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 played for the conclusion of last year’s pilgrimage, which was the second hosted by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, as CatholicVote previously reported. The day includes preaching from the friars, reciting the rosary, participating in the Mass, and more at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception — the largest Catholic basilica in the US.
In 2024, the bluegrass band closed out the event on the lawn of the Catholic University of America. The location is set for another performance at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, according to a July 9 press release from the Pilgrimage.
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 its first album in 2017, and it reached No. 3 on the Billboard bluegrass chart, according to the Hillbilly Thomists website. They have since released three more albums. Proceeds from their album and merchandise sales support their musical endeavors and 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 emailed statement 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.
Fr. Briscoe 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.”
