This is the third pilgrimage route. It is designed for St. Andrew Apostle parishioners, but all are welcome.
We will celebrate Saturday morning Mass at St. Andrew Apostle at 9 AM. Immediately following, we will depart for the Shrine of St. Jude.
The route is about 8 miles and very scenic, but hilly and not particularly shady for a couple miles in the first half. There is basically nowhere to stop for a bathroom or to buy food along the way. There is a gas station about a block from the trail if you really need it, and a convenience store another block away. But don't plan on needing either.
At the conclusion of the walk, you can take the #40 bus from Veirs Mill Road back to the Wheaton Triangle, and then transfer to the #9 bus, which will drop you directly outside St. Andrew. I will also be taking these buses, so you can just follow me. Both buses are 100% free and do not require a fare card. You could also walk from the Wheaton Triangle to St. Andrew, which is about an extra 1.5 miles.
You could of course arrange to park a car at both ends with a friend who is doing the walk with you, but you have to arrange this on your own. (Walker 1 and 2 meet in the parking lot of St. Jude in the morning, then both walkers take Walker 1's car to St. Andrew, park it, do the walk, and ride back in Walker 2's car to St. Andrew.)
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
St. Andrew Apostle to Shrine of St. Jude Catholic Church
“We are a Catholic Christian community of diverse origins united as a family under the patronage of Saint Jude Thaddeus, the apostle, friend, and relative of Jesus. We believe, cherish, and celebrate the saving truth of Christ as handed down to us in the Church Universal. We are committed to learn, live, teach, and spread the beautiful and precious Catholic faith. We seek to become the ‘Beacon of Christ on the Hill’ in our neighborhood and beyond.”
There are several prayers associated with St. Jude. Here are some (source, and others):
Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of hope. Please intercede on my behalf. Make use of that particular privilege given to you to bring hope, comfort, and help where they are needed most. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven as I work with my challenges, particularly (here make your request). I praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you. Amen.
God the Father, give me hope. Help me to know that your hope is alive in me as I offer kindness, forgiveness, and tenderness to others. I seek the calm that comes from trusting in your hope and your healing presence. I trust that your servant St. Jude walks with me in all the blessings and challenges of my life, and intercedes on behalf of my petitions. St. Jude, fill my heart with hope. Amen.
Through your intercession, St. Jude, please help me to always be open to the calming presence of God. Help me to remember how important my forgiveness toward others can be, for their peace as well as for mine. I will continue to pray for peace between nations. But I also want to contribute to building peace in the corners of the world that I live in, and with the people I meet . . . whether I know them well or not. May God grant my family peace. And may He grant me peace and strength as I continue to work to follow Jesus’ teachings. Thank you, St. Jude, for being a source of deep hope and for bringing my petitions to God. Amen.
St. Jude, may your path of hope be mine in the days ahead. I promise in faith to share your hope with others, to forgive as I am forgiven by my Father in heaven, and to show caring and kindness at every opportunity. Guide me, St. Jude, so that I begin each new day with gratitude, truth, and hope in my heart. Challenge me, St. Jude, to end each day reflecting on my actions and motivations so that I grow in faith, love, and hope. Amen.
St. Jude, you are with me in all that is new. May your path of hope be mine in the days ahead. I promise in faith to share your hope with others, to forgive as I am forgiven by my Father in heaven, and to show sympathy and kindness at every opportunity. Guide me, St. Jude, so that I will begin each new day with gratitude on my lips, with truth on my mind, and with hope in my heart. Challenge me, St. Jude, so that I will end each day reflecting on my actions and motivations so that I will grow in faith, love, and hope. Amen.
Walk route:
There is a generally direct route from St. Andrew along Arcola and Veirs Mill Road, but this is not particularly pleasant for walking. You could take Arcola to some neighborhood streets west of Georgia, along Connecticut Ave, to the Matthew Henson Trail, for 5.8 miles.
A more scenic and enjoyable route walks north along Kemp Mill Road, through Poplar Run, to the Matthew Henson Trail. After Connecticut Avenue and Turkey Branch Parkway, exit right onto Falcon St, then right on Larkin and left on Mercury. 8.2 miles.