By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor
Those driving through Monmouth County on a recent Saturday morning may have been surprised to see nearly 35 young people, families and two men in long, black habits walking along the road carrying a six-foot banner depicting a man kneeling before the Blessed Mother and baby Jesus.
But imagine their surprise if they had realized they were witnessing a tradition that dates back nearly 500 years and to the genuflecting saint on the banner.
“It’s a charming event from the life of St. Philip,” said Brother Nicholas Dolan, a seminarian preparing for the priesthood for the Diocese and member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank.
Brother Nicholas, along with Father Alberto Tamayo, pastor, joined nearly 35 youngsters and their families Oct. 29 for a six-mile walking pilgrimage to area churches, sharing faith and camaraderie along the way, to kick off the parish’s new youth group. The event echoed the walk the 16th century Italian saint St. Philip Neri used to make – visiting seven pilgrimage churches in Rome with his fellow companions in order to come together in prayer and friendship.
“We thought this was a novel idea,” Brother Nicholas said. “You don’t usually take your faith and go walking into the streets with it.”
The day began with a blessing and walking through the Holy Doors in Holy Cross Church, Rumson, where the participants heard a short homily defining and explaining the history of a pilgrimage, before continuing throughout the morning to the parishes of Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven; St. James, Red Bank, and ending in St. Anthony of Padua. There were prayers and short homilies at the different churches given by each parish’s clergy, as well as time for snacks and games in Church of the Nativity Parish.
The homily in St. James Parish, for example, focused on the rich tradition of pilgrimages in faith, specifically the Camino de Santiago – the pilgrim walk to the shrine of the apostle St. James in northwestern Spain.
“A pilgrimage is not exactly a cakewalk,” Brother Nicholas said, explaining that Jesus’ pilgrimage was a walk to his Death, Resurrection and eventual Ascension. “A pilgrimage leads us to where we are meant to be – following in his footsteps wherever Jesus calls us to and whatever joys and suffering goes along with it. The whole goal is to arrive in heaven.”
Debbie Gaudino, a St. Anthony of Padua parishioner who walked with her family, agreed.
“Everyone learned so much from that,” she said. “We’re all on a journey, and the pilgrimage is just a reflection of that journey to heaven – a life of ups and downs. It is especially important for teens to hear that message because life can be tumultuous for them at times.”
Relationship Building
Along the way was camaraderie and fun but also a chance for the youth to speak with Father Tamayo and Brother Nicholas about faith and the priesthood.
“It was really all about forming a relationship with them,” Brother Nicholas said. “The intension was for them to have a good time while living their faith.”
Gaudino, who walked with her husband, 12-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son, said she found the pilgrimage peaceful – a time to shut off her cell phone and put life’s busyness behind.
“It was a great family activity … there were quite a few parishioners walking next to their children,” she said. “We were excited to share that time together.”
Brother Nicholas said bringing families together was one of the intentions not just of the pilgrimage, but the new youth group as well.
“The goal isn’t to take the kids away from their families, but to bring whole families to the faith,” he said.
The new group is called the Youth Oratory, referring to the special calling the clergy has to St. Philip Neri. Earlier this year, the clergy were named as principals of a new Oratory-in-Formation of St. Philip Neri that’s located in St. Anthony of Padua Parish. The Oratory was founded in the 16th century as a family style community of priests and brothers who live together, pray together and serve the people of God together. The Oratory is the clergy’s permanent home.
The Youth Oratory, formed in the spirit of St. Philip Neri, met for the first time Nov. 13. It is open not only to youth in grades eight through twelve, but their parents as well.
“The Youth Oratory is a way for young people and their families in our area to share in the spirituality and work of what the Red Bank Oratory fathers do,” Brother Nicholas said.
Faith in Family
The Youth Oratory meetings begin with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, discussion and faith sharing on that week’s Gospel and end with fun and games. Parents who attend with their children will often split into their own groups for faith sharing, too, Brother Nicholas said.
“That way, they are growing in their faith together, but also with their peers,” he said.
The group, which is open to anyone in the community, meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every second and fourth Sunday. On the first weekend of the month, the group will meet for an activity. For example, on Dec. 3, the group is going to Catholic Underground, New York City. In addition, the Youth Oratory will encourage any teen looking for more service opportunities to commit to a once-a-month act of service, which can be performed alone or with friends.
“That way, they’re learning to pray and practice charity in their life,” Brother Nicholas said.
Gaudino says her family plans to attend Youth Oratory meetings together.
“I think there’s a good mix of prayer, formation, service and fun activities,” she said.
Brother Nicholas said the walking pilgrimage was a good way to introduce the Youth Oratory to St. Philip Neri.
“This [pilgrimage] was something that he personally started on his own as a way that he loved to pray,” Brother Nicholas said. “Soon, he began simply inviting the young men of Rome to join him on his walks, and it was from these close relationships that St. Philip had with these young men that the communal prayer and work of the Oratory was born.”
For more information on the Youth Oratory, call the parish at (732) 747-0813 or email Debbie Gaudino at deborahgaudino@gmail.com.