Members of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend walked along Ind. 15N Wednesday morning holding a crucifix cross and banner of the Virgin Mary.
They stopped along the road, bowed their heads and prayed aloud briefly before returning to walking.
The 100-mile walk was part of "The Journey in Christ," a nine-day Catholic pilgrimage retreat for men, ages 18 and older.
Approximately 15 people, including members of the Diocese of Fort-Wayne South Bend and those who are considering joining the diocese, are participating in the pilgrimage walk.
The walk was in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, according to Drew Curry, deacon for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend includes 14 counties in northeastern Indiana and has a Catholic population of approximately 160,000.
This is the first year for the pilgrimage that began June 9 at St. Matthew's Cathedral in South Bend. The pilgrimage will end Sunday at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne.
The men who participated prayed for the communities in which they traveled, growth and faithfulness within their diocese, and growth of religious vocations within the diocese.
"As Christians, we are called to go to towns and visibly show God's love to others," Curry said.
"When people see Christ's church in the world, it draws them closer to him."
The group took a break every hour along the route for prayer and rest breaks.
Curry drove a pickup truck filled with jugs of water and Gator Aid in the bed of the truck for the men.
Food and lodging for the men is being provided by parish host families in each town they visit.
The pilgrimage has taken the men to parishes, including St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Goshen.
The group was at the old Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Milford Wednesday morning, and walked through Leesburg and ended at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw Wednesday evening for a prayer service.
A Mass was held at the church this morning and the group left to continue their journey.
Tom Scheibelhut, who has been a member of St. Bavo Parish in Mishawaka since he was born, said he is considering joining the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
"It's a great experience for me and the other men who are considering becoming priests to see first hand other diocese and meet people along the way," Scheibelhut said.
For more information about the pilgrimage, visit online at www.diocesefwsb.org
