Covington Lenten pilgrimage to return for fourth year — Mass, confession and adoration to be made available

Maura Baker

Staff Writer

For the fourth year, the annual Covington Lenten Pilgrimage will be returning. The pilgrimage, which consists of a 4.3-mile loop, takes pilgrims to five historic Covington churches — including St. Augustine Church, St. John the Evangelist Church, Mother of God Church, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St. Benedict Church. This year’s pilgrimage will take place March 28 — the Saturday before Palm Sunday — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, as in years past, the churches on the pilgrimage route will offer times for Mass, confession and adoration — all in preparation for the upcoming Holy Week. Among these opportunities is a Mass held at Mother of God Church at noon, and pilgrimage planning committees are working with parishes to have at least two confessors available and formal Benediction during the pilgrimage’s hours. According to Margie Springelmeyer, who helped establish the pilgrimage four years ago and continues to help coordinate to this day, the publicization of these opportunities is the “main goal” of the planning committee.

“It’s a beautiful opportunity for spiritual growth,” Ms. Springelmeyer said. “Capping off your Lenten journey and heading into Holy Week, it’s a perfect transition time.”

Ms. Springelmeyer invites prospective pilgrims to take the pilgrimage as an opportunity to “reflect on the six weeks of Lent” and bring that devotion to Covington’s five churches, even if they have already attended in years past.

“It’s not just about seeing the churches,” she said. “It’s about experiencing the Lord along your journey.”

Ms. Springelmeyer continued, saying, “We never stop coming before the Lord with what’s on our heart — and, to take a day like this and spend the day with him, with whatever intention it is that’s burning inside your heart each year … Each year makes it a new year when you experience the pilgrimag