Dialog reporter
WILMINGTON – The theme of the seventh annual Youth Cross Pilgrimage was “Mercy in Motion,” and that was certainly the case. Nearly 800 youth and their adult leaders spent March 19 spreading their faith throughout the streets, parks and churches of Wilmington.
Groups came from parishes and schools, said Father Joe McQuaide, vice chancellor of the diocese and associate pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Castle.
The pilgrims were welcomed at the St. E Center by Noelle Garcia, a Catholic musician and speaker who had arrived in Wilmington at 4 a.m. the morning of the pilgrimage thanks to flight delays on her way from her home in Dodge City, Kan. She spent much of the night in Colorado waiting to fly east, but she tried not to worry.
“God always paves the way,” she said.
During a prayer service before the walking began, Bishop Malooly noted that the event marked his 30th such pilgrimage. He said he hoped it would be prayerful and reflective for those involved.
Pope Francis’ motto, “Miserando atque eligendo,” translates from Latin to “by having mercy, by choosing him.” Bishop Malooly said the pope “is very much concerned about mercy. That we receive the mercy of the Father … and in turn show mercy to one another.”
The places pilgrims would stop during the day were “monuments to the devotion of the people of God,” Bishop Malooly said.
The route of the pilgrimage, with young people taking turns carrying the pilgrimage cross through the city, included stops at St. Francis Hospital, St. Anthony of Padua Church for lunch and reconciliation, Tilton Park for Stations of the Cross, St. Paul Church for adoration, St. Hedwig Church for blessing and distribution of palms, and Palm Sunday vigil Mass at St. Elizabeth Church.
Nick Taylor, a student at Smyrna High School, attended with a group from his parish, St. Polycarp. He said he hoped to grow in his faith by attending, and he was eager to see some of the diocese’s churches for the first time.
“It’s crazy how many young adults and adolescents are into God and Catholic and want to experience God and grow in their faith,” he said.
Melina Carradin, a freshman at St. Mark’s High School, was at her second pilgrimage. She was there with the girls’ soccer team and said some members of the boys’ volleyball team also attended. Other St. Mark’s students walked with their parish youth groups.
“I’m here to spread the faith and support the church,” she said.
