And the Journeys continue.

Yesterday at St. Simeon Skete, we decided to take a few of the pilgrims on The Rosary Pilgrimage following the journey we take during our Annual Nazareth House Rosary Convocation started in 1996, (this year will be our 16th Annual Convocation). The Rosary Convocation pilgrimage takes place every October on the Saturday nearest to October 7th, the Feast Day of the Rosary.   

It was an unseasonably warm day, almost more like Summer than Spring while technically we are still in the Winter Season.    The Pilgrimage takes us on a journey, praying the Life of Christ along the way.

"The succession of holy words, the telling of beads, the moments of silence, all these form the background upon which the mysteries unfold within our mind, heart and life."-S+    

We began the Rosary by saying the Introit Prayers at the first stop of the Pilgrimage, overlooking the Ohio River. 

Next we journeyed through country roads and beautiful scenery, arriving at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Leopold, Indiana.  

"The mysteries are ever expanding to cover the wide range of human experience and emotion. These universal mysteries become intensely localized in the Rosary." -S+

Here we prayed the first set of Mysteries of the Rosary, The Joyful Mysteries.

"The first five (mysteries) concern a woman who gives birth for the salvation of the world..."

Linda & Anna from St. Augustine of Chico, California at St. Augustine, Leopold, Indiana

 From St. Augustine's Parish we journey on to St. Meinrad, Indiana to St. Joseph's Shrine

"...the second five (mysteries) concern a man, the son she borne, as the revealing light to a separated world; ..." -S+

At St. Joseph's Shrine, we prayed the second set, the Luminous Mysteries.

 and the journey continued...

 Reaching the Shrine of Our Lady of Monte Cassino, we began the third set, The Sorrowful Mysteries.

"..the third group (of mysteries) concern the man who dies for the salvation of the world;..." -S+ 

This chapel is one of our favorite places to pray.  

After a time of prayer, we took in the beauty and quaintness of the chapel.

and the facilities around us 

It was a simply gorgeous Lenten day...

 The Crucifixion and Resurrection were reflected in the Spring bulbs blooming

 amidst the starkness of the leafless Winter trees.

 After a light picnic lunch, we ...

washed up and traveled the final leg of the pilgrimage to St. Meinrad's Archabbey and Theological Seminary.

 Here we said the Glorious Mysteries.  "...the fourth group (of mysteries) concerns the reunion of the separated in the accomplishment of that salvation." -S+

 There is a statue at the Archabbey that always makes me smile.

The whimsically posed 'turned in' toes as he "walks",  the swinging arm...

 were made all the more charming today by the addition of the mockingbird on the head.

 

As you drive up to St. Meinrad you instantly feel as though you are in Europe. 

While we were in Indiana, James was in Sierra Leone making his own journey.

 The One Hut Village recovering from losing their huts last year are now preparing

 the bush, clearing it to plant a rice crop and other vegetables.

 NHA will provide the seeds for them

 which will help them provide food and sustenance for the village.

 A hard days work

 with little rest in hot African sun...

 There is a lot more to do, lots of brush to remove.  But the village teams up together, young and old and make it happen.

James, with the villagers at One Hut Village send their love and greetings, wishing you all a good week.