(RNS) — As the sun rose Thursday morning (Aug. 14), hundreds of Catholic sisters walked through downtown Atlanta as part of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious’ “Outdoor Pilgrimage of Hope.” From 7 to 8 a.m., approximately 470 participants prayed in unison along a 1.2-mile route, guided by readings, music and periods of contemplative silence.
The walkers paused at three locations, each dedicated to one of the key issues they prayed to heal — forced migration, climate change and racism.
Another 75 people joined virtually on Facebook Live from the assembly hall of the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, where the four-day conference of the association of leaders of American Catholic women’s congregations is being held this year.
With an Atlanta Police Department escort, as pilgrims paused the three times, their prayers echoed LCWR’s resolution and commitment to live out the challenges of the late Pope Francis’ “Laudato si’” environmental justice encyclical.
“This is an initiative that is happening throughout the United States as a means of welcoming a variety of people to engage in this year of Jubilee,” said Bridget Bearss, co-chair of the pilgrimage and LCWR’s associate director for transformative justice. “We are committed to deeply investing ourselves in being pilgrims on the journey on behalf of ‘Laudato si’,’ the themes of ‘Laudato si’.’”
Pope Fra …