Thousands descend on National Shrine for pilgrimage last Saturday (Photos/ video)

The sun has not yet risen as about 50 excited parishioners from Saint Genevieve’s Church in Elizabeth climb onto a bus on Saturday, Sept. 16. Accompanied by their priest, the pilgrims embark on their journey to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., as the bus engine roars to life and conversations fill the air for about an hour before gradually giving way to the quiet of slumber. 

The only stop is a rest area in Delaware, abuzz with fellow pilgrims grabbing a coffee, using the facilities, and grabbing a bite to eat. An hour before reaching the Basilica, the coordinator leads the pilgrims in a recitation of the rosary, fostering a sense of spiritual unity. 

Saint Genevieve’s bus is one of 59 that carried 2,500 of the faithful traveling from the Archdiocese of Newark for the 50th anniversary archdiocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine. Others traveled by car or train.  

Some came with special petitions for the health of a loved one, others to give thanks for the birth of a child or a negative cancer diagnosis. All came as a Marian devotion.  

PHOTO GALLERY: The faithful spend time with prayer and devotion to Mary

PHOTO GALLERY: Archdiocese parishes arrive at Basilica

As the pilgrims approached the Basilica, a palpable sense of excitement filled the air. The pilgrims were welcomed by the auxiliary bishop responsible for their county before gathering at the Basilica’s steps for a parish photo. It was a moment of joyous chaos as Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, and the auxiliary bishops joined each parish for group pictures, capturing memories of the sacred pilgrimage. 

Lourdes Sanchez from the Church of the Madonna in Fort Lee said she wanted to pray for her mom, who is celebrating her 98th birthday on Sept. 26, and her first-born grandson, who just turned three years old on Sept. 9. 

“I pray for them for good health,” Sanchez said. 

Marta Ramos de Mosquera, who is recovering from a cancer diagnosis, came to give thanks “because I’m still alive. I have gone through many things like cancer, so I have come to give thanks to Him.” 

After peering into the Basilica’s Great Upper Church, where an organ concert, the rosary, and Mass were planned for later, the pilgrims headed to the main level below for confessions offered in multiple languages and for devotions in the Crypt Church. Some lined up for confessions held privately in the oratories and chapels. Others headed to the gift shop to purchase items like blessed medals and rosaries. The store quickly sold out of holy water and frankincense.  

Although the foundation stone was laid in 1920, it wasn’t until 1959 that the church was completed and dedicated to the patroness of the U.S., Mary, under her title of the Immaculate Conception. The Marian shrine also contains the world’s largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art. In 2017, the “crowning jewel,” the central dome mosaic art adornment, was completed, creating the Trinity Dome. 

After filling out and dropping off their prayer intentions in baskets, the faithful sought out the quietness of the private spaces that honor the Mother of God before an organ concert on the basilica’s three Möller organs that led the thousands in prayer and praise. The church reflects the ethnic and cultural diversity of the United States as well as the unity and universality of the Catholic Church. Throughout the 80 chapels and oratories, Mary is portrayed in various cultures. Many of the pilgrims sought out the chapel that reflected their cultural Mary. 

Clarissa from St. Aloysius Church in Jersey City recalled donating to the National Shrine capital fund when she was in 3rd grade. This was her second archdiocesan pilgrimage, which has taken place every three years since 1973. She said she came on the pilgrimage because “I’d like to honor our lady.”  

Marie Baptiste, the president of the pastoral council at St. Aloysius Church in Jersey City, said the church usually does its own pilgrimage on Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, because it has a large devotion to Mary.  

“We’re doing the pilgrimage this year because this year is special because the whole Archdiocese is celebrating the 50th jubilee pilgrimage,” Baptiste said. “With our devotion to Mary, it’s like we are home, and we feel at home worshiping with everyone.” 

Before the Holy Rosary and the Mass, the parishioners formed a colorful procession of parish banners through the sanctuary and placed them up on the altar. 

The pilgrimage, the first since 2019, was led by Cardinal Tobin. As Mass began, pilgrims filled every seat and spilled into the aisles and the adjoining chapels and oratories throughout the 3,000-seat church.  

In his homily, Cardinal Tobin referred to the Gospel reading Acts 1, 12-14 and how it presents the unforgettable image of our Blessed Mother, Mary, standing at the foot of the cross.  

“This vivid portrait of the Stabat Mater (Mary, the Mother of Sorrows), has inspired artists, poets, musicians, saints, and ordinary folks like us throughout the history of our Church. Mary’s heart is breaking, but she is standing beneath her dying Son. She is the first Christian disciple, the one who is always faithful come what may,” Cardinal Tobin said. “In this time of pilgrimage and synodality, it is good to remember how Mary got to the foot of the cross.”  

Mary did not have to walk with the apostles and Jesus, he said, pointing out that she could have stayed home, telling herself that she was keeping the home fires burning for her Son’s return.  

“Thanks be to God, we know that Golgotha was not the end of Mary’s journey,” Cardinal Tobin said. “As we read in today’s second reading, Mary was with the Apostles when they returned to Jerusalem after our Lord’s ascension into heaven to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. Mary continued to walk with the young Church just as she accompanies us now to encourage us and guide us on our pilgrim journey.” 

The cardinal also spoke about the upcoming Synod taking place in Rome – the first session of the 16th Ordinary Synod of Bishops. 

A “synod” is simply an opportunity to come together as pilgrims under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who leads the Church—past, present, and future—to listen to the Word of God and to discern God’s will for us as we continue to travel together proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world, he said. 

“Communion, Mission, and Participation are the themes that will be discussed next month in Rome during the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops, and our Holy Father expects all of us to pray that this Synod will help our Church grow in its ability to carry out the mission entrusted to all baptized Christians co-responsibly, walking together in the same mission,” he said about the Synod beginning with a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square on the evening of Sept. 30. 

At the end of the day, parishioners boarded their buses once more sharing their impressions of the Basilica’s beauty and the moving Mass they attended. The return bus rides were peaceful, giving time to reflect.  

As the bus finally reached the churches late into the night where their cars were parked, parishioners bid farewell to one another, concluding their pilgrimage with heartfelt goodbyes.