Pilgrims supply their own cold meals for three days, including powdered coffee, hot chocolate, tea bags, instant hot breakfast cereal, as well as cups, plates, bowls, spoons et cetera at each meal. See Question #8, “What food should I bring, and how should I pack it?”, and Question #7, “What gear should I pack, and how should I pack it – and my tent?”.
Aided in particular by the ever-ready volunteers of the Company of St. René Goupîl’s organizers plan for and help pilgrims in many ways every step of the way.
Organizers supply pilgrims continuously with plenty of bottled water throughout, and supplement pilgrims’ meals with hot soup & bread in the evening and hot water & bread with jam at breakfast.
Organizers also supply portable toilets along the way.
The Company provides some first-aid for foot-sore, blistered pilgrims.
The volunteers also transport pilgrims’ gear from camp to camp.
And they shadow the column of walking pilgrims every step of the way, providing rides & rest to the weary.
They also help to prepare bivouacs along the way. Pilgrims assist one another — helping especially the women & children — to pitch tents.
They organize and lead pilgrims in ‘brigades’ of 25-35 pilgrims. And assist the sacred Clergy to concentrate on their ministry at holy Altar, to pilgrims in confession, and all along the way.
See this post for more about what organizers provide for pilgrims, and what the registration fee covers.
This year Friday and Saturday’s privately owned farm sites are equipped only with running water. Organizers provide portable toilets, make-shift showers and wash basins, with (very) remote electrical supply only.
Pilgrim families or/and seniors participating in the “Modified Pilgrimage” may park RVs at each private campsite Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a free-will donation given directly to the campsite organizers or to the property owners on location.
Here’s an overview of family van or RV and other overnight accommodations Thursday to Sunday
day-0 Thursday evening — St. Mary’s Church, Hamburg See this blog post for optional accommodations near Hamburg for pilgrims participating in the ‘modified events’.
day-1 Friday evening — a private farm owned by a Mennonite Family of farmers – Lenhartsville, Penna. See this blog post for optional accommodations near Lenhartsville for pilgrims participating in the ‘modified events’.
day-2 Saturday evening — the private farm of fellow-pilgrims – The DeMaster Family, Willow Haven Farm, New Tripoli PA See this blog post for optional accommodations near New Tripoli for pilgrims participating in the ‘modified events’.
day-3 Sunday evening — For pilgrims opting to overnight locally after the pilgrimage concludes see this blog post to overnight near the destination Shrine.
Pilgrims wishing to overnight in the local lodgings make their own reservations. See this post for info.
For more information about accommodations, see the other FAQs on this blog, and the website.
Pilgrimage for Restoration
Come to restore. The rest will come.
26th annual – 2021 A.D.
Friday – Sunday
24-26 September
“Now is the acceptable time.”
Your friends staying home this year can make pilgrimage from afar, from home or parish: obtain a plenary indulgence, sponsor a pilgrim (or two), request prayers or offer them — all from this page.
Listen to and learn the Songs of Pilgrimage!
“No one makes pilgrimage alone.”
Oremus pro invicem.
In unione orationum.
Ad majorem Dei gloriam.
