June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION February 2016 Issue

FEBRUARY 2016 VOL Parish Hosts Year of Mercy Pilgrimage In celebration of the Year of Mercy, some VOL parishioners recently visited three holy places designated as Pilgrimage Sites by Archbishop Aymond. The day began with Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral, with Fr. Daniel Green, our Parochial Vicar, as Celebrant. Participants were then treated to a very informative tour of the Cathedral, which included historical facts, descriptions of stained glass windows, and other little-known tidbits. Next on the pilgrimage was the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. Participants toured the grounds and explored a new exhibit, "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Gifts: The Road to Sainthood." The tour guide shared information about several religious instrumental in expanding the Catholic faith in New Orleans, such as Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Venerable Henriette Delille, and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. The final stop was at the Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Shrine, which features a large collection of relics and memorabilia, including the original iron coffin which held his body. While there, pilgrims watched an 8-minute film about Blessed Seelos and were blessed with the cross given to him at ordination and used in his ministry by Fr. Harry Grille, Executive Director of the Shrine. A second pilgrimage to other locations is planned for April 30th. More details will be available at a later date. VOL Parishioners who attended the recent pilgrimage trip walk through the Holy Doors at the St. Louis Cathedral. A small shadow box houses a few of the many relics on display at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Shrine, designated as a Pilgrimage site by Archbishop Aymond. Exquisite hand-made lace adorns the edges of a cassock on display at the Old Ursuline Convent, one of the holy places designated as a Pilgrimage site by Archbishop Aymond. Pilgrims from Visitation of Our Lady Parish pause for a picture in front of the exquisite altar at Holy Name of Mary Church. Page 2

June 2018 SPECIAL EDITION February 2016 Issue | Page 2