In the footsteps of Jesus, faithful make seven churches pilgrimage

As the sun sets on Holy Thursday, churches across the country prepare for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, marking the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred Triduum, the three holiest day in the Catholic Church.

Many churches remain open after Mass for adoration and to allow Catholics the opportunity to participate in the tradition of the Seven Churches Visitation. Each church visited on Holy Thursday night represents one of the stops Jesus made between His Last Supper and His death: going to the garden in Gethsemane to pray, being brought before Annas upon his arrest, then being taken before Caiaphas, then to Pontius Pilate, then to Herod, then back to Pilate, and finally to Calvary where Jesus was crucified.

The Diocese of Buffalo saw over 50 parishes staying open as late as midnight to welcome the pilgrims. So worshippers remind in the church after Mass, others met in intimate darkened chapels. Good Shepherd Parish in Pendelton opened their Father Baker Room in their former school.  

Mark and Karen Molitor from Clarence have made the visitation a family tradition. This year they traveled from Our Lady Help of Christians in Cheektowaga to St. Mary in Swormville to Our Lady of Peace in Clarence and everywhere in between.

They do it for the “joy in seeing some of the architecture, seeing some of the sights, some of the older churches. It’s beautiful,” said Karen Molitor.

“And we get to pray,” added her husband.

While only being at one church that Thursday, Deacon Michael Ficorelli had the joy of participating in Mass at Our Lady of Czestochowa in North Tonawanda.

“This parish reminds me of my childhood parish,” he said, recalling the former St. Joseph’s in Niagara Falls. “There are such fond memories of being a child and learning to pray under the direction of the nuns and the priests. It brings me back to the roots of my faith where I first encountered Christ.”

He was joined on the OLC altar by four priests and five other deacons.

“That’s especially meaningful when you can gather with brother deacons and priests and just celebrate Mass knowing that God has chosen you to help spread the Gospel to His people. To bring the Eucharist to life for others. It’s a special calling when you get to share it with your brother clergyman; it just makes it that much more intense and meaningful.”