Jesus describes his disciple as one who denies himself, takes up his cross, and follows him. In imitation of Jesus’ suffering, the Jesuit High School community makes the Nine Churches Walk each year on Good Friday, visiting churches with striking architecture and rooted in New Orleans history. At every stop, attendees have the opportunity to hear unique historical and spiritual hallmarks of the church from pilgrimage historian Brandon Briscoe ’98.

Pilgrimage Details

The procession will begin at 8:00am at St. Stephen’s on 1045 Napoleon Ave. and will follow the order of churches listed below ending at approximately 1:00 p.m. at the St. Louis Cathedral.

Although Good Friday is a fasting day, participants may choose to bring a light snack and water for the walk. It is also recommended to check the weather forecast for the appropriate dress, noting that sunscreen or a hat may be helpful. Participants should also be prepared to walk 5-6 miles through the course of the morning and should arrange their own ride back to their vehicles after the walk.

Churches Visited

The origins of the Nine Churches Walk, like most traditions in New Orleans, are somewhat obscure. Some sources say that the number of churches reflects the tradition of praying nine days of a novena for a particular petition. Others cite the tradition in Rome of praying the Stations of the Cross at a different church on each of the forty days in Lent. Whatever the origins, the tradition manifests the vibrancy of the Catholic faith for centuries in Louisiana as an integral part of the region’s culture.