The day after our pilgrims returned from their three day seventy-mile pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Eight North American Martyrs, Pope Benedict addressed the 2nd World Conference on the Pastoral Care of Pilgrimages and Shrines with enthusiastic words about the spiritual benefits of making pilgrimages.
Zenit News: The Pope told those engaged in the pastoral care of pilgrims: “In these historic moments in which we are called, with greater force if possible, to evangelize our world, the riches offered to us by the pilgrimage to shrines should be highlighted.” He underlined “its great ability to summon and bring together a growing number of pilgrims and religious tourists, some of whom are in complicated human and spiritual situations, somewhat distant from living the faith and with a weak ecclesial affiliation.” “Christ speaks to all of them with love and hope,” the Pontiff affirmed. “With his grace, the noblest causes also find their complete fulfillment.” Read more of the pope’s address here.
