13th Annual Walk to Mary – De Pere to Champion, Wisconsin (2026)
Pilgrimages have deep roots in the Catholic tradition. Despite only being confirmed a Catholic in 2019, From the first journeys of the apostles, to the visits to shrines and cathedrals in the Middle Ages, and famous pilgrimages like the Camino de Santiago. That is the tradition in which I felt called to participate in the Walk to Mary.
This particular pilgrimage is something I’ve been aware of for many years, largely due to my regular listening to Relevant Radio and Rosary Across America. This year was the first time I had an opportunity to attend and I felt uniquely called to do so given many things happening in my life.
This was not my first pilgrimage either. During the lead up to the National Eucharistic Congress in 2023, I took part in the St. Anne Seton route that passed through my home parish in Metuchen, New Jersey. This spurred me to also attend the Congress a few weeks later. During the Jubilee in 2025, I visited the four basilicas in Rome. And on Good Friday this year I went to the seven churches of Washington, DC. These experiences, while each distinct and profound, were mere preparation for the wonders of the Walk to Mary.
From my experience, any good pilgrimage starts with a clear intention. I carried two – help for all those with mental health challenges, and for help with workplace issues. Around these two primary intentions, I carried many others for friends, family, and people in my life who I know need help.
On Monday, April 27, I registered to participate, just a few days before the start of the actual event itself. Due to the late timing I knew getting a hotel was probably not possible due to the number of people participating. So I planned my schedule to arrive the evening prior to the walk, when the Sing to Mary program was held at the cathedral in Green Bay, and to sleep in my car two nights.
FRIDAY
Friday, 6:17, Start at Basilica of the Little Flower
The true starting point was morning mass at the Basilica of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Michigan. I left my house at 6:17am and got to the basilica just in time for morning mass. The day just happened to be the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and also my Consecration Day to St. Joseph.
From my experience, any good pilgrimage starts with a clear intention. I carried two – help for all those with mental health challenges, and for help with workplace issues I was contending with. Around these two primary intentions, I carried many others for friends, family, and people in my life whom I know needed help in one form or another.
Friday, 17:17, Milwaukee
Travelling along the Interstate 43, I could not help but to recognize the handsome towers and fleche of the St. Stanislaus Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Friday, 19:00, Sing to Mary at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sure enough after a more than seven hour drive, I arrived minutes before the service of singing and prayer started. As I pulled into Green Bay I heard the start of Rosary Across America on the radio that was being held in person just footsteps away from me. This spaghetti dinner and broadcast event were sold out for several weeks prior, so I could not participate, and instead went to the Sing to Mary program that was open to everyone at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
Sing to Mary, while not a mass with communion, still felt very sacred. Between musical selections, those in attendance prayed a decade of the Rosary with a small reflection on each decade given by a reader from the pulpit. As someone with many years of experience as a church musician, and a deep commitment to the Rosary, it was a perfect way to prepare for the journey the next day.
The order of the Rosary featured the sorrowful mysteries. Interspersed with each of these were musical selections:
- Welcome, Ave Maria by Franz Biebl
- Agony in the Garden, Hear by Prayer by Moses Hogan
- Scourging at the Pillar, O Saviour of the World by John Goss
- The Crowning with Thorns, O Sacred Head by Bach and Christ We All Do Adore Thee by Theodore Dubois
- The Carrying of the Cross, Alas! and Did My Saviour Bleed by Isaac Watts and Robert Lehman
- The Crucifixion, God So Loved the World by John Stainer
- Hail, Holy Queen
- Prayer After the Roary
- Regina Caeli
- Alleluia by Randall Thompson
In my freshly completed Consecration to St. Joseph, the theme of “St. Joseph, lover of poverty” stood out. So by limiting my travel costs to the bare minimum, having no hotel, and preparing all of my travel meals in advance – allowed me to be a pilgrim without having to spend significant money outside of gas.
That first night, lacking a hotel, I slept in my car in the parking lot from which busses picked up pilgrims to head to the starting point the following morning. The night was very cold and there were even a few snowflakes that fell. I had two large comfortable blankets and a few pillows, making it easier to adapt to the conditions.
Saint Anne with the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in Green Bay, Wisconsin (left) and window of same theme at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in De Pere, Wisconsin
SATURDAY
Saturday, 4:50, Awoke and prepared to depart from parking lot
On Saturday morning I awoke with a few minutes to spare before the busses arrived. I had brought breakfast with me of some egg sandwiches that I made at home a few days prior. That and some fruit gave me the early energy I needed to get started. My last task before jumping on the bus was to read the Consecration Day prayer, officially marking my consecration to St. Joseph.
Saturday, 5:15, First busload pulls out from green parking lot to Shrine of St. Joseph
On the bus ride to the starting point at St. Norbert’s College, I sat beside a man who also converted to the Catholic faith. We talked about many things including family, faith, and his consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary that he had not yet completed.
Saturday, 6:02, Shrine of St. Joseph – pray as prepare to begin pilgrimage
Saturday, 6:13, Watch sunrise over river in distance, personal prayer and reflection
Saturday, 6:47, Father Rocky appears, music before start of official program
Saturday, 7:00, Introductory prayer, speeches, and music
Saturday, 7:06, Father Michael Brennan of Shrine of St. Joseph speaks
He asked pilgrims to carry two intentions – a call to the vocations and for an upcoming campaign to renovate the Shrine. I had an opportunity to briefly speak with him about the Shrine and committed to following up.
Saturday, 7:17, Begin journey, reach bottleneck at bridge
Early in the walk there was a bottleneck when all the pilgrims had to cross using a narrow sidewalk on the Main Ave Bridge. Only a few could walk at a time and there was only room for two or three people to walk side by side. Somehow, we managed to make it work.
Saturday, 7:50, Walking along trail on Fox River
The walk along the Fox River was very pleasant. Here they had the Fox River Trail from Green Bay to Greenleaf. At times it brought us very close to the water where there was wildlife. In this early portion of the walk I prayed the Rosary fairly continuously, only breaking up from moment to moment for something along the way. At one moment I noticed a US Army backpack and prayed with a service member. At another moment was a station that had the title, “pray for vocations,” so I prayed for vocations with the woman there. And I handed out Blessed McGiveny and Sacred Heart of Jesus cards to people along the path who were not walking, so as to include them too. Public art along the route give a brief moment to pause and contemplate something beside just walking. At one point there was even a statue of a life-sized Jesus with outstretched arms.
Saturday, 8:23
In the first few miles I pulled ahead and fell behind the man with a US flag and a parka with Our Lady of Guadalupe. He kept to himself though had a very clear and steady sense of purpose carrying the flag. I admired that commitment he had.
Saturday, 8:46
Shortly after seeing Lambeau Field across the Fox River, there was a marker for “the first American Settlement in Wisconsin,” dating to around 1817. Robert Irwin was the first American to purchase property in “Shantytown” from Col. Joseph Du Charme for a barrel of flour and a barrel of whiskey. In 1822, his store became the first Post Office in Wisconsin. The Allouez Catholic Cemetery was on the other side of the trail from the settlement.
Saturday, 9:00, St. Francis Park
A few minutes later we passed through St. Francis Park. In the distance was St. Willebrord Catholic Church, a parish dating back to 1864.
Saturday, 9:37, mile 6 and Hagemeister Park
Gradually we went from natural areas to a more built-up are. The natural riverbank changed into river walk with seating. Hagemeister Park was to one side and looked to be a popular social gathering place.
Saturday, 10:10, meeting a Eucharistic Congress pilgrim
While walking I tried to keep aware of people around me. One of these was a participant in the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in 2024. Approximately 60,000 Catholics attended this. We spoke about family and her prior attempt at the Walk to Mary where she stopped around mile 15. I left her with a prayer and suggested she and members of her family explore the Consecration to St. Joseph.
Saturday, 10:19, from the river to the neighborhood
We turned away from the Fox River and continued along Elizabeth Street. This portion of the walk we went single file with some spillover into the neighborhood streets.
Saturday, 11:26, East Shore Drive and Green Bay
The walk started to become harder though I was keeping up a good pace. One of the rest stops for pilgrims had a short walk to the shoreline and Green Bay. Several pilgrims went there to sit and enjoy the scenery. The shoreline in the distance included portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One day later my drive home would take me to that opposite shore.
Saturday, 13:00, Ran into some difficulty with feet
As I got closer and closer to lunch, every step became harder and more painful. For several miles I had felt hot spots forming on my feet. This happens when moisture from sweat creates friction when skin rubs against socks causing feet to eventually blister. I found a tree trunk whose outline was in a heart shape, where I conveniently sat. Taking off my shoes I was able to apply moleskin. I also kept off one of my shoes for the short distance to the lunch stop, giving my foot a chance to breathe and recover.
Saturday, 13:17, Reach 15 Mile mark and lunch at Holy Family Church
Lunch and an extended break were waiting at the 15 mile marker. This was outside the Holy Family Church and their Parish School. Inside the school gymnasium there was an orderly series of lines to pick up sandwiches. I grabbed a turkey sandwich and apple, and found a spot very near to the entrance of the building where I sat and used the time to recover. After fully removing shoes and socks from both my feet, I set them up to get the maximum sun and dry out a bit. I also switched to my original pair of socks from earlier, since they had a chance to air out.
An emcee for the event was giving updates to the crowd in a very calm voice. Some of these were when condiments ran out, first mustard, and then mayo, until there was only ketchup. Somehow she made this sound pleasant even though the words expressed a loss. Similarly, lost and found items were announced and people asked to pick them up. Finally, a shortage of bottled water was announced and updates provided as a truckful was inbound. These updates were oddly calming and reassuring. The calm and positive message in the announcer helped to refill me and equip me to continue walking. This was important because by this point the experience of sitting down and standing up was becoming harder and harder.
As I got up and walked to board the nearest bus, water arrived and entire boxes with dozens of bottles each were being unloaded. Pilgrims were bending over and grabbing from the boxes on the ground. Even though I was feeling physically strained I crouched down and began handing individual bottles to people so everyone did not need to bend. In less than a minute I must have given out two dozen bottles of water. One of these I kept for me.
Then I proceeded to the bus with the closest line to me. I was among the last to board. A few spots in line behind me was a priest who mentioned he had to complete the walk so he could preside at a mass held at the Shrine, seven miles further down the pilgrimage route. Given he was time limited I asked fellow pilgrims if he could have one of the last open seats on the bus and all agreed. It ends up the final seat on the bus was given to me. The whole ride spanning approximately 15 minutes, I had the most pleasant conversation about his Diocese in Minnesota, Bishop Robert Barron and what a positive influence he has been on the church, and the necessity of vocations. He shared how in his family he had a brother, Gabriel, discerning to enter the priesthood. I asked and father allowed for me to say a quick prayer for him and all men called to vocations.
Saturday, 14:00, first mass held at Our Lady of Champion – still on the trail
Saturday, 14:09, off the bus and starting the second leg
Freshly off the bus and after starting the second leg on VanLaanen Rd, I found myself again among those that I walked the early miles with. A sizable group from Poland, the man with a US flag and a parka with Our Lady of Guadalupe. And many others. Interspersed were families. The family whose mother is on the marketing team to support the Walk to Mary actually recognized me from earlier. That was encouraging. What lay ahead was a straight line with plowed fields to either side. Large portions were exposed to wind, which picked up as the miles added up, making it a bit colder later in the day. The rows of porta-potties, food and water stations, and places to sit became more and more scarce as the walk went on.
Every step became progressively harder and more painful. I varied my pace and accepted that many people would pass me. Sometimes I kept to the center of the road walking along the solid yellow divided line. At some point then even that line disappeared and it was a simple paved road without markings. At other times I would gravitate to one shoulder of the road or the other. Concrete has the highest impact on joints, asphalt less so, and the rocky and grassy shoulder the least. To preserve my feet and limit the impact on my joints, I tried to keep to the shoulders, varying one with the other, so my body and the impact on my body adjusted the natural curvature of the crown of the road. When the left side of my body was aching, the right shoulder of the road was where I walked. And the opposite also held true.
Saturday, 14:51, crossing of N New Franken Rd
The clear skies of the morning were now replaced by puffy cumulus clouds, indicating fair weather. A slight breeze picked up progressively in the miles ahead.
Saturday, 15:30, Second mass held at Our Lady of Champion – still on the trail
Saturday, 15:51, a needed chair and foot care
Near one of the intersections where volunteers help pilgrims cross safely and avoid oncoming traffic that crossed the route, the volunteers left a row of four folding chairs. I could not help but to sit in them for a while. A few minutes later a group of ladies sat by me. They too were managing their feet. One gave another some moleskin that she had been carrying. We reflected on the benefit of bringing an extra pair of socks and being able to trade between them. Every little interaction and sharing like this gave a little energy boost to make it to the next one.
Something else I observed around this time was a woman with a large black trash bag and seemingly endless energy, picking up litter that she saw along the way. This struck me and many pilgrims for what it was – an act of love. She identified a problem (trash that others had left behind) and instead of complaining about it, or lamenting the sorry state of things – she used her mind and energy to make things better. I did not share the same level of energy to zigzag from one side of the road to the other. What I was able to do with the energy I had left was to pick up the small pieces of litter – from the corners torn off of snacks, the little blue and white stickers on apples that were distributed, and quite a few Jolly Rancher wrappers – among other things.
There were times where I would find something every few steps, and other times where I would go long distances without picking up anything at all. What this small act of picking up the debris I saw did was give me a purpose. It also helped to vary my biomechanics by bending over and stretching different muscles than just my legs. Finally, it gave me a way to honor this pilgrimage route and the ground that we walked upon. I often reflected and hoped after we were all done that people would be able to look at this pilgrimage as something that enhanced and made better the area we walked through, and not to be remembered by the piles of litter left in our wake. I also reflected on the church teaching about protecting the fragile environment of the planet. Surely those who left their wrappers and other litter behind might benefit from a deeper reflection and change of heart about our relationship as Catholics with the environment.
Saturday, 16:00: Third mass held at Our Lady of Champion – still on the trail
Saturday, 17:30: Fourth mass held at Our Lady of Champion – still on the trail
Saturday, 17:39, a single chair and a new friend Patrick
Patrick could not have been better positioned. Better yet he had the final chair where a weary pilgrim could sit and recover before what ended being the final push. Most comforting was his compelling personal life story and his gift for communication. While living in Milwaukee he heard the call to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The way he did this was through designing and laser cutting metal to create a silhouette. This was designed in such a way that it could easily be mounted on fence posts, porches, or any surface that could be gently hammered in to.
Several times previously along the walk I saw the small installations that he had made. Beside each one was a yard sign with QR code letting pilgrims know more about how to get one of the small silhouettes for themselves.
Given my background in economic development and work advising small businesses, he and I spoke about his plans to scale his business. Whether he thought of going on Shark Tank. What was getting in how way. And his plans for seeing these Marian tributes spread throughout the U.S.
We also talked about his family and kids. In particularly I remember the story of his son Patrick who works in education and took a group of kids to Rome last year. We spoke about his eight grandkids too and how brief of a time we have as parents and grandparents – spending 75% of our time with children before they are 12.
I shared with him some candid advice on these and other matters, including the recommendation that he complete the Consecration to Jesus Through the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Simon de Monfort.
His witness and the ability to share from a loving place our mutual affection for Our Lady, gave me the final fuel I needed to stand up from the chair one last time and finish the walk. If you find yourself in a similar position far along in your journey, hope for a Patrick and a place to site to restore you and send you off.
Saturday, 17:48, twenty-one miles complete
At different way stations there were volunteers letting pilgrims know there were only 5 miles left, only 3 miles left, and only 1 mile left. Each time I took a moment to acknowledge them and said how I rather view it as 17 miles complete, 19 miles complete, and 21 miles complete. Then I shared with them this is an insight I gained while praying the Rosary one day. Earlier on in my prayer routine, I would count the number of decades and beads remaining until the end, and that would be by focus. One day it occurred to me if I started with gratitude for every decade and every bead – thank you for giving me this opportunity to say this prayer – that the gratitude to be able to pray was my focus as opposed to fixation on the desire to simply get something done.
Every person I shared the insight about focusing on what we completed rather than what remained to walk, felt that to be a positive and helpful way to view things.
The other effect that had on my mindset was to be full of gratitude for every next step before me. I recognized each step as the gift it was, rather than the drudgery of another painful effort on a long journey. Thinking and walking from a position of gratitude finally helped me to realize that it was not my will, but God’s will for me that propelled me forward.
Saturday, 17:49, the final stretch comes into sight
From the trail we could see the final left turn and the final stretch came into view. From where we started to where we now stood, the number of pilgrims became sparse. The encouraging words, conversation and interaction were fewer. Given the wide open spaces I encountered, I was left to singing.
The one song that stood out to me most was Ave Maria by Mozart which I frequently sang while in church choirs. Here the repetition of it felt right as I made my final steps toward Our Lady of Champion.
Another that came to me again and again was, “I see His Blood Upon the Rose” by Joseph Mary Plunkett.
I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
Saturday, 18:15: Reaching the finish line
Turning into the parking lot off the pilgrimage route, they had put up a finish line with the greeting, “Welcome to Our Lady’s Shrine.” A tent with pins and medallions for those who completed was immediately beyond it. A few people even cheered the last few of us on as we took our final steps.
Saturday, 18:16: Crossing the finish line
Crossing the finish line took the last little bit of energy and strength that I had left. The look on my face tells it all. This pilgrimage walk required everything that I was able to give.
Saturday, 18:42
Here at America’s only Church-approved Marian apparition site, in 1859 the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele Brice three times. On her way home from Mass with two companions, Adele saw Our Lady for a third time. The third apparition is described:
As they approached the hallowed spot, Adele could see the beautiful lady. clothed in dazzling white, with a yellow sash around her waist. She had a crown of stars around her head. Adele fell on her knees, saying, ‘In God’s name, who are you, and what do you want of me?”
“I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners, and I wish you to do the same. You received Holy Communion this morning and that is well. But you must do more. Make a general confession and offer Communion for the conversion of sinners. If they do not convert and do penance, my Son will be obliged to punish them.”
“Adele, who is it?” said one of the women. “Oh, why can’t we see her as you do?” said another weeping. “Kneel,” said Adele, “the Lady says she is the Queen of Heaven.” Our Blessed Lady looked kindly at them, saying, “Blessed are they that believe without seeing.”
Then Our Lady asked Adele, “What are you doing here in idleness while your companions are working in the vineyard of my Son?”
“What more can I do, dear Lady?” asked Adele weeping.
“Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation.”
“But how shall I teach them who know so little myself?” Adele said.
“Teach them their catechism, how to sign themselves with the sign of the Cross, and how to approach the sacraments; that is what I wish you to do. Go and fear nothing, I will help you.”
The message to Adele was simple: teach the Catholic Faith to the children of a people who were losing their faith through neglect. Adele took the message to heart and for the next thirty-five years, dedicated her life to this mission.
Saturday, 18:53, Visiting chapel of the National Shrine
Once inside the church of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, I sat near the front facing the statue of St. Joseph carrying the infant Jesus. The present Tudor Gothic church with vaulted ceiling and wooden truss construction was built in 1942. The main altar with pinnacles and sculptures rests above the site of the Marian apparition. A door to the right of where I was sitting led to the “Shrine’s Apparition Oratory.”
Saturday, 19:04: Visit to the Apparition Oratory
A statue of Our Lady of Grace stands surrounded by devotional candles and flowers. This is intended as an intimate area to encounter the presences of Our Lady of Champion near where she appeared to Adele. Just outside of the Oratory entrance is a little cemetery where Adele and her associate, Maggie Allard, are buried.
Behind the altar were relics related to many Saints, Apostles, and a piece of the True Cross. I noted one for Saint Simon, Apostle, who shared a Feast Day with my birthday on October 28. Another for Saint Carlo Acutis caught my eye with a Feast Day of October 12. I felt so fortunate to be on hand at the Vatican for his canonization a few short months earlier in September 2025.
Saturday, 19:18: St. Francis at the National Shrine
The St. Francis statue along with a statue of a dog, was among the last that I viewed at the National Shrine. Given my years as a parishioner at St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen, New Jersey, this felt like a nice point to end my visit. Conveniently the bus loaded just a few feet away and I had energy for just a few short steps.
Saturday, 20:03: Ride back to the parking lot and one last pilgrim
On the bus ride back to the parking lot, I sat beside a pilgrim from Uganda and now living in Boston. We spoke about many things from family, to consecration, and the many times she has taken the drive from Boston to Wisconsin for the walk. Marguerite shared with me one particular story of a miracle at Our Lady of Champion where a young man who could not walk regained his mobility after regularly attending. She also showed me some beautiful photos that she took at the Shrine. This last conversation was a perfect way to bring the active portion of the pilgrimage to a close. We prayed together before saying farewell, and I felt energized from an exchange with such a fervent pilgrim.
Body aching I walked the short distance to where my car was parked, pulled the blankets over me, and went to sleep one last time before the long ride home the following day.
SUNDAY
The following morning I found myself on the opposite side of the shore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, making my way back. There were large expanses of forest very sparsely populated. River outlets broke the geography up somewhat. And at a few points along the way were larger sized cities.
Sunday, 11:32: A brief rest on the way home.
This rest stop had no plumbing or electricity, so not much different that points along the pilgrimage route a day before.
Sunday, 12:44: An upper peninsula treat
To my great surprise there was a familiar looking landmark. Lehto’s Pasties has been open since 1947. While I was strict with myself about limited expenses for the pilgrimage, I could not resist getting a heated pasty for lunch and three frozen ones to enjoy later. While picking them up I took some time appreciating the photographs of three generations of the family that have opened the business.
Sunday, 12:52: In search of Pere Marquette and seeing a beautiful view
The Father Marquette National Memorial is in Sault St. Marie, just before crossing the Mackinac Bridge. Seeing a sign for it in the corner of my eye, I drove that direction only to find the park closed for construction. The short detour did give me a dramatic view of the approach to the bridge which I crossed a few minutes later.
For the remainder of my drive I stopped a few times for gas, once for coffee, and took brief 10-15 minute naps before driving on. In that sense the drive back to my starting point was also recovery from the walk that I had the prior day.
Sunday, 17:26 Pass by St. Mary Magdalene in Hazel Park, Michigan
Just a few blocks from where I live is the St. Mary Magdalen Church in Hazel Park, Michigan. Driving by I could not help to snap a picture as this represented the final church on my journey spanning four states, two time zones, and visits to five churches and shrines, and entirely circling Lake Michigan. As I drove my final few blocks it sunk in that my pilgrimage ended right where it began – but the person who started on the journey less than 90 hours prior and the person who returned were fundamentally different.
Aftermath of the Walk to Mary
Within 72 hours of returning to Michigan I received life changing responses to my two primary intentions. A major workplace resolved itself. My family was also given a special blessing when my older son found and started his first job.
Suggestions for Future Pilgrims
Having recounted my journey for the benefit of others, here are some of the lessons I learnt for the benefit of future travelers.
- Start with a good confession. This is provided to you at the starting of the walk and at least one other point along the way. A good confession will help to clarify your sense of purpose and intention. Those treating the walk as merely physical exercise might miss out on the spiritual exercise of the walk which in many ways is far greater than the physical dimension.
- Do not let the scope and size of what you are taking overwhelm you. If you find yourself doing this focus on the next step. Practice gratitude for every step you have taken and the next step that you are able to take. Leaving a trail of gratitude will uplift not just you but also those around yo
- Leave your pilgrimage route better than how you found it. In my last few miles I became hyper-aware of the smallest things – namely little pieces of trash that had been dropped on the walk. While it might seem trivial, the little blue and white stickers from apples, the corners of wrappers that had been torn off, and Jolly Rancher wrappers were some of my most common finds. I found that bending to pick up trash helped me to stretch. It also helped to vary my steps and give me something to focus on.
- Give your pain to Jesus. In our pain we can relate to the suffering He experienced on the cross for our salvation. To share in his suffering brings us closer to him.
- No pilgrimage journey is ever taken alone nor needs to be taken alone. Seek the companionship of fellow travelers on the journey with you, even if they are strangers. A kind word or gesture shared between people can provide encouragement and a boost to both the giver and receiver.
- The health of your feet will determine your comfort and ability to complete the route you select. A pair or two of backup socks will ensure you always can keep your feet dry. Some people brought sandals to susbstitute with their hiking boots or shoes. Moleskin is a lifesaver, especially if you experience “hot spots.” These are where excess friction causes your feet to feel like they are burning. Usually a blister follows shortly thereafter. I put moleskin on top of moleskin at one point. And, sure enough, no blisters.
- Never compare your accomplishments against the accomplishments of others. We are each unique and can experience the same event (in this case a pilgrimage) in different ways. Some may be well trained and athletic and view the walk almost as a race completing it in a few short hours. Others may take their time and finish somewhere in the middle of the pack. And there are those like me from the first group that started at 7am in the morning that completed the walk just after 7pm, meaning each mile with stops averaged half an hour. Whatever your pace is right for you. Do not compare and most importantly never be discouraged if others are faster.
- Focus not on how long it is the destination, but on how much you’ve already completed. When people were telling me there were 5 miles to go I responded how I had completed 17 miles already and was focused on taking the next step.
- There is no perfect pilgrimage. Wherever you go, whatever you think, whenever you finish are all exactly what is meant to happen. Whether you complete the full 22 miles or have to bow out after taking a few steps – that is what the pilgrimage is meant to be for you.
Chronology of Churches Visited or Passed
My pilgrimage journey had eight churches, cathedral, and basilica in the line of sight, two of which I visited for mass and four that I visited for either mass or prayer.
- Basilica of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, Michigan – Visited for mass
- St. Stanislaus Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, Wisconsin – Visited for Sing to Mary program
- National Shrine of St. Joseph, De Pere, Wisconsin – Visited for prayer
- St. Willebrord Catholic Church, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Holy Family Catholic Church, Woodruff, Wisconsin
- National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Champion, Wisconsin – Visited for mass
- St. Mary Magdalene, Hazel Park, Michigan