The First Texas Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation

There were 70 participants who joined the first Texas Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation on May 24, 2025. The pilgrims celebrated the Laudato Si’ 10th Anniversary while being blessed by the special churches that the archdiocese chose for Jubilee pilgrimage sites.  The pilgrimage offered three options: an 8 mile walk from the Basilica of the Little Flower to San Fernando Cathedral, a mile walk from Confluence Park to San Fernando Cathedral, and San Fernando Cathedral with messages and closing prayer.

Father John, the Carmelite priest of Little Flower Basilica and also a Laudato Si’ Texas Chapter Animator, collaborated with various groups in the city of San Antonio. Saint Vincent de Paul volunteers gave away sandwiches and dry goods to the unhoused. The Earth Angels club from Saint Anthony Catholic High School, through their mentor and adviser Ms. Jacqulyn Estevez picked up trash from the start up to about five miles out. The pilgrims met some of the unhoused and one member of their community started picking up trash too. Everyone met in the end which is in San Fernando where we had a talk and blessing from Father John and, and prayer led by Linda Sandish, Laudato Si’ Texas Chapter Animator.