‘Unto These Hills’
At each stop, the pilgrims took time to pray. Visiting St. Lawrence Basilica reminded many pilgrims of the churches in their homelands. They were not surprised to learn the church was designed by a Spanish architect. The pilgrim’s final stop was the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, where they attended a Spanish-language Mass and mingled with Hispanic parishioners. (Brian Segovia and Lisa M. Geraci | Catholic News Herald 0HIGH POINT — The Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” has inspired some Catholics to travel to pilgrimage sites around the globe while others have embarked on adventures closer to home.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in High Point sent pilgrims to Italy earlier this year, then embarked on a second trip, this time to the N.C. Mountains – a pilgrimage that particularly appealed to Hispanic parishioners.
“We have such a large Hispanic community, and they’re so good and faithful and full of love for the Lord,” says Father Patrick O’Connor, pastor of Immaculate Heart. “But many are fearful of traveling right now, so I thought, ‘Let’s plan something local because they deserve it.’”
The resulting three-day trek began with a 3-hour bus ride from High Point to Asheville where one of only three official Jubilee year pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Charlotte exists: St. Lawrence Basilica. On Day 2, they journeyed to Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Church in the Cherokee Indian Reservation, and ended at St. Joseph Church in Bryson City.
It was a deeply faith-filled experience that brought the growing community together in unanticipated ways.
“I came here two years ago; there were 50 to 100 Spanish-speaking people,” says Father O’Connor. “Now we have about 750. A lot of people don’t know each other, so this was a great community builder.”
The 55 pilgrims packed running shoes and extra Colombian coffee to keep up with Father O’Connor.
They experienced moments of spiritual connection at holy sites as well as the natural beauty of God’s creation through rivers, waterfalls and mountain peaks, all while building community through faith, fellowship and fun.
Reflecting history and home
Pilgrims young and old, from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Colombia hopped off the tour bus on the morning of the Feast of the Assumption, Aug. 15, at their first stop, the basilica.
The Spanish Renaissance architecture reminded some of childhood parishes, with tall stained-glass windows, a dome roof, arched doorways and custom brickwork. They learned the architect was Spaniard Rafael Guastavino from basilica tour guide/music director Andrew Davis.
They also had a more immediate connection: Immaculate Heart of Mary had paired with St. Lawrence in the diocese’s Sister Parish Program to help in their recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.
Ears perked up when Davis discussed the storm damage. The basement flooded. The basilica had no water for 10 days, he said.
“Your donations really helped us during a time when many parishioners couldn’t make it to Mass,” Davis told them.
After Mass and breaking bread at downtown Asheville eateries, the pilgrims loaded back on buses to head for Cherokee.
Father O’Connor promised a relaxing float down the calm Oconaluftee River, with the pleasant backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. Despite the clap of thunder in the distance, the pilgrims grabbed their tubes and followed their shepherd.
The float didn’t go exactly as planned, as swift water made rapids tricky to navigate. Tubes flipped, pilgrims got stuck on rock formations, one float popped, then came a torrential downpour. And when everyone arrived back at the buses, hilarity and a sense of relief filled the air.
On the bus ride back to the Smoky Mountain Inn, pilgrim Kayla Fernandez credited the group for working together to overcome obstacles.
“If it wasn’t for teamwork,” she chuckled, “I don’t know if we all would have made it down the river.”
That night, the pilgrims somberly watched the plight of the Cherokee Indians in “Unto These Hills,” an outdoor theater production that has been running for 75 years.
“You couldn’t miss the correlation between what the Hispanic community is experiencing with deportations and arrests and what the Cherokee population went through during the Trail of Tears,” Father O’Connor says.
A lasting bond
On their second day, a renewed sense of excitement swept the group as they journeyed deeper into the Nantahala River Gorge, departing Bryson City at dawn aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Instead of splitting up for different excursions as planned, the group chose to stay together.
“Everyone decided it was worth it to continue the bond they had created,” says Father O’Connor. “They all even chipped in [to pay fares] to make sure that everyone could join.”
For 4½ hours, the steam locomotive followed the Nantahala River and traced the curve of Fontana Lake, offering breathtaking views of the gorge as they reflected on God’s creation.
Teresa Pérez described it as a bonding moment: “These are people that I only ever knew in passing on Sundays before, but now, being able to spend time with them and chat about our children, for example, was wonderful.”
Visiting a mission
Upon their return to Bryson City, they made their way to St. Joseph’s Mission Parish. Under the scorching sun, they greeted Father Victor Ameh and walked down the church’s sole aisle to sit in prayer. Surrounded by intimate wooden architecture and a simple altar, the group found more moments of quiet reflection.
Perched on a hillside above Cherokee, the pilgrims’ final stop was the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, where they attended a Spanish-language Mass and mingled with its Hispanic parishioners. Dedicated in 1966, it was the first Catholic church erected on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. It was built on property donated by a Catholic convert and approved by the tribal council and chief.
The church’s unique seven-sided design was modeled on a Cherokee council house and features mosaic floor tiles that represent the tribe’s seven clans in a blending of Roman Catholic and Native American traditions. A massive stained-glass window depicting Our Lady of Guadalupe crowns the structure, symbolizing the spiritual unity of the journey.
“People, largely Mexican, were so excited by that magnificent stained-glass window of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” says Father O’Connor, “and they were very touched with the image of San Juan Diego, but instead of being Aztec, he was portrayed as a Cherokee native. I think they really felt a kinship with the Cherokee natives.”
Jose Andrade was filled with joy by the pilgrimage experience, calling it an “escape” from daily challenges and anxiety some in the community feel.
“This helps us relax a bit,” he said. “This allows us to get out of our routines. It helps us a lot, thanks to the efforts of Father O’Connor.”
Upon returning home, Father O’Connor reflected: “Whatever experiences you have during the pilgrimage, whether they’re spiritual highs or moments of struggle, you remember that God is there and you are walking with Him. You’re not alone, and you’re doing it together.”
He was just about to delete the group chat containing pictures and messages from the weekend but stopped when he got a message: “Don’t erase this, please, because we want to be able to talk to all of you forever and not let this end.”
— Lisa Geraci and Brian Segovia
