Brothers, we are planning a pilgrimage to St. Anthony Shrine in Pittsburgh. The 1-day trip on November 14th will also include 3 other churches, and a vigil Mass celebrated in the shrine by Fr. Dailey.
The St. Anthony Shrine is home to the largest collection of 1st-class relics outside of the Vatican. Participation in the pilgrimage qualifies as one of the requirements for obtaining a plenary indulgence in the jubilee year of St. Francis of Assisi.
We will leave St. Michael’s at 7:30am, and return at approximately 8:45pm.
Stops will include:
- Old St. Patrick’s: Founded in 1808, this is Pittsburgh’s first Catholic parish and it anchors the south end of the Strip District. Rebuilt in 1938 after a devastating fire, it has a replica of the Holy Steps in Rome. The 28 white marble steps represent the steps Jesus climbed to stand before Pontius Pilate, and may only be climbed on one’s knees while praying.
- St. Stanislaus Kostka: Pittsburgh’s first Polish parish, dedicated in 1892 and featuring Romanesque Polish Cathedral-style architechture, this church anchors the north end of the Strip District. Inside it features majestic stained glass and stunning frescoes. On September 20, 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła—the future St. Pope John Paul II—visited the church and prayed there, commenting on how much it reminded him of the churches back in Poland.
- St. Anthony Shrine and Chapel: Home to the largest collection of relics outside of the Vatican, St. Anthony’s Chapel houses over 5000 first class relics that were rescued from Europe. The altar contains a relic from the table on which the Last Supper was celebrated, and it is surrounded by first class relics of all the apostles, all of the saints in the First Eucharistic Prayer, and most of the saints in the Second Eucharistic Prayer. The Chapel also contains near-lifesize Stations of the Cross.
- Holy Name of Jesus: The parish of St. Anthony Chapel, Holy Name of Jesus is right next door. It was established in 1866 in Troy Hill, overlooking the city, and it served a predominantly German population. From this parish, St. Anthony’s Chapel was constructed to house the growing collection of relics.
- Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District: Once home to bustling steel mills and wholesale companies, the Strip District is now a collection of specialty shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Transportation details will depend upon the number of participants, so if you are interested, please fill out the form and RSVP here: https://kofc11445.com/pilgrimage
If you have any questions, please contact myself or Brother Tom Messina.