PILGRIMAGE TO THE TRAPPIST MONASTERY ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
A monastery of the Cistercian order, where about 40 Trappist monks lead lives of Prayer, work, and sacred reading.
In view of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year (December 24, 2024 – January 6, 2026) and its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” St. Anthony’s parish will be going on pilgrimage to the Abbey of Gethsemane! A plenary indulgence is available for all those who travel (see 2025 Year of Jubilee – Diocese of Covington, for more information). One of the conditions for receiving this special grace is to go to Confession. We encourage everyone, but especially all pilgrims, to go to Confession during the 9-day Novena prior to our pilgrimage.

Here are some local Confession times for your convenience:
St. Anthony’s: Saturdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Holy Cross: Wednesdays 5:00 p.m.-5:45 p.m.; Saturdays 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
St. Agnes: Saturdays 9:00 a.m.
St. Pius X: Thursdays 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.; Saturdays 3:30 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays 5:00-5:45 p.m.; Saturdays 2:30-3:30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s in Cold Spring: Saturdays 8:30-8:55 a.m.; 9:30-10:00 a.m.; 4:00-4:50 p.m.
St. Joseph’s in Crescent Springs: Saturdays 9:30 a.m.
Our Pilgrimage will also include a visit to the Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. Thomas Merton was a writer and the most influential Trappist Monk who resided at the Abbey. His writings include such classics as “The Seven Storey Mountain,” “New Seeds of Contemplation,” and “Zen and the Birds of Appetite.” Merton is the author of more than 70 books that include poetry, personal journals, collections of letters, social criticism, and writings on peace, justice, and ecumenism. Today, there is still an International Thomas Merton Society!!

Itinerary:
• Leave at 7:00 a.m. via bus
• Arrive at Abbey around 9:30 a.m. A brother will give us an introduction to their life
• Mass from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. by Fr. Ivan
• Walks and private prayer
• Leave approximately at 2:15 p.m.
• Bellarmine University Library tour from 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., which involves a display on Thomas Merton
• Return home at approximately 6:00 p.m.

REMEMBER: Lunch is on your own, don’t forget to bring a box lunch.
We have a few seats available if you would like to join us!! You can sign up via Flocknote through midnight on September 19. The cost is $50.00.
Please pray this "Nine-Day Jubilee Prayer Novena" to be recited each day from September 12-20, 2025 with the Pilgrimage on September 20).