What is the Pilgrimage for Life?
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"God’s love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother’s womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Gn 1:26) in each one." -Pope Benedict XVI, February 2005 |
The Pilgrimage for Life is an opportunity for Catholic Faithful to gather and pray for those affected by infractions on the dignity of life, and for a reinvigoration of the Culture of Life. Through gathering and processing, participants in the Pilgrimage for Life witness to the world our Catholic teaching on the life and dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.
We invite Catholic faithful from around the state to participate in the Pilgrimage, which will begin with the celebration of Mass at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Huntsville. Pilgrims will then participate in a one-mile prayerful procession, led by the Cardinal, from an abortion referral center to the Texas death chamber, where executions take place. Pilgrims may also choose to stay at the parish for Adoration and guided reflection .
Throughout the Pilgrimage, all life is acknowledged as sacred. Politics and preference are set aside, all life is welcome: the life of the unborn, the child, the mother, the father, the poor, the wealthy, the imprisoned, the victim, the elderly, the welcomed, and the stranger.
Information for Participants
The Pilgrimage for Life is an opportunity to reflect on the life and dignity of the human person from conception to natural death. Our presence today is one of prayer and reconciliation for all those who strive to promote a Culture of Life, and for those who are deceived by the Culture of Death. This is a witness, not a demonstration. All sloganeering, verbal confrontations, forms of harassment or public shaming, etc. are unacceptable. Please refrain from bringing signs or otherwise making political statements or partisan comments.
Schedule of Events
| Prior to 8:30 a.m. |
Parking for this event is at the Walker County Fairgrounds
3925 State Highway 30 West, Huntsville, TX 77340
Shuttles will transport participants to St. Thomas Catholic Church
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| 9:00 a.m. |
Cardinal DiNardo will preside at Mass
St. Thomas Catholic Church in Huntsville
A collection will be taken for St. Thomas Catholic Church and the Texas Catholic Conference to cover expenses for the Pilgrimage for Life |
| 10:10 a.m. |
Adoration begins at St. Thomas
Adoration is available for those unable to complete the walk |
| 10:15 a.m. |
Meet at Huntsville Planned Parenthood
Note: Bottled water will be provided.
We encourage fasting throughout this time if possible. |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Pilgrimage for Life Walk Begins |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Closing Prayer at the Huntsville Prison |
| 12:00 p.m. |
Luncheon at St. Thomas Catholic Church |
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Shuttles will transport participants to St. Thomas Catholic Church and to the Walker County Fairgrounds |
Parking and Transportation
Parking will not be available at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Pilgrimage for Life parking will be at the Walker County Fairgrounds, located at 3925 State Highway 30 West, Huntsville, TX 77340. Buses will be shuttling from the Fairgrounds to St. Thomas Catholic Church until 9:30 a.m. The bus ride from the Fairgrounds to the Church is approximately 10 minutes, so please plan accordingly to arrive in time for 9 a.m. Mass.
Shuttles will be available to return to the Fairgrounds after the closing prayer.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Plenty of water
- A snack if you will not be able to fast during this time
- Hat and sun block
- Rosary and/or prayers books for the walk
- Please check the weather and be prepared for rain
Huntsville Hotel Accommodations
- Sam Houston State University Hotel, 1700 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville, TX 77341, (936) 291-2151 We have a discounted room block here for $72 a night, simply mention that you are booking for the "Pilgrimage for Life”
- Holiday Inn Express, 201 W Hill Park Circle, Huntsville, TX 77340, (936) 293-8800
- EconoLodge 116, Huntsville, TX 77320, (936) 295-6401
- La Quinta Inn Huntsville Placement on map is approximate
124 Interstate 45 N Huntsville, TX 77320,
Get Directions(800) 531-5900
- Comfort Suites, 631 I-45 South, Huntsville, TX, (936) 436-9600
St. Thomas Catholic Church is selling Pilgrimage for Life T-shirts to help cover their parish costs for the event. Click here for an order form with the t-shirt design.
Priests and Deacons wishing to concelebrate or assist with Mass should contact Maria Huemmer at (512) 339-9882 or maria@txcatholic.org
Pilgrimage Update
We are expecting over 500 pilgrims to gather in Huntsville for the Pilgrimage for Life. To accommodate this large number of participants we have changed some of the specific details for the day in order to better accommodate everyone and adhere, as closely as possible, to the schedule set forth in the Participant Information.
First of all, we encourage participants to arrive promptly to the Walker County Fairgrounds. The bus shuttle to the parish will begin at 8:00 a.m. The majority of St. Thomas’ chapel is already reserved for clergy, visiting Catholic School students, and Diocesan staff. The parish hall, which seats 100, will also be available for overflow seating. However, based on our current participant estimates, we anticipate that we will have an additional overflow of about 200 participants who will be outside. There will be tents and speakers set up outside so that participants can still hear the Mass inside. Holy Communion will be distributed to those outside. The 10-day forecast currently shows a 40% chance of rain and the possibility of scattered thunderstorms. Please be sure to check the weather forecast and be prepared.
After Mass, we will begin boarding shuttles to the Planned Parenthood for those participating in the walk. There are some buses that will only load Catholic School students, so please be sure to only board buses assigned for "General Public.” Staff will be present at the parish to help direct you to the buses.
Once a few shuttles have unloaded at the Planned Parenthood, the Cardinal and Bishops will lead with an opening prayer and then begin the walk and the Rosary for Life (which will be available in your worship aids). Shuttles will continue to unload and those participants will receive an opening blessing and be asked to join the walk. At the Walls unit, there will be a closing blessing. Shuttles will then be available to transport participants back to the parish or to the Walker County Fairgrounds. The parish will have bag lunches available for a small donation.
Depending on when you load the shuttles out to the Planned Parenthood, there is a possibility that you may not reach the prison at the end of the walk until 12:15-12:45. Shuttles will be available from there to take participants back to the parish for the luncheon, or directly to the Walker County Fairgrounds. Students will have a priority in loading the shuttles, as they will need to be back at their schools in time for dismissal.
If the possibility of a 30 to 45-minute delay may drastically affect your plans, we welcome you to participate in adoration at the parish, which will begin 10 to 15 minutes after Mass. During adoration, participants will pray the Rosary for Life, identical to that which will be prayed by those who are walking.
If we have any additional updates, we will post them on our Pilgrimage web site here.
Promote the Pilgrimage
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