Pilgrims in line for Comm

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Pilgrims in line for Communion during Mass at San Buenaventura Aug. 11. focused on the same thing: God.” Serra’s example also helped Martello endure the walk’s physical challenges. As Martello’s feet began to blister, he listened to fellow walker and St. John’s Seminary faculty member Father Ray Marquez talk about how Serra’s zeal to share the Gospel proved stronger than the painful ulcer on his leg that made walking almost impossible during his travels across California and Mexico. “That was the motivation for me to continue on today, and I’m so glad I did,” said Martello. Eleven-year-old June may have been the youngest pilgrim to walk all 35 miles. Starting out on the journey with her older sister, the realization hit her: There was no turning back. But remembering that the 35 miles between missions was a small fraction of what Serra walked regularly put things in perspective. As the last few miles of the walk got especially difficult, she drew strength from praying the rosary with the rest of the group. “Once you were there, you could either lay on the streets, or just go on,” laughed June, whose family are parishioners of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Camarillo. When they finally arrived at San Buenaventura late Sunday afternoon, the local Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard for the pilgrims as they sang the words of Catholic artist Matt Maher’s “Lord, I Need You.” Then, they followed Archbishop Gomez in procession as he entered the Mission Basilica with the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a few moments of adoration as the mission choir chanted “Tantum Ergo” before Mass. In his homily, Auxiliary Bishop Slawomir Szkredka thanked the pilgrims for their witness to Serra’s legacy, and for the prayer intentions they’d brought along. Then he quoted a line from a letter Serra wrote in 1769 detailing the difficulties of his mission in California: “But to a willing heart, everything is sweet.” The nourishment offered by the Eucharist, Szkredka explained, leads to the kind of interior change that enabled Serra to fulfill his mission. “We know that when we go out from the Eucharistic celebration, we will face hardships and difficulties and challenges. But we know that we go out with a heart of love, that we carry Jesus’ heart in us.” Looking ahead, the walkers’ summer pilgrimage options include the next Serra pilgrimage as well as the recently announced 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, set to finish in LA in June. Martello, who celebrated his 28th birthday during the pilgrimage, said he can’t wait to bring friends from Arizona and New York next year for a piece of the real Serra experience — and the sense of community it creates. “There’s a real spirit of camaraderie, like a big family,” said Wood. “It’s kind of like a managed chaos. We’re all in it together.” Pablo Kay is the editor-in-chief of Angelus. 20 • ANGELUS • September 6, 2024
September 6, 2024 • ANGELUS • 21
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Page 14 and 15: Paul Church near Mid-City Los Angel
Page 16 and 17: Students from St. Paul High School
Page 18 and 19: STARTING WITH SMILES Catholic schoo
Page 20 and 21: STANDING UP FOR SERRA For pilgrims,
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Page 26 and 27: The secret life of Jim Illustration
Page 28 and 29: INTERSECTIONS GREG ERLANDSON The m
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Angelus News | September 6, 2024 | Vol. 9 No. 18

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Angelus News | September 6, 2024 | Vol. 9 No. 18

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