St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish
On April 1st, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, over 70 pilgrims met at 8am at St. Bartholomew Mission Church in Bayfield, Colorado to kick-start their Holy Week celebrations with a half-day penitential walk to St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church in Ignacio. At the beginning of the walk, with the faithful gathered around the altar, Fr. Cesar Arras, CR, encouraged and reminded the people of the importance of Holy Week, the meaning of sacrifice, perseverance and holiness. After that, the priest blessed the two life-size crosses for the procession and in silence, all began their walk in the name of the Lord.
The procession was led by the Confirmation class who carried the 6 foot tall crosses. The group walked together, often stopping for brief moments to listen and pray the Stations of the Cross. Water, snacks and a portable toilet were available throughout the event. The day was sunny and mild as the pilgrims headed southwest, through the Southern Ute Indian reservation, on Rainbow Road and walked to St. Ignatius Parish, ten miles away. The participants ranged in aged, from an infant in a stroller to senior citizens. A pilgrim couple even brought their two leashed dogs to walk along. As people walked, some chatted and others prayed silently.
As pilgrims arrived to St. Ignatius Church, parishioners unable to do the walk due to age or physical impediments waited for pilgrims by the bell tower to hailed them as they arrived by ringing of the church bell to remind them that their pilgrimage had come to a conclusion and it was now the time to contemplate the Lord in his holy temple and thank him for all his goodness to towards us. For those still on the way, the sound coming out of the bell tower was like the encouraging voice of the Lord prompting them to keep going and not despair for he is near.
Our 2023 Penitential Walk was a true success. It offered the faithful of our three communities the opportunity to pray, meet new people and contemplate the beauty of God’s Creation. The event concluded with the people’s thanksgiving to God through the Eucharist. After the liturgical celebration all enjoyed homemade chicken soup, bread and some time in fellowship at the parish hall.
