That’s right. Every pilgrim without exception must check-in upon arrival at the step-off location Thursday afternoon or evening.
We strongly advise you to do that on Thursday afternoon or evening with the ‘early-birds’.
It’s possible Friday morning, too — but barely. There is always too little time.
That’s because every pilgrim, without exception, must also report to the ‘rendezvous point’ bright & early Friday morning, to form-up with the brigades before holy Mass & step-off.
If you’ve read posted Question #3 in this Q. & A. series you already know about the stress-free way to request the shuttle to bring you to the step-off location, so you’ll be reunited Sunday with your vehicle — or get back to your departure terminal if you flew into Albany or took the train or bus.
Here’s also how to make check-in stress-free — on everybody.
If you’ve read other recent FAQ posts on this blog, then you already know a little about rendezvous and early-bird check-in.
For instance, you know that everyone — no exceptions — has both to register (preferably long in advance) and then to check-in with organizers after arriving at the step-off location in Lake George Battleground Campground, Thursday afternoon or evening, 4:30-10:30, or at Cramer’s Point Motel after 9:30 Thursday evening.
We’ll get to the rendezvous part later on, below — and driving directions, too. For now let’s concentrate on check-in.
This year there are again two opportunities & locations to check-in for ‘early-birds’, arriving Thursday afternoon or evening:
1. Early-bird check-in commences Thursday afternoon at 4:30, September 22, and continues until 10:30 p.m. at the Lake George Battleground Campground.
2. Early-bird check-in continues Thursday evening at 9:30, September 22, until 10:30 p.m. at Cramer’s Point Motel — for those over-nighting there or nearby.
Regardless where a pilgrim overnights Thursday — at a local motel or at one of the local campgrounds (cf. Q #4 of this Q. & A. series), every pilgrim must come to the Lake George Battleground Campground between 4:30 and 10:30 p.m. to check-in, or — if over-nighting at or nearer by Cramer’s Point Motel — to Cramer’s Point Motel between 9:30 and 10:30 Thursday night.
3. For late-comers Thursday night there is a last minute check-in Friday morning at 05:00a.m. sharp, September 23, at the “Million Dollar Beach” parking lot — the same location where every pilgrim must form up with his brigade promptly no later than 05:30 a.m.
However, check-in Friday morning is only to be used as a last resort for pilgrims who positively cannot arrive earlier. There is a lot for organizers and scant time to accomplish it for an estimated 700 pilgrims, who must also form up in their brigades, and prepare for holy Mass.
To summarize:
1. Each and every pilgrim must check-in with organizers once they arrive on site, whether Thursday evening as an ‘early-bird’ or early Friday morning as a ‘late-comer’ at 05:00 a.m. sharp.
2. If a pilgrim has not yet completed registration in advance he/she must do so before check-in, first thing upon arrival. Same goes for the shuttle request.
3. Early-bird pilgrims receive their brigade assignments, as well as instructions of the simple steps to bring them to the ‘rendezvous point’ and Mass site Friday morning at the Million Dollar Beach parking lot.
Regardless when or where a pilgrim registers and/or checks-in ALL PILGRIMS MUST REPORT TO THEIR BRIGADIER & reform with the brigades at the rendezvous point, at the Million Dollar Beach parking lots at 05:30 Friday morning, September 23.
It bears repeating: Brigades reform Friday, 23 September, 5:30 A.M. Every pilgrim — without exception — must report in person to their brigadier & reform with the brigades at the rendezvous point, at the Million Dollar Beach. Organizers checking you in Thursday will explain where the rendezvous point is for Friday morning, and how to get there.
Registration is possible Friday morning, but very inconvenient. Pilgrims are strongly urged to register in advance with the easy-to-use form.
For more information, see the other FAQs on this blog.
Pilgrimage for Restoration
Come to restore. The rest will come.
27th annual — 2022 A.D.
Friday – Sunday
23-25 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.
