgrims leave their parish for the self-directed pilgrimage. One parish, St. Peter’s in Monticello, has scheduled both a Spanish and English Mass.

Pamphlets are being delivered to Dutchess and Ulster parishes for distribution on the fifth Sunday of Lent, March 29, and Palm Sunday, April 5. A digitally produced pamphlet is being sent to Orange and Sullivan county parishes, and may be reproduced for distribution March 29 and April 5.

The pamphlets contain suggested scriptural verses for prayer at each church, as well as Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April.

The pilgrimage is a revival of a popular devotion from the middle of the 20th century. It originated in the 16th century, with St. Philip Neri visiting seven Roman basilicas.