VENTNOR – Dozens of faithful turned out for the Diocese’s VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services’ intergenerational walk and day of fellowship – “The Way of Saint James: On the Road of Life” – April 30 along the boardwalk.
“What a beautiful day God’s given us,” said Deacon Jerry Jablonowski, executive director of VITALity, referring to the sunny, 50-degree day with minimal clouds and breeze.
About 115 women and men were present for the morning prayer, a 2.5 mile looped stroll on the Ventnor boardwalk, Mass at Holy Trinity Parish’s Saint James Church and lunch on the Saint James campus.
Inspired by the Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, a 500-mile path through France and Spain that attracts pilgrims seeking to experience the presence of God, the Ventnor walk provided a day for gathering, prayer and reflection closer to home.
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, old friends were reunited, new friends made and familial bonds tightened.
“It was a good chance to bond and spend time one-on-one with my grandmother,” said 15-year-old Kaylee Johnson, next to her father’s mother, Mary Johnson.
From the Glassboro and Franklinville areas, the two enjoyed each other’s company, the ocean and the chance to join their prayer intentions with the other attendees’ in a fisherman’s net that was offered up to God during the liturgy.
“I prayed for sick neighbors, friends, and for my family and unity” in the world, Mary said, while Kaylee’s intentions were for Ukraine, “especially for its suffering children.”
Mary walked the boardwalk, praying the Rosary; Kaylee ended up running, “soaking up the sun, the beach, the environment and God’s creation.”
After the walk, each participant received their own scallop shell, similar to how pilgrims are guided on the Camino de Santiago. As well, Camino pilgrims will wear or carry these shells, indicating that they are a traveler on the way. The shell symbolizes the hand of God bringing pilgrims to the sacred space, just as ocean waves bring the scallop shells to shore.
The Ventnor pilgrims returned to their own communities after a blessed day together, but their prayers and intentions while engaged in physical and spiritual exercise will continue to be remembered in the days to come, said Deacon Jablonowski, adding that the prayer net will visit parish senior centers throughout the diocese.
Participants’ “intentions will live beyond today and continue to be prayed for,” he said.
“God is here … on the boardwalk, on the beach, in the church,” he concluded.
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