Experience Together

Friars on pilgrimage make a Chatawa stop

By Sister Lorraine Landry
Sisters Mary Clared Coyne and Nancy McNemar, Fathers Thomas Schaefgen and Francis Orozco, and Sister MarieClare Powell.
Sisters Mary Clared Coyne and Nancy McNemar, Fathers Thomas Schaefgen and Francis Orozco, and Sister MarieClare Powell.

Fathers Francis Orozco and Thomas Schaefgen had left the parish in Amite, Louisiana, the morning of June 7 and walked the approximately 30 miles to Chatawa. Sisters Joan Schaefer, Clared Coyne and Nancy Flamm met them on Highway 51 at the entrance to St. Mary of the Pines Drive and walked the last two miles with them. Our pastor, Father Suresh, a bit braver (and younger), met them in Osyka, Mississippi, and walked the last five miles with them.

The friars developed their own pilgrimage, modeling it on the 450-mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. They began the pilgrimage on May 29 and arrived in Memphis June 29.

A month before their arrival, our parish, St. Theresa, had received a request from them for overnight hospitality. Early in the afternoon, we received a call from a parishioner in Amite suggesting that we have pans and Epsom salt ready for a good foot soaking on their arrival. It was very evident that these were needed, as they immediately collapsed onto the couch in the guest house with deep sighs of gratitude. Their feet went into the pans.

The men depended on the goodwill of people along the way. They had no money, one credit card to be used only in the evening to confirm their arrival at their anticipated destination, ID cards and medical insurance cards. It was evident that they wanted to be true pilgrims.

We were privileged to share Eucharist with them before they left. At the end of the Mass, we blessed them and sent them on their way with healthy snacks. We were grateful for their short time with us. They were a wonderful witness of the new Evangelization.

Photo by Sister Lorraine Landry

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