By STEVE MARRONI
Evening Sun Reporter
John Mahoney carries a rosary on a pilgrimage made by a chapter of Tradition, Family and Property. The group made the journey to pray for "the family," what they consider the bedrock of society. (Evening Sun Photos by James Robinson) Purchase reprints of Evening Sun Photos at EveningSunPhotos.Com.
The group walked along Route 116 with a red banner bearing a lion and a cross.
Some carried rosaries. Some prayed. Some chatted with their friends, while others just quietly reflected
It was a 41/2-hour trek, spanning 13 miles. There was plenty of time for all of it.
Walking under the hot sun, 13 members of the Spring Grove chapter of Tradition, Family and Property made a pilgrimage Monday morning to Sacred Heart Basilica in Conewago Township.
Tradition, Family and Property is a Roman Catholic organization focused on issues facing families, said John Ritchie, the student-activities coordinator.
The organization has about 120,000 members nationally. The Spring Grove group has about 40 on its roster and made
Peter Miller carries the flag of Tradition, Family and Property as the group makes a 13-mile pilgrimage from Spring Grove to Sacred Heart Basilica on Monday. (Evening Sun Photos by James Robinson)
Purchase reprints of Evening Sun Photos at EveningSunPhotos.Com.
its pilgrimage to the historic, religious site because of the belief that the institution of the family is in trouble, Ritchie said.
"Broken homes, abortion, same-sex marriage," Ritchie said. "It all undermines the family. The bedrock of our society."
They made their way through the streets and busy highways. Cars honked, people waved and trucks blasted their horns.
Peter Miller, 19, carried the group's banner, fluttering red in the middle of the procession.
"We talk, we pray, we sing. Mostly think," he said.
And they walk.
Their clothes were conservative. Tan or blue coats, a shirt with maybe checkers. A floppy hat for the sun.
Miller said their toned-down look was to "combat decadent fashions." Some styles of flashy or revealing clothing, he said, are among the contributors to the things that hurt the family structure - the things they worry about, and were walking for.
Most of the pilgrims ranged from ages 18 to 24, but one was 13. Many are veterans of walks like these, but David Womack was taking part in his first pilgrimage.
"It's exciting," he said.
They rounded the bend into the cemetery, and saw the under-construction steeple of the historic church rise above the horizon. Ritchie said it is a moment of excitement. You know you are near your goal.
And, their goal was to pray the rosary for the family structure in America at the country's oldest stone church, and the first in the United States to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
The heat of hours of walking lifted as the group quietly and respectfully filed into the basilica.
They dipped their hands in vats of holy water, and walked among the stained glass images and watchful statues of saints to the alter. They knelt there, in silent prayer.
The church was quiet. Paintings on the high, cathedral ceilings blazed bright, elaborate scenes from the pages of their faith.
Then they sat in the pews, and said the rosary. Ritchie led them through the beaded prayers. The Nicene Creed. The Hail Mary. The Lord's Prayer.
Chants, songs and prayers. They ended their pilgrimage in the historic church, filling the massive room full of images from their faith with prayer.
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