This is the fourth and final set of pilgrimage destinations. It will include the St. John Paul II Shrine and the Basilica. We will start at Brookland Metro Station, head east past St. Anthony (but not go in so that we don't disturb Mass), then the Franciscan Monastery, then head west to the St John Paul II Shrine and then down to the Basilica.
Rough sketch of the day:
Meet at 10 AM at the east exit of the Brookland Metro stop.
Walk east past St. Anthony and arrive at the Franciscan Monastery around 11. Tour the grounds on our own for a bit. I have reserved a limited number of monastery tour tickets. The tour is from 12 to 1. They may be accommodate extras if there is room.
Break for lunch/snack, 1-1:30.
Walk west on Taylor Street to Harewood and and arrive at the John Paul II Shrine around 2. Tour the Shrine, a Jubilee Pilgrimage site.
Walk down to the Basilica and do a self-guided tour of the grounds and interior. Only self-guided tours are available on Sundays.
Optional 4:30 PM Mass in the Basilica. If you do not wish to attend Mass, you can head back to Brookland Metro on your own; it's not far.
This is not a lot of mileage, but it's a lot of hours due to the number of sites in such a small area.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally. May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Listen to the official Jubilee hymn “Pilgrims of Hope” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uXO8lUcEZI
“Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ.” – Pope Francis