A custom statue of Mary, Mother of God traveled throughout the diocese to parishes, missions, Catholic schools and other locations over the course of the diocese’s 50th anniversary year so people could venerate Mary as our patroness and pray for special graces for the Church in western North Carolina.
In his proclamation of the 50th anniversary year, Bishop Peter Jugis noted that as “Mary, the patroness of our diocese is so closely connected with her Son’s work for our salvation, we also draw close to her in this special year of grace.”
The Marian Pilgrimage was one of the signature events of the diocese’s 50th anniversary activities. The statue traveled to more than 100 locations across the diocese during the year – visiting churches, schools, events and sites of significance to Catholics in western North Carolina.
