Nearly 500 in attendance at Children’s Holy Field Trip

by Wayne Pelzel

Diocesan Director of Schools

Marking the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, nearly 500 children accompanied by parents and teachers took part in the Children’s Holy Field Trip held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm on Thursday, October 7.

The Holy Field Trip was modeled after a similar event that began in the Achdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The concept of a Holy Field Trip is one of children coming together in a holy place and joining together in prayer for the cause of families and life. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard as a statue of Mary was brought in procession to the front of church. Bishop John C. Nienstedt presided as the group prayed the rosary, and after Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and Divine Praises. Students from New Ulm Area Catholic Schools led the decades of the rosary. It was a precious sight to see all those young faces holding a rosary, praying for a common cause.

Students attending came from St. Mary’s School, Sleepy Eye; St. Anastasia School, Hutchinson; St. Pius X, Glencoe; Holy Trinity, Winsted; St. Anne’s, Wabasso and the New Ulm Area Catholic Schools.

Following the event in the church, the children enjoyed cookies and milk.

Children also received a tour of the Cathedral and several of the groups made a stop at the newly refurbished Way of the Cross. It truly was a “holy” field trip.