By Jessica Easthope
The Diocese Of Brooklyn’s Pilgrimage officially began on Ash Wednesday at the Cathedral Basilica of St James. Parishioners launched their applications, a digital component to a Lenten journey that starts here but can reach every corner of the globe.
“There’s a section here called prayer intentions and you’re able to submit your own prayer intention and I think that’s a lovely way to connect with fellow Catholics and there’s a like button but it’s a prayer button and you tap on it and see that people prayed for you,” said Tim Dieterichs, a participant of the Lent Pilgrimage. “That’s my favorite part of the app.”
Dieterichs and Edgar Ochoa downloaded their apps after Mass on Wednesday, Feb. 14th, and got started, hoping to make as many churches as they can.
“That’s one of the things that attracted me to it, I always like going to new churches whether there’s a service or not,” Ochoa said. “So I’m hoping I can discover other ones and that’s one thing I’m hoping I can do this Lenten season.”
Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan is hoping people check in on the app, but during his homily said Lent is a time to check in with Jesus and leave behind all of the things that distract us from our relationship with him.
“Visiting those churches in digital, kind of way being united with one another, but it’s something new and something interesting, using modern technology to do traditional things,” Bishop Brennan said.
The app can serve as a digital diary this lent, and for Father Joseph Gibino the vicar for evangelization and catechesis, it’s a way to get in tune with your faith.
“Today we remember that prayer is the first wireless connection so even though we’re using an app and our cell phones,” Father Gibino said. “It’s the power of prayer directly to God that is so important and our hearts become the cell phone for our prayer our open hearts to the Lord.”
This year’s pilgrimage is dedicated to Sister Maryann Ambrose who made it to every stop last year. She was there Wednesday to kick start her journey, this time the sacrifice will be much harder.
“Last year it was a challenge and in August I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer so it’s a true pilgrimage,” Sister Maryann said. “Lent is a whole new journey this year. I have all of Brooklyn and Queens on my list. My oncologist said you plan your journey and we’ll work around it.”
You can download that Lenten Pilgrimage app now.
Just search “lenten pilgrimage” on the app or google play store, and you can prepare for your journey across Brooklyn and Queens.