Our Brother Knights from the Vestal Council graciously allowed a couple of us from Endicott to tag along. We set out from Our Lady of Sorrows parking lot 3/31 at 1:30pm. We had a fun time locating our hotel in Washington D.C. approximately 8:00pm and had dinner at Union Station about 9:30pm. Our Brother Knight Joe took us for a brief tour of DC and then proceeded to get us misplaced when we where going back to the hotel. I won't tell you how many times we went by Union Station. We could see the Basilica from our hotel and if we were birds we could get there no problem.
4/1/00 the big day. We had the van packed and ready to go to the Basilica, but before we do lets take a picture of our pilgrims.
We met some brother knights from Plattsburg N.Y. they had arrived earlier the day before and actually where able to see D.C. in the light. They wanted to follow us to the Basilica, great the blind leading the blind, luckily we met a kind gentleman who was heading over near there and allowed us to follow him.
Arrival time has arrived here is our first view of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Some minor trivia for those who don't know, the Bell tower on the left was purchased by the Knights. We found a place to park and then went to find the cafeteria, yes they do have a cafeteria. After a little breakfast we took a brief look around. They have a exhibit dedicated to the Shroud of Turin. Unfortunately I really didn't have much time to read much but hear is a shot of a Crucifix that I believe was part of the exhibit.
Meditating on this is a must especially during Lent. Jesus, have Mercy on us.
We also saw the Crypt Church which can hold up to 400 people. We then went to the Upper Church and waited for the arrival of Bishop Daily. After the welcome address we began to get a satellite feed from Rome. Unfortunately some of us misread our schedules and went to lunch, I say unfortunately because one of the highlights that I really wanted to participate in was the Holy Rosary with our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. When we returned from lunch it was just ending. So I said the Rosary to myself with a couple of others from our group in The Miraculous Medal Chapel.
Our timing may have been off but I'm sure it didn't matter to Our Lady. After our quiet meditation we took a brief tour of the Great Upper Church and most of the Chapels. Here is just one of the Pictures from Our Lady of Guadeloupe Chapel.
This was made from small tiles.
Of course the most glorious part of the day, Worshiping God in the Celebration of Mass. If you happened to be watching EWTN that day you had approximately the same view I did. See I was one of many Celebrating Mass out doors and participating with the aid of a giant projection screen T.V. It made one proud to be a Knight to see so many that even a Basilica, that holds 6,000, couldn't fit us in. Here is a couple of pictures looking one way and then the other at the Color Corp. I heard there was up to 1000 in total regalia Unfortunately the van we had couldn't take our gear as well other wise we would be participating too.
God Bless.
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