Sixty one buses brought 3,000 pilgrims from the Diocese of Rockville Centre to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a prayerful celebration of the Year of Faith on September 28. See the slideshow below for some highlights of the day. Photos by Gregory A. Shemitz. For Bishop Murphy’s blog about the pilgrimage, click here.
01
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
02
Bishop William Murphy greets pilgrims and poses for photos outside the basilica.
03
Auxiliary Bishop Nelson Perez leads the Angelus.
04
Laura Cook sings with the diocesan choir.
05
Pilgrims kneel in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the crypt chapel.
06
Students from Chaminade High School, Mineola, pray during the rosary service for young people in the crypt chapel.
07
Deacon Pat LaBella and his wife Cheryl of St. Lawrence the Martyr Church, Sayville, and Santo and Ann Crocco of St. Hugh of Lincoln Church, Huntington Station, pray the rosary.
10
Joseph Smaldino, director of music ministry at Christ the King Parish, Commack, leads the singing of the responsorial psalm.
11
Bishop William Murphy accepts the gifts during the offertory.
12
Bishop William Murphy presides at Mass.
13
Pilgrims recite the Lord's Prayer.
14
Msgr. Robert Clerkin of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Deer Park, distributes Communion.
15
Seminarians sing during the Mass.
16
Seminarian Jeff Yildrimaz leads the closing procession.



