Camino of Maryland Weekend 1
2 days - 27 Miles

St. Mary’s was established in 1674 by two Franciscan priests, Fr. Basil Hobart and Fr. Polycarp Wickstead, the only Franciscan parish in the thirteen colonies. This part of Charles County was inhabited by numerous devoted Catholic families, who played a vital role in the early colonial history of this locality and were instrumental in shaping the religious landscape of the region. Many of those families still reside in the parish today!

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    St. Joseph Parish in Pomfret, Maryland was founded in 1763 by Father George Hunter, S.J.  Life for these early Catholics was very difficult; they were not permitted to practice their faith and were tormented unmercifully until 1777.  Manor houses were approved for housing the priest and chapels were permitted in cemeteries, solely for the purpose of conducting services for the dead.  In St. Joseph’s cemetery there is a large stone marker topped with a cross where such a chapel stood.  In these difficult years, wealthier Catholics constructed an additional room onto their houses where Mass could be conducted; in more modest homes the Sacraments were offered in whatever space was available.  These homes where Mass and Catholic worship was active, but underground were known as "stations".  Surrounding St. Joseph’s area there were seven such stations.