FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

Contact: Patricia M. Chivers
Communications Director
(678) 480-6865
pchivers@archatl.com

New Route for Good Friday Pilgrimage

Atlanta - Gather with the Archbishop of Atlanta, Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, for the 32nd Annual Good Friday Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage, which begins with prayer at 9:00 a.m. on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol, brings people of all faiths together to “reflect upon the Passion of Christ and compare and contrast that Passion with the sufferings and the issues in today’s society,” states Kat Doyle, director of social justice ministries.

This year, the pilgrimage will embark on a new, shorter route. Each of the 14 stations features community leaders who will read from scripture and provide a reflection that relates to a present-day social justice issue, such as homelessness, the death penalty, human trafficking and others. Archbishop Gregory will open with a prayer and carry the cross from the first station (State Capitol, 206 Washington St.) to (2) Atlanta City Hall Historic Marker on Washington and Mitchell Streets. The journey continues to the (3) Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 48 MLK Jr. Dr. and then to (4) Fulton County Family Court, 185 Central Ave. The next stations will be the (5)) Atlanta History Wall Plaza at the corner of Peachtree Center/Central Ave. and Decatur St., (6) Hurt Park, 100 Edgewood Ave., followed by a stop at the (7) Loudermilk Center Steps. After a short break and rest, the pilgrimage will continue to (8) the grassy knoll across from John Calhoun Park, 170 Auburn Ave. and continue to (9) an Interstate overpass at Auburn Ave. The next stop will be (10) John Wesley Dobbs Plaza/Park followed by (11,12) the Ebenezer Baptist Church Amphitheatre and church grounds at the corner of Jackson St. and Auburn Ave. The group will then walk to (13) Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 25 Boulevard and end at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the (14) Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. and Coretta Scott King Grave Sites at 413 Auburn Ave. A bus will be provided for those who want a ride back to the State Capitol.

“The whole idea is to experience emotionally what Good Friday is all about and perhaps to even have a conversion of heart on a particular issue that you may have either been unaware of or unmoved by in the past,” said Doyle. Kat Doyle may be reached at kdoyle@archatl.com or 404-920-7897.

The media are invited to attend any part of the Good Friday Pilgrimage. For more information, contact Pat Chivers at pchivers@archatl.com or 678-480-6865.

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