By Ms. Nicole Perque, Coordinator of Advancement, Archbishop Shaw High School
(Marrero, LA – August 21) – Pilgrims were encouraged by government officials to attend rallies at various locations to participate in the two-day spiritual journey along the route on Thursday, August 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary.
“The mighty Mississippi, once named the River of the Immaculate Conception, has been a blessing to our great state with all types of industry, commerce, worship and recreation occurring on its waters and along its banks,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a press release.
Landry declared the procession is “a historic moment in our state, highlighting the strong faith of our people and giving us an opportunity to ask God for his protection.”
As part of the Fête pilgrimage, four mobile confessionals with confession teams were on-site at each stop of the procession: Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, Donaldsonville, Convent, Reserve, Luling and the Audubon Fly.
The final rally was held at the Fly in Audubon Park. Father Nile Gross, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in New Orleans and professor at Notre Dame Seminary, spoke first, followed by the recitation of the Rosary and a blessing.
After the blessing, the steamboat Natchez took its place behind the Eucharist boat, boarded with adorers for the last “holy hour” on the river of the two-day procession.
Students from dozens of Catholic schools around the state participated in the pilgrimage at the French Quarter, including Archbishop Shaw High School, which handed out water to attendees, and St. Matthew the Apostle Elementary, which transported more than 100 middle school students to the banks of the river in River Ridge.
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