Bishop Kulick – We are a Pilgrim People

When we think about pilgrims, especially at this time of the year, thoughts come to mind of the men and women who made the famous voyage aboard the ship Mayflower. Fleeing their own religious persecution, the pilgrims settled in a new world, learning how to cope with weather and illness, farming and harvesting. It was the celebration of their first harvest that became the story of the first Thanksgiving.
For them, it was life-changing.

That is what a pilgrimage is — life-changing. Those who participate in a pilgrimage are not simply on vacation. Pilgrims have a religious or moral purpose in planning their spiritual trip. Unlike a vacation, a pilgrimage is not a break from our responsibilities. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, described it very well when he was delivering a speech to pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square in 2016 during the Jubilee of Mercy: “Making a pilgrimage to shrines is one of the most eloquent expressions of the faith of God’s people … . It would be a mistake to think that those who go on a pilgrimage live a spirituality that is not personal but rather of the masses. The reality is that the pilgrim carries within him his own history and faith and the lights and shadows of his own life. Each person carries within his or her heart a special wish and a particular prayer. Those who enter the shrine immediately feel they are at home, welcomed, understood and supported.”

This fall, we had two magnificent pilgrimage opportunities for the faithful of the Diocese of Greensburg.

In September, more than 150 people from our Diocese joined me for a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. I was delighted to hear from those who joined us on this pilgrimage — the first of my episcopacy to this shrine — how the visit stirred something in them and that they wanted to come back to spend more time in prayer and reflection and to see the various chapels and crypts. In fact, we have made a commitment to make another pilgrimage to the National Shrine on Sept. 19, 2026, the year that our Diocese celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Second, also in September, the Diocese of Greensburg presented “KNOW HIM: Pilgrimage to Christ.” More than 1,000 attendees, including close to 500 students from Catholic schools from around the Diocese, attended this virtual pilgrimage event.

St. Joseph Chapel was transformed into St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Pilgrims were offered a glimpse into the awe-inspiring, effective beauty of the Church’s treasures by Jill Alexy, founder of See the Sacred. From there, we virtually visited five major pilgrimage sites from around the world, all of which have been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We took those attending back to Indianapolis for a look at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress and the pilgrimage of those who graced our Diocese with the procession of the Holy Eucharist during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
As we approach 2025, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, we will celebrate a Jubilee titled “Pilgrims of Hope.”

I am looking forward to leading a pilgrimage of the faithful from the Diocese of Greensburg to Rome during the season of Lent.

Like the Holy Family, we are a pilgrim people. Every pilgrimage they made was in pursuit of holiness. We should imitate their journey, here or abroad, as a small part of what our life as His disciples should include. They are transformational experiences that can change our lives and bring us closer to our faith in ways we cannot imagine. Pilgrimages are also a constant reminder that we must continue to grow in our prayer life and our relationship with Christ while asking our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph to intercede for us along our journey.

+The Most Reverend Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L.
Bishop of Greensburg