Almost 1,000 attend mission pilgrimage

Lil’ Miss Coeur d’Alene, Nikisa Arthur, 15, of Plummer, Idaho, led the procession during the start of the Feast of the Assumption Mass at the 82nd annual Cataldo Pilgrimage at the Old Mission State Park in Cataldo, Monday. ( Kathy Plonka/SR photo gallery here )

CATALDO, Idaho – Close to 1,000 Catholics gathered Monday under the shade of linden, elm and maple trees next to Idaho’s oldest building for a culturally rich and reverent ceremony honoring the Virgin Mary and celebrating the bond between the church and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

The Feast of the Assumption was a highlight of the 82nd annual Cataldo Pilgrimage, which the tribe observes as a return to the river and to the mission its members built between 1850 and 1853 after meeting Jesuit missionaries.

Bishop Peter Christensen of the Diocese of Boise joined 20 priests and deacons in celebrating Mass on the day that Catholics observe the mother of Jesus being received into heaven. Christensen also used the occasion to rededicate the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The location along the Coeur d’Alene River was a natural choice, he said. “For here, in this holy land, is the advent of Christianity in the state of Idaho. It’s a place of grace.” More here (subscription).

• 900 attend annual Cataldo Mission pilgrimage /Coeur d’Alene Press