The friars of the bluegrass band Hillbilly Thomists will join their fellow Dominican brothers and thousands of lay faithful in Washington, D.C., in September to close out another annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage with faith-centered, banjo-accompanied music.
The Hillbilly Thomists also closed out last year’s pilgrimage, which was the second annual one hosted by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, as CatholicVote previously reported. The day includes preaching from the friars, recitation of the rosary, and Mass and more at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — the largest Catholic basilica in the United States.
The bluegrass band played last year to close out the event on the lawn of the Catholic University of America. According to a recent press release from the Pilgrimage, they will be a part of the day again on Sept. 27 at 7pm at the Catholic University of America Mall.
Band member Fr. Jonah Teller, O.P., expressed enthusiasm about being a part of the Pilgrimage once more.
“Last year’s Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage was an absolute delight for us, and we can’t wait to return to the stage this year,” he said. “It’s a joy to participate in such a remarkable event in the life of the Church in America.”
The band debuted their first album in 2017 and it reached #3 on the Billboard bluegrass chart, according to the Hillbilly Thomists website. They have since released three more albums, with proceeds from their album and merchandise sales going towards the continuation of their musical endeavors and to the support of the formation of friars at the D.C.-based Dominican House of Studies. The band is currently working on a Christmas album.
Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage spokesperson Fr. Patrick Briscoe, O.P. told CatholicVote in an email statement about last year’s pilgrimage that the hosts were moved by how many people attended the 2024 Pilgrimage.
“They are hungry for the day’s beautiful liturgy, for Dominican preaching and to spread devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary … There’s no other gathering like it in the country,” he said. He also shared that several hundred pilgrims enrolled in the Rosary Confraternity at the 2024 pilgrimage and credited the fruits of the day to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession.
“Our Lady is unleashing a flood of grace,” he said, “that will continue to be renewed every year that pilgrims participate — and bring others with them.”
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Author: McKenna Snow
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