Gardeners know that the success of their crops depends upon the richness of the soil in which the seed is planted, the quality of the water which spurs it to take root and the warmth of the sun which caresses it to flower.

Faith, too, depends upon these things. The family is where most children first encounter faith, where it is planted in good soil, where it takes root and is nurtured by attendance at Mass, recitation of the Rosary and Bible reading sessions.

Recognizing the importance of the family for a Catholic’s faith development, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., is extending a special invitation to families to join him on the biennial diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, Oct. 19. This year’s pilgrimage theme, “The Family as the Garden of Faith,” was specially chosen for this Year of Faith proposed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. The day-long, prayerfilled event promises to offer all members of the diocesan family, young and old, single and married, opportunities for prayer, reflection, reconciliation and fellowship. In an interview with The Monitor, Father Ian Trammell, diocesan pilgrimage coordinator and pastor of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, reflected upon the theme, noting, “The family, of course, is the basic unit of the Church and of society and the Church serves to support parents, whether they are married or divorced, in the raising of children in the faith.”

Msgr. Sam A. Sirianni, diocesan director of the Office of Worship, noted, “We want to encourage families to make the pilgrimage. As in past years, deacons of the diocese will be stationed at a variety of chapels on the level of the Upper Church and be available to pray over families.” Numerous opportunities for worship, prayer and contemplation by families will abound during the pilgrimage. En route to the shrine, busses of pilgrims from all four counties of the diocese will be led in the recitation of Morning Prayer and the Joyful and Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Upon their arrival at 11 a.m. the pilgrims will gather in the Great Upper Church where they will be welcomed and join in praying the Angelus and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.

The Sacrament of Penance will be available at 1:30 p.m. Throughout the day, families will have a chance to visit the various chapels located in the shrine’s Great Upper Church and receive a blessing. At 3 p.m., the day will conclude with the celebration of Mass by Bishop O’Connell and dozens of priests of the diocese.

Busses will depart Washington by 4:30 p.m. and on the way to New Jersey, Evening Prayer and the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary will be recited. Father Trammell, a member of the Diocesan Pilgrimage Planning Committee, offered family-themed words of encouragement on why faithful from the diocese should make the journey to Washington.

“We travel to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which we endearingly call ‘Mary’s House,’ and it is here we find Jesus in Mary’s House because she constantly leads us to her son,” he said.

Echoing the family theme of the upcoming pilgrimage, Father Kevin Kimtis, parochial vicar of St. Gregory the Great Parish, added, “A pilgrimage is a mini-sabbatical, a spiritual vacation. It’s time off with the Lord that is extended and it’s also enjoyable and fun. You are away from everything that is normally pressing in on you. A pilgrimage is freeing; it’s community-building because we meet people from around the diocese who are our brothers and sisters in faith.”

For further information on this God-centered family event, call 609-403-7160.