This month’s Bucket List will take you to the cathedral for one of the most joyous events of the year that isn’t a feast, on a pilgrimage, and to Clermont County for a special outdoor Mass:

• One of the biggest non-feast days of the church year
• A set of walking pilgrimages for groups and individuals
• An outdoor cemetery Mass at one of the area’s oldest churches

Go: See our priests be ordained

Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains
325 W. 8th Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 421-5354
Stpeterinchainscathedral.org

Ordination Mass: 11 a.m., May 19

Recommended by: St. Joseph, North Bend, parishioner Tina Geers: “It will change the way you see your pastor, your vicar, or any other ordained clergy that you encounter.” Parts of the ordination Mass come from the earliest days of the church. The new priests famously prostrate themselves before the altar and promise to obey the archbishop, before concelebrating Mass for the first time with the archbishop.

The joyous Mass is accompanied by the cathedral choir and always crowded with friends and family; it’s best to arrive early to find a seat. Another little-known tradition: After greeting the seminarians following Mass, the new priests head to the cathedral undercroft for a reception with family well-wishers, where they give “first blessings” to all who ask for them.

Do: Take a Pilgrimage of Faith hike

Pilgrimageoffaith.org

Recommended by Lorrie McNickle, a parishioner at St. Ann, Groesbeck: “I think it would be an awesome group outing, but they don’t seem to be very well known.” Prepared for area Boy Scout troops by John Kennedy, the eight existing trails (more are planned) range from five to 15 miles and help groups or individual walkers turn hikes into pilgrimages by stopping to pray at area churches. No fees or permissions are required. Downloadable maps and trail guides for each hike, a prayer book, and pilgrimage suggestions are available at the Pilgrimage of Faith website.

Worship: Memorial Day Mass at St. Philomena

Stonelick-Williams Corner Rd.
Stonelick Township, Ohio 45103
(513) 732-2218
Stlparish.org

Recommended by: Julie Scott, a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Withamsville: “Mass is next to the cemetery – the sun rises and shines through the trees, and after Mass there is a brief gun and flag salute. It’s a lovely event, like going back in time.” The annual Mass at Clermont County’s oldest Catholic Church has been held as long as anyone remembers. A spokesperson for the parish said the “Mass in the Grass” is held at 8:30 on the morning of Memorial Day. The local American Legion post decorates the graves of veterans and, after the Mass, makes a brief presentation and salute. “Bring lawn chairs,” she said, “and there’s a potluck breakfast too – all are welcome.”

Memorial Day Mass on the Grass: 8:30 a.m.

Rain location for Mass: St. Philomena Church
(salute will remain at the cemetery, if possible)

For a slideshow of The Catholic Telegraph Bucket List, click below:

Click here to download a Bucket List page to print out: Bucket list 5 2018

For the January Bucket List click here

For the February Bucket List click here

For the March Bucket List click here

For the April Bucket List click here

Suggest an item for our Bucket List! Email your suggestions to [email protected].

The entire Map of the 2018 Archdiocese of Cincinnati Bucket List: