By Dan McCarty • Posted April 3, 2025

Four Delco parishes have come together to celebrate Lent on Tuesday evenings as “Pilgrims of Hope, Walking with Jesus and Mary,” the title for this year’s series.

Participating parishes include Holy Cross in Springfield, Our Lady of Peace in Milmont Park, St. Madeline in Ridley Park and St. Joseph in Collingdale.

Each week’s sessions include prayers, featured  speakers, and benediction.

It began Tuesday, March 18 at Holy Cross marking the parish’s first year taking part in this series. It resumed March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, at Our Lady of Peace. To mark this solemnity, Deacon Jim Basilio talked specifically about the role of Mary, the Mother of God. Father Joseph McCaffrey, pastor, spoke about St. Joseph, husband of Mary, who is also remembered in March. Finally, Deacon Bill Koniers addressed the Jubilee of Hope.

“It’s beautiful to be able to celebrate this feast with you,” said Father McCaffrey.

He recalled how last year the Annunciation was celebrated on April 8,  the same day that a total solar eclipse made its way across North America.

As chaplain of Archbishop Carroll High School in Radnor, Father McCaffrey and the other members of the Carroll community watched as, metaphorically like Mary, the “most high” overshadowed them.

“To be overshadowed is very humbling,” he said. “To be overshadowed indicates that you yourself did wonderful things beyond expectations but you were overshadowed. Someone exceeded the limits, the goals you set for yourself.”

St. Joseph was overshadowed as well. He intended to marry Mary and start a family with her. Nevertheless, God had plans for him to have a “holy” family.

Joseph himself had to comprehend what that meant as he took Mary into his home to support his family. He continues to inspire families of today.

“God’s will can be accomplished by imitating St. Joseph,” said Father McCaffrey.

The Annunciation occurred when Mary, as a 14-year-old woman, was confronted by the angel Gabriel who  told her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the second person of the Blessed Trinity.

“She was stunned,” said Deacon Basilio. “She was serene, fearful and anxious.”

Despite her doubts, Mary said “yes.” She is the model that people are called to follow as she did when she said “yes.”

“My brothers and sisters, may our path lead us to Jesus through Mary,” said Deacon Basilio.

Deacon Koniers talked about how a jubilee year offers Catholics opportunities for renewal and indulgences. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, an indulgence removes temporal punishment from sin.

“Temporal punishment remains with us even after going to confession,” said Deacon Koniers.

How can one obtain a jubilee indulgence? Traveling to the four major basilicas in Rome is one such way. Closer to home, making a pilgrimage to a designated shrine  in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and other ecclesiastical areas is a way to obtain an indulgence. Anyone without the means to visit a shrine in person can practice the works of mercy.

In addition to the weekly gatherings of the four Delaware County parishes this Lent, people are welcome to come to Our Lady of Peace Church every Tuesday following 8:30 a.m. Mass for adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“We have all-day adoration of peace every Tuesday,” said Father McCaffrey.

The Lenten series will continue on April 1 at St. Madeline.