Seven Churches Pilgrimage

Holy Thursday – March 14, 2022 – from conclusion of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until Midnight

We invite you to participate this year in a centuries-old tradition of venerating at least seven Altars of Repose following Holy Thursday Masses by visiting the seven local churches listed below:

St. Peter, 216 Broadway, Jefferson City, MO
Immaculate Conception, 1206 E McCarty St, Jefferson City
Cathedral of St. Joseph – Adoration Chapel, 2305 W Main, Jefferson City
St. Andrew, 400 St. Andrew Dr, Holts Summit
St. Martin, 7148 Saint Martins Blvd, St. Martins, MO
St. Francis Xavier, 7319 Route M,, Taos, MO
St. Stanislaus, 6418 Route W, Wardsville

Click here for a Google Map of each location.

In Rome the custom is closely tied to visiting the seven major Roman basilicas. Catholics remember when Jesus asked His disciples to stay and watch with Him while they were in the garden. This tradition of mindful watching is a pilgrimage to various altars of repose, in different churches that correspond to each of the seven places, or “stations,” that were made by Jesus between the Last Supper in the Upper Room to His crucifixion on the cross.
At each of the seven stops, a brief meditation is made upon the events of the first Holy Thursday following the Last Supper:

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22: 39-46)
Jesus bound and taken before Annas (John 18: 19-22)
Jesus taken before the High Priest, Caiaphas (Matthew 26: 63-65)
Jesus taken before Pilate (John 18, 35-37)
Jesus taken before Herod (Luke 23: 8-9; 11)
Jesus taken before Pilate again (Matthew 27: 22-26)
Jesus crowned with thorns (Matthew 27: 27-31)

Upon entering each church, pilgrims visit the altar of repose, kneel, make the sign of the cross, read the appropriate scripture for each station and engage in private prayer and adoration. At the seventh station, many will close their pilgrimage by opting to observe a Holy Hour