Tuesday, October 28, 2008

When the Saints Go Marching In



One of the incidental pleasures of living in the Civic Center neighborhood is that you can stumble out your front door and wander into huge public gatherings you didn't even know existed.



Such was the case on Saturday around noon when thousands of Catholics were marching up Van Ness Avenue in front of City Hall.



It was the 5th Annual Pilgrimage for Saint Jude Thaddeus sponsored by St. Dominic's Church in the Western Addition on Bush and Steiner Streets.



The huge crowd started the pilgrimage at 9AM at the fabulously named St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church in Bayview-Hunters Point, and many of them looked seriously exhausted from the long trek.



There were loudspeakers in the back of a truck playing jolly music to help people on their quest.



The crowd seemed to be mostly Latin Americans, but there were plenty of exceptions.



Saint Jude is the patron saint of desperate causes which seems fitting in these particular times. I hope a few prayers were answered.

3 comments:

  1. Another lovely photo essay full of your humor and compassion. It was great to see you and Tony at Open Studios - I hope that you enjoy Flora's art and that we can get together for that long-delayed lunch/coffee/whatever...soon!

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  2. That's me in the Obama shirt!!! I think I remember talking to you as I walked up the street. Were you wearing a hat? We were indeed very tired, but I do hope my prayers will be answered! :)

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  3. Dear cherublori: I'm so happy you found this, and you looked great in the Obama shirt.

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