For 58 people who traveled recently with Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Garcia to the 12 Holy Year pilgrimage churches in the Diocese of Sacramento, the common thread of their trip was the warmth, generosity and faith of both their fellow travelers and the parishioners who welcomed them at each stop along the way.

The travelers, who came from seven dioceses of California and Nevada, journeyed 1,033 miles over three days in a luxury bus, covering 17 of the 20 counties which comprise the diocese.

“Pilgrimages are occasions to renew our journey in faith and to reminded of the daily walk we embark on with God and our brothers and sisters as church,” Bishop Garcia said.

“As we journeyed from parish to parish, we witnessed the beauty of God’s creation, the vibrant colors of wildflowers and blossoms, the snow-covered mountains and the glistening waters of our lakes and rivers.”

Added to the majesty of God’s creation was the beauty of the pilgrim group itself, Bishop Garcia noted.

The three-day tour included stops at the 12 Holy Year pilgrimage churches in the diocese. From left, Holy Rosary of Fatima Sisters Vincenta Lemus, Martha Lopez and Soledad Castillo arrive with their luggage at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sacramento to begin the pilgrimage. Cathy Joyce/Herald photo

“The image of the ‘circle of love’ best describes what we shared and felt as we were wrapped in the divine embrace through the hands and hearts of our many parishioners who welcomed and prayed with us,” he said.

“At each stop, the gracious, embracing hospitality of each parish community was so evident. Their joy in having us visit radiated our common faith. As we entered the portals of each church building, we remembered the thousands before us who had entered and prayed there.”

Holy Rosary of Fatima Sister Vincenta Lemus said she was grateful to be able to share her faith in this “spiritual journey.”

“I was impressed by the way each parish community welcomed us,” she said. “Amid prayers, songs, stories and friendly chatter, our bonding as sisters and brothers flourished. Many of the pilgrims and parishioners exchanged addresses and phone numbers, promising to keep in touch.”

Rose Farrell, who said she didn’t think she would ever visit the Holy Land, called the pilgrimage “the closet I could get.”

“As we traveled from church to church, we formed a Christ-filled community. I was particularly struck by the beauty of the churches and the hospitality of those who received us,” she said.

Daniel Estrada called the pilgrimage “a beneficial experience.” Returning home, “I felt peaceful and thoughtful,” he said. “I think participating in similar events is a way to get closer to God and the Holy Spirit.”

Traveler Joyce Heintz agreed. “On this spiritual journey, my own faith was enriched in the reaching out and sharing with others in God’s presence,” she said. “I was struck by the warmth and generosity of the parish communities we visited. Through our common bond of faith, we felt part of a community we had never known before.”

The weekend journey “was a moment of grace, a time of seeing Jesus so alive in our parish communities,” Bishop Garcia concluded.

The 12 pilgrimage churches are: Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacramento; St. Patrick, Grass Valley; St. Joseph, Marysville; St. John the Baptist, Chico; Sacred Heart, Red Bluff; St. Joseph, Redding; St. Joseph, Yreka; Sacred Heart, Susanville; St. Theresa, South Lake Tahoe; St. Patrick, Jackson; and St. Vincent Ferrer, Vallejo.

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