A special pilgrimage tracing Sister Dorothy Stang's Dayton origins took place Saturday, April 26. Community members came together to honor a woman of deep faith whose life was dedicated to protecting the Amazon rainforest and serving its people.
Two groups of pilgrims journeyed through significant sites connected to Sister Dorothy's early life, beginning at the Historic Marker on Perry Street. The route continued to Sister Dorothy's childhood home, the former site of Julienne High School (now an empty field), St. Rita's Church where she once worshipped, the International Peace Museum, the Walk of Fame on Third Street and her marker at Calvary Cemetery. It concluded at the soon-to-be-installed Butterfly Garden at Chaminade Julienne High School.
"This pilgrimage day held special significance as it coincided with National Historic Marker weekend, Pope Francis' funeral and Earth Day celebrations," noted Sister Leanne Jablonski, FMI, Ph.D., from the Marianist Environmental Education Center.
Molly Bardine, Spirit of Sister Dorothy Stang Award recipient and creator of the Dorothy Stang Symposium — a collection of student Capstone Projects inspired by Sister Dorothy — presented to both morning and afternoon groups. Sister Jablonski shared the organization's mission and distributed native plants for participants to take home, embodying Sister Dorothy's commitment to caring for creation.
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The pilgrimage, organized by Chaminade Julienne High School, the Marianist Environmental Education Center and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, featured reflections incorporating quotes from Pope Francis, Sister Dorothy herself and stories from Michele Murdock's book, "A Journey of Courage."
Organizers encouraged participants to submit reflections and feedback as they plan to host another pilgrimage in September during the Season of Creation. The event demonstrated how Sister Dorothy's mission of education and advocacy for people who are vulnerable continues to inspire action throughout the Dayton community and beyond.