May 2008 Rosary Walk

Every Sunday, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton and her community of sisters would walk roughly two miles from Emmitsburg proper, in Joseph's Valley, to the outskirts - up Mary's Mountain. They would go to Mass at the mountain church, then visit the Grotto.

One of Mother Seton's favorite spots in the Emmitsburg area was the Grotto. When she first moved to the area in 1809, she and her sisters lived for six weeks near what is the present day entrance to the Grotto.

The Grotto was a place of relaxation, a weekly retreat following Sunday High Mass. Mother Seton would regularly catechize her boys and the local children beside the brook whilst sitting upon a large rock that came to be known as hers. Having brought their meal with them, the sisters would cook it, eat, pray and enjoy the splendor of the mountain.

In speaking of time spent there, Mother Seton wrote, "If you could breathe our mountain air and taste the repose of the deep woods and streams. Yesterday we all, about twenty children and sisters, dined in our grotto on the mountain, where we go Sundays for the divine office."

Well, now a days no one has to jump rocks to cross Tom's Creek to get to the Grotto when coming from the Seton Shrine. Nor do they get lost between the two sites. Yet it is still a bit of a hike. Roughly, two miles.

It was those two miles that 30 or so people walked today while praying the rosary. This is a biannual event, in May and October, organized by the chaplain of the Grotto.

The pilgrims were, for the most part, transported by University van from the Grotto to a drop-off point near the Seton visitors center.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Sprit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee.Blessed art thou among women,and blessed is the fruitof thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Although I never walked it myself, it certainly seems that the steps from campus up to the Grotto are the toughest part of the walk. Just the same the pilgrims arrived somewhat energized by having walked in the foot steps of a saint.