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April 7, 2022After starting and leading the annual Good Friday pilgrimage walk, Tony Mondejar will be participating in his last walk before moving to Texas. The 2022 walk will be held April 15.
Mondejar, 75, emigrated from the Philippines in 1988. One of the traditions he brought with him was the carrying of a cross during the Holy Triduum.
“People in my hometown carried a large wooden cross to another town about 20 miles away on Holy Thursday, and stayed over and then returned on Good Friday,” he said.
In 1991, Mondejar embarked on his first pilgrimage in Oklahoma, walking 22 miles by himself from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Konawa to Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ada.
The parishioners of Saint Joseph heard about this and joined him for the 1992 pilgrimage. For the next nine years, the pilgrimage grew in popularity. Due to growth and safety of the walkers, organizers decided a safer route was needed. In 2001, the 19-mile journey from Allen to Ada was chosen and continues today.
The pilgrimage proceeds rain or shine. Only two years were missed – one year due to severe lightning and the other due to COVID-19. The largest group of pilgrims was about 35, but the number of people varies, as some people join along the way while others leave to come back to Ada early. Some are not able to walk the entire way, so they ride in support vehicles.
The support vehicles meet pilgrims every two miles for a rest stop and to make sure everyone is doing well. The vehicles also have food and water.
Mondejar and his wife Betty bring a large wooden cross that everyone helps to carry along the route.
“Some people enjoy saying the Rosary along the way, and people from Protestant faiths find the whole experience very moving. At each stop, the Stations of the Cross are recited to commemorate what Christ went through on Good Friday. This is led by either Father Aaron Foshee or Deacon Dennis Fine. People in cars honk in support as they pass by,” he said.
The pilgrimage meets at 7 a.m. in the parking lot at Saint Joseph in Ada where pilgrims join in prayer and reflect on the Passion of Christ. The walk starts at Allen at 8 a.m. and finishes in Ada at 3 p.m.
Deacon Fine marveled at the energy and the spirit Mondejar has brought to the program.
“Tony deserves all the credit for this wonderful tradition. I only have been a part of it since 2001, but I know the effort Tony puts into it every year. We have all ages from 8 to 80 participate. Last year, one gentleman helped carry the cross on his motorized wheelchair. Our past and present pastors also have participated in the pilgrimage. Upon completion of the walk, it is a parish tradition for the Hispanic Prayer Group to serve a non-meat luncheon to the pilgrims.”
Reservations are not required to participate. Leaders ask participants to call Deacon Fine at (580) 279-4700 if attending the meal or if a ride is required.
Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
