SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AMBS)— Richard Rohr, Catholic priest and well-known writer and speaker, joined the annual Marcellus Day pilgrimage of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary on October 30. Each year, AMBS commemorates the martyr death of Marcellus, a third-century Roman soldier, with a walk through the neighborhoods of Mishawaka and South Bend, Ind., ending at the University of Notre Dame, where the relics of Marcellus lie in the university’s basilica.
Marcellus is known as one of the earliest Christian martyrs who died because of his commitment to nonviolence. At his trial, he declared that it is “not right for a Christian man, who serves the Lord Christ, to serve in the armies of the world.”
Marking Marcellus’ death on October 30, 298, the pilgrimage followed the Saint Joseph River with stops on the way to pray and to hear stories of other conscientious objectors. In downtown South Bend, the walkers joined a larger group that had gathered for a reenactment of the death of Marcellus. “Marcellus laid down his sword in order to follow Jesus Christ. He laid down his life in order to be faithful,” one of the actors said in introducing the dramatic presentation.
The walk ended at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus where relics of Marcellus lie. Rohr and AMBS president Nelson Kraybill spoke to more than 600 people at the basilica as part of a two-day event geared toward “A New Consciousness for Peacemaking.” The following day, 350 Catholics, Mennonites and others attended a workshop with Rohr at Kern Road Mennonite Church.
The events were sponsored by the Center for Peace and Nonviolence, (a coalition of local Mennonites, Brethren, Catholics, Missionary Baptists and Quakers) with support from Mennonite Church USA Interchurch Relations.