
After we posted our brief account of the Auriesville shrine and the pilgrimages associated with it, a kind reader provided information on the activity of recent years, including details unknown to me. It prompted me to do some brief online research to refresh my recollection of the earlier years and fill out the story.
It seems that for some time the FSSP (The Fraternity of St Peter) has been sponsoring its own pilgrimage, separate from that of the Pilgrimage of the Restoration. The FSSPX pilgrimage had also retuned to Auriesville, despite their earlier experiences. Each of these pilgrimages is as large or larger than the Pilgrimage for the Restoration. I had been aware that the Covid frenzy had shut down pilgrimages at the shrine. But both the FSSP and FSSPX pilgrimages were soon back – to the Coliseum as well. Bishop Sharfenberger of Albany, however, subsequently banned the FSSPX from celebrating Mass, first, in the Coliseum, and then anywhere on the shrine grounds. (It is perfectly acceptable in the Roman Catholic Church, though, for Copts and Anglicans to celebrate Mass ( in the case of the Anglicans I am using the term loosely) at the main altar of St. John Lateran in Rome). The FSSPX faithful appear otherwise free to use the grounds and shrine buildings for their visits and devotions.
So, the Traditionalist Auriesville pilgrimage(s) in no way developed into the American equivalent of those of Chartres. It is quite a contrast to the situation that existed in the late 1990’s: the spontaneous enthusiasm of so many groups taking part in a short walking pilgrimage from the nearby town of Fonda to experience at the end of their journey a beautifully celebrated solemn Mass – then still an unfamiliar thing to many American Traditionalists. Instead of becoming a new “pilgrimage of Christendom,” serving as a national showpiece of the faith of the Traditionalists – as Chartres so gloriously was again this year -the Traditionalist pilgrimages of Auriesville have evolved into several altogether smaller “private” affairs, with little or no visibility to the outside world. But, honestly, is this not the flip side of American strengths: the free, independent and sacrificial commitment of many groups, each perhaps with a different focus, to a just cause? And let’s remember that on the weekend of Pentecost the famous Chartres pilgrimage itself is accompanied by another, somewhat smaller FSSPX pilgrimage, also between Paris and Chartres – only marching in the opposite direction!
Traditionalism also does not exist in a vacuum. The Auriesville shrine and its pilgrimages are embedded in the local ecclesiastical landscape. The care of the Jesuits for the shrine, after years of neglect, came to an inglorious end in 2015. Under new management, the shrine was saved, restored, and also became more welcoming to Traditionalists. Bishop Sharfenberger of Albany is struggling to deal with the consequences of decades of neglect – and far worse – in his now bankrupt diocese. He also seems to have blown hot and cold in his relationship with Traditionalism. In addition to the clashes with the FSSPX pilgrimage noted above, this year he summarily closed several flourishing traditional masses in diocesan parishes. Perhaps, given the dire state of his diocese, Bishop Scharfenberger is especially dependent on the nuncio.
Yet the Traditionalists once more returned to Auriesville this year – including a pilgrimage by a new group, the Catholic Land Movement. The Traditionalist pilgrimage to the Shrine of the North American Martyrs may not have become an icon of Catholic triumph, but definitely is a symbol of dedication, persistence, and patience often in the face of adversity. And in recent years does that not parallel the vicissitudes of the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs itself? Both Bishop Scharfenberger and the Association that now owns the shrine certainly are working to expand its visibility. We hope that the continuing and even expanded presence of the various Traditionalist groups at Auriesville will be a key part of that effort.
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