Holy Year Pilgrimages to Rome Hundreds of pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Newark are expected to visit Rome with millions of other Catholics to commemorate 2,000 years of Christianity. The Archdiocese is sponsoring four official pilgrimages to the Eternal City during Jubilee 2000. Parishioners in the 238 parishes of the Archdiocese are invited to mark the new millennium by organizing a parish contingent and joining one or more of the pilgrimages. The first of the pilgrimages will be from February 26 to March 5, 2000. Three others will follow it that year: on June 16-26 during the Eucharistic Congress, on August 12-20 for World Youth Day and on October 21-29 for World Mission Day. Director of Pilgrimages for the Archdiocese, Monsignor Richard F. Groncki, said the foundation for pilgrimages could be found in the holy scripture. "We know that one of the first Holy journeys was when David and his followers took the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and later to the Temple." In modern times, Msgr. Groncki said, the purpose of a pilgrimage is to venerate a sacred object, to be in the presence of a holy person, to do penance or to offer thanksgiving in return for graces received. The year 2000 is of particular importance because Pope John Paul II has declared it a Jubilee Year in celebration of the 2000th Anniversary of the birth of Christ. According to Catholic tradition Jubilee Years are a time to reconcile with God and to receive favor and blessings from Him. Msgr. Groncki remarks, "this is not only a new decade or a new century, but a new millennium commemorating Jesus' birth. That makes it all the more significant and a cause for celebration." The Archdiocesan-sponsored pilgrimages will last nine days and include spiritual programs and tours, including a tour to Assisi, and non stop chartered flights. The median cost for the pilgrimages is $1499.00 and varies by season, class of service and hotel category. For more information call Regina Tours at 1-800-228-4654.
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