Archbishop Tobin to lead pilgrimage to old California missions

Arches lining a walkway at Mission San Juan Batista in San Benito County, Calif., still stand after more than two centuries. The mission is one of six to be visited during an archdiocesan pilgrimage to California led by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin on Oct. 30-Nov. 4. (File photos by Carolyn Noone)

By Natalie Hoefer

To help Catholics in central and southern Indiana grow in faith and knowledge, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis offers pilgrimages to sites of historic or spiritual interest to the Catholic faith.

This fall, from Oct. 30-Nov. 4, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin will lead a pilgrimage to the missions of California for a glimpse of the places where the faith was spread along the west coast in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The pilgrimage will be coordinated by Grueninger Travel, which will also provide a travel escort for the six-day journey.

The pilgrims will take in six old Catholic missions from San Francisco to Carmel-by-the-Sea, including two established by newly canonized St. Junipero Serra. The archbishop will celebrate daily Mass, five of which will take place at the missions being visited. While in California, pilgrims will also enjoy such sites as the world famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, two wineries, a state park, several quaint, small towns along the coast, and more.

The pilgrimage begins with a flight from Indianapolis to San Francisco on Oct. 30. That afternoon, pilgrims will visit the mission of San Francisco de Asis—also known as Old Mission Dolores—founded by St. Junipero Serra in 1776. Archbishop Tobin will celebrate Mass at the mission, the oldest intact building in San Francisco.

The next day, pilgrims will enjoy several marvelous sites and sights, starting with a visit to Mission San Rafael Arcangel, where the archbishop will celebrate Mass. Founded in 1817, the mission once served as a hospital to Christianized Native Americans. The day also includes a trip to Mt. Tamalpais State Park. From the top of Mt. Tamalpais, visitors can take in the vista of San Francisco and the bay below. Time will also be spent at the Army Corp of Engineers Bay Model Visitors Center and the waterfront district, which grew during the Gold Rush era in the mid-19th century. Pilgrims will then have dinner in Chinatown.

On Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints, pilgrims will travel through the famous vineyards of Sonoma’s wine country. After Archbishop Tobin celebrates Mass at Mission San Francisco Solano, tours will be offered through the 1823 mission and around Sonoma’s town square. The group will then travel to Andretti Winery in Napa for a tour and wine tasting.

After a restful night in Napa, pilgrims will start their day with the archbishop for Mass at the Carmelite House of prayer, then travel to V. Sattui Winery for wine-tasting and lunch. The afternoon will be spent traveling to Monterey, where pilgrims will spend the night.

On Nov. 3, pilgrims will enjoy visiting two missions. The first, Mission San Juan Bautista, is located in San Benito County and was founded in 1797. Archbishop Tobin will celebrate Mass here, then the group will return to Monterey to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, voted “World’s Best Aquarium” by TripAdvisor in 2014.

In the afternoon, pilgrims will travel to Mission San Carlos Borromeo Del Rio Carmelo, founded by St. Junipero Serra in 1793 and the site of his remains. Time will be allowed for taking in the mission, as well as the shops of the small beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. A farewell dinner will be held in Monterey.

On the final day of the pilgrimage, Archbishop Tobin will celebrate Mass at Mission San Jose, established in 1797 in Fremont. Pilgrims will then travel back to San Francisco for the return flight to Indianapolis.

The trip includes roundtrip airfare from Indianapolis to San Francisco, lodging at first class hotels, two breakfasts, two dinners, one lunch, and all land travel and entrance fees.

The double-occupancy cost is $2,364, and the single-occupancy cost is $2,974. A deposit of $250 is required, with final payment due by July 15.

For more information, call Carolyn Noone at 317-236-1428 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1428, or by e-mail at cnoone@archindy.org.

To reserve a spot on the pilgrimage, contact Grueninger Travel at 317-581-1122 or 800-225-9919. †