Station Churches of Mercer County is a time of pilgrimage during Lent
February 23, 2023 at 6:57 p.m.
Every year during Lent, Catholics living in Rome made an ancient pilgrimage to the basilicas and churches located throughout the city. A different “station church” was designated each day for Catholics from around the city to gather for Mass early in the morning as a visible reminder of the unity of the Church.
This Lenten season, Catholic parishes in Mercer County are once again adapting the Roman tradition, which traces its roots as far back as the late second and early third century, by inviting others to visit their churches and celebrate evening Mass during Lent.
“The Station Churches of Mercer County is an opportunity for us to glean a bit of history as we make our way to the various churches throughout the county,” said Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and episcopal vicar for Mercer County.
“As we move from church to church, we can imagine the thousands of people who have journeyed to these churches especially during the Lenten season to offer the prayer and worship. We can unite our prayers with theirs and join our voices with this great crowd of witnesses who over the past 200 years have found many ways to give glory to God, and public witness to their Catholic faith,” said Msgr. Apoldite. “During this Lenten season, we can intensify our resolve to be a sign of unity and an instrument of peace in Mercer County and throughout the world.”
Msgr. Apoldite reflected on the Mercer County parishes that are participating in the 2023 pilgrimage, saying that each church has a special history and its own particular treasures.
“Each has been the place of Baptisms, Confirmations, weddings, funerals and a place where countless numbers have encountered God,” he said. “The churches are welcome to plan out their evening as they wish. Join in as many visits you are able, asking God’s blessing on all who journey with you through this Lenten pilgrimage of 2023.”
The pilgrimage will conclude with the celebration of the Chrism Mass on the Monday of Holy Week, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.
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Every year during Lent, Catholics living in Rome made an ancient pilgrimage to the basilicas and churches located throughout the city. A different “station church” was designated each day for Catholics from around the city to gather for Mass early in the morning as a visible reminder of the unity of the Church.
This Lenten season, Catholic parishes in Mercer County are once again adapting the Roman tradition, which traces its roots as far back as the late second and early third century, by inviting others to visit their churches and celebrate evening Mass during Lent.
“The Station Churches of Mercer County is an opportunity for us to glean a bit of history as we make our way to the various churches throughout the county,” said Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, and episcopal vicar for Mercer County.
“As we move from church to church, we can imagine the thousands of people who have journeyed to these churches especially during the Lenten season to offer the prayer and worship. We can unite our prayers with theirs and join our voices with this great crowd of witnesses who over the past 200 years have found many ways to give glory to God, and public witness to their Catholic faith,” said Msgr. Apoldite. “During this Lenten season, we can intensify our resolve to be a sign of unity and an instrument of peace in Mercer County and throughout the world.”
Msgr. Apoldite reflected on the Mercer County parishes that are participating in the 2023 pilgrimage, saying that each church has a special history and its own particular treasures.
“Each has been the place of Baptisms, Confirmations, weddings, funerals and a place where countless numbers have encountered God,” he said. “The churches are welcome to plan out their evening as they wish. Join in as many visits you are able, asking God’s blessing on all who journey with you through this Lenten pilgrimage of 2023.”
The pilgrimage will conclude with the celebration of the Chrism Mass on the Monday of Holy Week, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, 61 Georgia Rd., Freehold.