Priory Preserve Pilgrimage 2024
June 22 @ 8:00 am - 10:30 am
Join us for a Pilgrimage at the Priory Preserve!
Inspired by Modern Catholic Pilgrim, St. Paul's Monastery led a 1.5 mile pilgrimage through the Priory Preserve last year to great success. The Preserve is former property of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Paul's Monastery and now owned and managed by the City of Maplewood Parks & Recreation. Oblate Janie O'Connor worked with the City of Maplewood to create an exceptional nature interpretive guide. The Monastery worked with the City of Maplewood last year to incorporate this guide into a prayer walk that stationally engages Sacred Scripture, the Rule of Benedict, Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, and song. All journeying together as community, as individual pilgrims seeking God on the way!
So, what can you expect?
Plan to arrive by 7:45am at the Monastery (there is plenty of parking!). We will join the Sisters in the chapel for Morning Prayer. As a gift to all pilgrims, the Sisters will bless us before we make the brief walk from the Monastery to the entrance to the Priory Preserve.
The pilgrimage itself will begin shortly after 8:45am when all have gathered at the entrance to the Priory Preserve. The trail is NOT paved but it is groomed. Be aware of your own physical ability, bring hiking poles if needed, dress appropriately, bring water. The trail is 1.5 miles long with 12 stops. At each stop we will pause in silence, pray together, hear the words of scripture and Pope Francis' guidance on the stewardship of creation, hear about Benedictine values through the Rule, and sing together.
The pilgrimage lasts about 90 minutes or longer given the pace of the group. Pilgrims are welcome to also register to join the Sisters for Mass (this is the 76th anniversary of the Founding of this Monastery) and also register to join the Sisters for a FANTASTIC cookout meal on the courtyard near the statue of St. Benedict.
