Monday, July 18, 2016

Pilgrimage of St James - St James Catholic Church - Tupelo, Mississippi



It is that time again for our third annual pilgrimage walk of 5 miles to celebrate our parish's patron - St James the Greater.  For almost 1,200 years, pilgrims flock to James' holy cathedral in the province of Galicia in the city of Santiago de Compostela.  I have arrived on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela four times (2003, 2012, 2015, 2016).  Last year, more than 265,000 pilgrims arrived in that holy city.  We recreate that pilgrimage in James' honor along the Natchez Trace.  We are starting in front of the church between 7:00 am and 7:30 am and are being shuttled to Chickasaw Village on the Trace where we will start.  The hike will start at 8:00 am.  For those who choose not to walk, a spiritual pilgrimage will begin at the church at 9:00 am.  Then we will all gather for breakfast in Shelton hall afterwards.  All participants will receive one of these nifty aluminum water bottles with our parish names and the symbols of St James embossed on it - the cross of St James and the scallop shell.  As you can see, even our parish cat Mary Woodward is excited about the pilgrimage!  We are hoping for a big turnout.  Please join us for this annual event, for fun, fellowship, and prayers.  Prayer stations and water stations will be placed on the route.  

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