Seminarians celebrate a successful pilgrimage

The 2012 "To the Heart of the Diocese through the Heart of Christ" seminarian pilgrimage was a huge success inspiring people along the way and building fraternity among the seminarians and discerners.

Thanks to everyone who participated in making this pilgrimage a momentous event for all involved!

Pilgrimage culminates on Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Christ, June 15th

The last day of the pilgrimage begins at St. Augustine Cathedral with Bishop Emeritus James A. Murray celebrating.

After Mass the seminarians enjoy fellowship with St. A's parishioners and Deacon Evelio shares his vocations story. Before going on to Newman's Bookshoppe the seminarians go to Cathedral for Morning Prayer:

And then stop in at the Diocesan Pastoral Center to meet various staff members...

Here's a recap of the day:

Now it's off to St. Joseph Parish on Lake Street in Kalamazoo...

3 more miles to go....

And they finish!! 65 miles...

More highlights to come....

Three parish stops on Thursday

Seminarians began the day with parishioners at St. Ambrose Parish in Parchment.

On the way to St. Mary's the seminarians stop at Mt. Olivet to pray for all the faithful in the Diocese:

Time to walk to St. Mary's Parish in Kalamazoo

The pilgrimage takes a popsicle break in Bronson Park, Kalamazoo:

Now it's time to go to St. Thomas More Student Parish near the campus of Westerna Michigan University:

 Michelle Smith from the diocesan Vocations Office helps prepare the informational table which includes prayer cards and info on how to pledge.

Soaking in the beauty on Gull Lake

After a jam-packed day of walking around Kalamazoo and Augusta the seminarians took in the beauty of the gorgeous Michigan sunset over Gull Lake.

The journey continues...June 13th recap

Wednesday was a busy day for the seminarians who began with a stop in Bronson Park to pray the Angelus and were joined by members of the Diocesan Pastoral Center staff. Check out the photos on the Diocesan Facebook Page:


The group then continued on to walking to Nazareth on Gull Road in Kalamazoo but stopping to pray along the way...

Jose, Paul and Deacon Daniel Hyman share thoughts on the pilgrimage while walking ...

Soon they were at Nazareth and welcomed by our beloved Sister Max!...

At Nazareth the seminarians toured the impressive archives and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the Chapel...

After Nazareth they were able to stop in and visit with the staff at Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo:

Now it was time to continue on to Augusta and stop in at St. Ann's Parish ...

The group enjoyed their time at St. Ann's ...

On Thursday it was time to head back to Kalamazoo...

Paul, Ben, Evelio and Jose share thoughts on pilgrimage

Our roving reporter Anthony Gettig caught up with seminarians Paul, Ben, Evelio and Jose who share thoughts on the first few days of the 2012 Diocesan Seminarian Pilgrimage.

Seminarians stop at St. Monica Parish for Mass and Fellowship

Tuesday evening the seminarians pilgrimage brought them to St. Monica Parish in Kalamazoo where they celebrated Mass enjoying music by Fr. Consani and fellowship with parishioners afterwards.

Monday evening stops at St. John Bosco and St. Mary Parishes

Seminarians continued their pilgrimage with stops at St. John Bosco in Mattawan and St. Mary Parish in Paw Paw...

After a good night's sleep the seminarians board the bus to head back to St. John Bosco

At St. John Bosco they are joined by Fr. Fabio Garzon, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Hartford and Mr. Mike Duffy.

At the center of the pilgrimage is time spent in prayer...

Next stop St. Monica Parish, Kalamazoo...

Praying at a park along the way...

Deacon Dan Hyman who will be ordained on June 23rd leads the men in pray at a small park along the way...

Diocesan seminarians joined by a few discerners stopped at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Portage Sunday evening.

Michelle Smith, Office of Vocations and seminarian Paul Redmond speak with a parishioner about sponsoring the pilgrimage...http://www.dioceseofkalamazoo.org/

Paul Bogan talks about the excitement of the pilgrimage so far...

Next stops...St. John Bosco in Mattawan and then St. Mary Parish, Paw Paw....stay tuned!

Deacon Daniel Hyman discusses the 2012 Pilgrimage.

Deacon Evelio Ramirez offers his insight (in Spanish).

First stop Sunday morning: St. Martin of Tours, Vicksburg:

Welcome to the 2012 Seminarian Pilgrimage! To the Heart of the Diocese through the Heart of Christ!

The 65 mile pilgrimage began with a Mass with Bishop Bradley at St. Augustine Cathedral Saturday, June 9th.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C9CaLXWOnU&feature=plcp