Pentecost Pilgrimage 2025: Sunday, June 8

To the sound of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the courageous pilgrims from Chartres packed up their packs and had a hearty breakfast: more than 38 km awaited them. With the Auvergne-Limousin region in the lead, the column set off on paths wet from the night's downpours, and the pilgrims resumed their efforts "for our Mother, the Holy Church."

Pilgrims' Smiles

"The Church is Roman, and with her, we are Roman." For this reason, it is necessary… to publicly bear witness to our status as Roman Catholics,” wrote Fr. Peignot to the walkers. Faithful to this counsel, the pilgrims sing and pray with all their hearts… the rosary and the songs are all the more resonant.

“It’s so beautiful, it lifts your spirits, it’s magnificent! You are so courageous,” raved cyclists slowed by the pilgrimage. “They smile so much, it’s crazy!” remarked another passerby. Witnessing with their songs, but also their courage and smiles, mission accomplished for the adults.

“Great, a Climb!”

The children are no less deserving. After a stretch of bus travel to start the day, they too set off through the countryside towards the Sainte Apolline Forest, the lunchtime rest stop. Upon arriving at the site, the tired pilgrims lit up: "Phew, finally a break!" could be read on their lips.

At 1 p.m., the invigorated young people hit the road again, bursting with energy despite the 33 km they had traveled from Chartres. "Great, a climb," exclaimed the young people of the Saint-Guénolé chapter as the road headed skyward. "Can we run up the hill?" asked the children of Saint-Jean-François-Régis to their chapter leader.

After a 44 km walk for the children from Chartres, and nearly 80 km for the adults, around 5 p.m. the first chapters passed through the gates of the "Trou Moreau" and were directed to the upper area of ​​the bivouac where the pontifical mass began at 6 p.m. Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta celebrated it in front of more than 6,400 faithful.

The Unity of the Church Highlighted During the Homily

Bishop de Galarreta preached on the mystery of the Church and more specifically on its unity. "Our Lord founded only one Church: 'I will build my Church, there will be only one fold and one shepherd.' The Church is one, first in the Faith and consequently in the truth," affirmed the Bishop.

Unity of Faith is accompanied by the unity of worship: "it expresses the Faith, it is shaped by the Faith and the true Magisterium," he recalled. The prelate then noted the unity of government that forms the communion among the members of the Church. "All pontificates must be in the same direction, even in time."

The fourth unity is unity of mission. "Teach all nations, whoever believes and is baptized will be saved," the bishop recalled, quoting the Gospel before continuing: "With the situation in which we find ourselves, it is a matter of continuing this unity of the Catholic Faith, of living it, defending it, and building it up."

After the Effort 

After Mass, the pilgrims went on a bag hunt before settling in and eating. Then came the traditional Sunday evening vigil around a huge bonfire. Fire-eaters were present, to the great joy of young and old alike. After evening prayer, the pilgrims fell asleep under the protection of Heaven... and the security service.