Day 8: Our Second Saturday

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA! Fr. Bloom just posted 8 great photos from the Pilgrimage on his site, linked here.

Driving down I-5 early this morning, I passed through the Skagit Valley, as I have thousands of times. For the FIRST time, I noticed the camp for migrants that we walked through on Day 4. I had never "seen" this camp before, although it is clearly visible from the highway. One reason I am doing this walk is to learn to see. 

About 65 of us walked this morning at some point.  Fr. Phillip Bloom got quite a flock together from St. Mary's of the Valley. He led the rosary as we walked, and that was a special blessing on all of us. There were 4 support cars! and at one point, a police escort, who were concerned for our safety on busy and narrow bridges. (posted by Mary)

Joining the pilgrimage at about 10:30 AM,  it was so moving to come upon the 65 pilgrims...all ages (babies in strollers, Mom, Grandmas, college students, a priest, a dog)...all prayerfully walking  for a miracle.  State road 529 had busy traffic, but a wide shoulder.  Crossing the river twice, on narrow bridges, brought us closer to the land we live in.  The devotion of the Hispanic Pilgrims is an inspiration to us born-in-America go-go rush-ers.  We learn and grow through this experience.

We experienced one more time the abundance of God when it became clear that all 60 of the folks from Monroe and Marysville had transportation home and food for the journey (scary things the organizers could not have handled).  There were nice exchanges between the large number of people attending an Hispanic Ministry Retreat being held at the same time, and the Pilgrims.

We are looking forward to attending 5 PM Mass at Immaculate Conception, and enjoying a taco bar provided by Marie Hedden from another parish.

Another update:  the blog is receiving approximately 250 hits a day now.  People are hearing about this pilgrimage and changing their schedules so they can join us...for an hour, a day, for however long they can pray.  (posted by Lee)

We are leaving Sunday morning at 9 a.m. from Immaculate Conception in Everett. Parishioners will be coming for the 9 a.m. Mass, so look for the white cross to join us.