Churches/Sites
Cathedral of St. Raymond
Adoration until 10pm
University of St. Francis
Marian Grotto
#4 on the MAIN CAMPUS FACILITIES
AND PARKING MAP on this link
Outside- no Adoration.
Reflect on Mary's sorrow during the passion.
Pray the Hail Mary three times
Queen of Apostles
Main campus (previously St. Paul’s)
Adoration closes at 11:45
Queen of Apostles,
East campus (previously St. Patrick’s)
Adoration until midnight
St. John the Baptist
Adoration until midnight
St. Joseph
Adoration until midnight
St. Mary Nativity
Adoration until 11pm
901 Elizabeth St., Joliet
Adoration until 11pm
Holy Thursday
Seven Churches Pilgrimage
April 17, 2025
Prepare: It may be helpful to take a minute to decide your program for the evening. Decide on a route. Are you meeting others at those places, traveling solo, or just with a few other people in your car?
You do not have to pick seven churches exactly- that is simply the tradition because there are seven basilicas in Rome. But, given the seven moments of scripture offered here, consider at least observing those with other "stops" like at your front door, in your living room, and the final one before you go to bed. Or, return to the Cathedral to end the night, knowing that the doors close at 10pm- think about being left outside.
Will one of you read the scripture reflection out loud as you travel, or at the entrance of each church?
There are questions for reflection at each visitation, but they are only suggestions. Discuss or reflect as you feel led.
Music- consider playing a song as you travel. There's something about repetition- hearing the same verse or chorus a few times over and over. Two suggestions, Stay With Me, Were You There
BEGINNING TOGETHER
At the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus:
Reader 1: There are seven basilicas in Rome. It is believed that St. Philip Neri would take groups of people to each of those places in the evening on Holy Thursday to “keep watch” after Jesus’ arrest, thus initiating this tradition of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage.
Reader 2: Whether we move around to seven churches exactly, or even churches at all this evening, we travel with purpose, and reflect on Jesus’ movements through his night. Let us each ask that the Holy Spirit lead our hearts as we hear the words of Scripture, spend time in quiet in front of the Eucharist, and maybe talk with those with whom we are traveling.
Reader 3: The altars are bare, the holy water fonts emptied, and the Eucharist is placed in an Altar of Repose this evening in all the churches we visit. Despite the emptiness and difference tonight, God is with us. Jesus lives. We do not despair because we know the Resurrection has already happened. And that scripture will be re-proclaimed in due time.
Reader 4: But for now, let us walk with Jesus. And we ask you, Jesus, stay with us as we stay with you and pray through this night.
Amen
Visitation #1
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Luke 22:39-46
How is your own prayer life? Do you spend time in prayer- talking or listening? Asking or thanking? Do you pray for others when they ask you to do so? Do you ask others to pray for you?
Visitation #2
Jesus before Annas
Did Annas actually question Jesus to get the truth? Was he seeking the honest answer? Or did he question Jesus to trap or trick him? Was he even listening? Do you listen? Do you decide someone's intentions or thoughts before you truly understand them?
Visitation #3
Jesus before Caiaphas
Matthew 26:63-65
We know that Caiaphas was wrong about accusing Jesus of blasphemy. We know that now. Are you humble enough to admit when you are wrong? Do you apologize when you are wrong even if it doesn't seem to hurt someone?
Visitation #4
Jesus before Pilate
"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice," Jesus says in this passage.
Visitation #5
Jesus before Herod
Herod mocked Jesus just like so many other people. Totally disregarded God in front of him. Couldn't see God in front of him. How can you look harder to see God in the unimpressive, underwhelming, disappointing, problematic people right in front of you?
Visitation #6
Jesus before Pilate again
Matthew 27:22-26
Pilate, the guy who said he found no guilt in Jesus... the final guy who could have stood up for what was right, chose to give in to the will of the crowd. Do you?
Visitation #7
Jesus’s crucifixion and death
Holy Thursday Pilgrimage
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Holy Thursday, Seven Churches Pilgrimage
Mass for Holy Thursday, or Mass of the Lord's Supper begins a very unique period in the Catholic liturgical year. It is a three-day period of it's own known as the Triduum. The events that take place over these three days, from this Mass through to the Easter Vigil are considered one continuous liturgy.
the Tabernacle is emptied. All Holy Water is removed from the church until it is replaced with Easter Water after the Easter Vigil. Enough hosts should be consecrated for distribution at today's Eucharist and Good Friday's Liturgical Service.
The most distinctive element of this Eucharist is the Washing of the Feet or mandatum. "The element of humble service has accentuated the celebration of the foot washing rite in the United States. In this regard, it has become customary in many places to invite both men and women to be participants in this rite in recognition of the service that should be given by all the faithful to the church and to the world. The liturgy is always an act of ecclesial unity and Christian charity of which the Holy Thursday foot - washing rite is an eminent sign" (BCL, Secretariat, 1987).
Following the Prayer after Communion, the Holy Eucharist is transferred in a ciborium to a place of reposition. The Holy Eucharist should not be placed in a monstrance for adoration, or left exposed.
The faithful should be encouraged to adore the Holy Eucharist for a suitable period of time during the night, but "after midnight the adoration should take place without solemnity" (Roman Missal). The Eucharist remains at the place of repose without adoration and ornamentation until the Communion Rite of the Celebration of the Lord's Passion.
