25th Anniversary Diocese of Metuchen Pilgrimage to Italy and France
(May 25- June 7, 2006)
Bishop to Bishop
The Bishop of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI, meets Bishop of Metuchen Paul G. Bootkoski during a May 31 papal audience in Rome. Bishop Bootkoski and 38 other pilgrims traveled to Italy and France to commemorate the diocese’s 25th anniversary. During the pilgrimage, Bishop Bootkoski celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
-- photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano
Those making the diocesan pilgrimage, above, including Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, gather May 28 outside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Portiuncula, Italy.
Inside the Chapel of St. Clare, one of several chapels extending along the entire length of the basilica, Bishop Bootkoski celebrates a Mass commemorating the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
in Rome, Metuchen’s pilgrims gather June 1 in the piazza at St. Peter’s Basilica. While in Vatican City, they attended Mass in the Tomb of St. Peter and toured the basilica and the Vatican museums
Msgr. Owen Henry, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark; Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski; Msgr. Michael J. Alliegro, and Msgr. William Benwell prepare to meet Pope Benedict XVI
-- Pilgrimage photos by James F. Gerner
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law