Gregory Lloyd, director of the Pilgrimage for Restoration<\/em>, has announced the theme for the seventeenth annual pilgrimage, which takes place September 28 to 30, 2012. This year\u2019s theme<\/a>, in honor of the soon-to-be-canonized Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, is \u201cRestoration of True Devotion to Mary, in the footsteps of Saint Kateri.\u201d<\/p>\n The pilgrimage begins at the Lake of the Blessed Sacrament (\u201cLake George\u201d, NY), and ends at the Shrine of Our Lady of the North American Martyrs, in Auriesville, New York. Pilgrims walk, sing<\/a>, camp, and pray along the paths traversed by the North American Martyrs \u2013 venerating as they go the places these heroes of God sanctified by their blood witness to Christ and His Church. High Mass in the traditional Roman Rite (extraordinary form) is offered daily, and priests are available for confession and spiritual guidance throughout the pilgrimage. The journey terminates in a beautiful Solemn Mass offered at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs on Sunday, September 30.<\/p>\n Pilgrims can go the entire distance \u2013 sixty-three miles over three days \u2013 or join for the very last day, making the last short leg<\/a> to the Auriesville shrine. In addition, there is a \u201cmodified pilgrimage<\/a>\u201d for seniors and parents with young children. This lends a Catholic family atmosphere to the pilgrimage, and makes the event \u201csomething for everyone<\/a>.\u201d Transportation for weary pilgrims is provided throughout, as are a safety escort and trained medical personnel.<\/p>\n Explaining the significance of this year\u2019s theme, Lloyd said, \u201cThis year we pilgrims are filled with special joy. For seventeen years we\u2019ve joined the millions who, for centuries, have prayed for Saint Kateri\u2019s canonization. We feel a deep confidence this year that the \u2018Lily of the Mohawks\u2019 will hear our prayers, and ask Christ to grant every perfect gift to those who ask in her name.\u201d<\/p>\n He concluded with a broad invitation to the pilgrimage. \u201cWe invite all men of good will to do penance and to pray with us to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to obtain from her Son the grace of conversion and Catholic Faith for all Americans, to gain for the Church in North America victory in the struggle against the tyranny of relativism, and to expel again the forces of darkness from our Lands. And while you\u2019re at it, come have what pilgrims for 17 unforgettable years have called, \u2018the time of your life\u2019 with friends in the beautiful Adirondacks!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"pilgrimage](\"http:\/\/pilgrimage-for-restoration.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/St_Michaels_Brigade_in_silent_prayer_9-2011.jpg\")
A brigade in prayer, Pilgrimage 2011<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"