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Teen Pilgrimage Designed To Inspire Young Catholics And Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Teens across Maryland are stepping out on a special pilgrimage designed to bring hope and healing to Baltimore. It comes at one of the holiest times of the year for Catholics.

Gigi Barnett explains.

Their message is mercy, and a pilgrimage is how hundreds of Catholic teens are bringing it to Baltimore.

"People are going to see us today walking the streets of Baltimore and just really being able to show love and mercy to those we come in contact," said Ashley Aronminski, St. Joseph's youth minister.

They hit the city streets  this weekend carrying a 10-foot cross in the 22nd annual Youth Pilgrimage.

It marks the start of the Christian Holy Week that leads up to Easter. The walk is a chance for the young pilgrims to learn more about themselves and their faith.

"I really want to become closer in the church and closer with god and really become more in touch with my spirituality," said Mackenzie Melton, teen pilgrim.

Every year, Baltimore Archbishop William Lori joins the teens on the walk.

"I'm always surprised, inspired and gratified by how much young people do understand how much they do want to have a real realtionship with the lord, how they pray, how they think about things," Archbishop Lori said.

Throughout the pilgrimage, the teens made several stops throughout Baltimore, praying for city residents who are less than a month away from the one-year anniversary of the Freddie Gray riots.

"For all of its problems it's a beautiful place, I love it dearly," said Lori. "I pray that this will be yet another sign of hope."

The idea of a youth pilgrimage for catholic teens started back in 1993 at World Youth Day. It occurred in Denver and teens also featured a cross in their pilgrimage.

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