19-04-2025
Benedictine Sisters celebrate 45 years of Good Friday pilgrimage, remember immigrants
On this Good Friday, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie remembered the suffering and passion of Jesus Christ.
Their goal was to bring tranquility and hope to immigrants who are living in fear of deportation or of separation from family.
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It was a day to reflect, slow down, and focus on the suffering of Jesus Christ. The Benedictines for Peace marked their 45th year of their Good Friday pilgrimage.
The Benedictines, along with other concerned individuals, gathered to bring awareness to not only Jesus' journey but also those who are suffering in today's society.
This year, their theme was 'The way of the cross; the way of the migrant.'
'We're really trying to open our eyes and our hearts to the suffering of immigrants nationally, but also those living in fear in our own communities,' said Anne McCarthy, coordinator for Benedictines for Peace.
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The pilgrimage started at St. Peter Cathedral, where the Benedictines and Bishop Lawrence Persico led a ceremony with song and reenactment. Then they began their silent walk.
Organizers chose seven locations in downtown Erie to stop and pray that have a significant connection to their theme. One location was at Emmaus Grove.
'We're stopping at St. Benedicine Education Center, who work with some of our community partners that are supporting refugees whose funding has suddenly been cut,' McCarthy explained. 'We're stopping at Gannon, where six students where suddenly their visas revoked for no reason.'
McCarthy said that even after 45 years, they continue to have an overwhelming amount of support from the community.
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'Let it break into our hearts and hopefully let it change our actions so that we can do what we can to protect them and advocate for them and really change our society,' she went on to say.
Participants were then invited to the Mount Saint Benedict for a Good Friday service.
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