Auriesville Pilgrimage 2024

Spearheaded by Fr. Lafitte in 1993, parishioners of nearby missions of the SSPX have annually gathered at Our Lady of Martyr’s Shrine in Auriesville, New York, to pray and do penance in honor of Sts. Isaac Jogues, René Goupil, and John Lalande. The pilgrimage is defined by the fortitude and perseverance of those attending.

While the pilgrimage consists of a ten-mile journey for the faithful, the high school boys of Mater Dei Academy, accompanied by several faculty and clergy, start their pilgrimage from Lake George, walking an average of 22 miles each day, and camping at night. They will join up with the main pilgrimage on Saturday at Mass.

Due to restrictions imposed by the local diocese, the Solemn High Mass will be held at the lunch site,  but the pilgrimage will still conclude at the shrine with devotions and Stations of the Cross  in the ravine where St. René Goupil shed his blood. See the detailed schedule below, along with some additional pointers and instructions.

Friday, September 27th

5:30 PM - Stations of the Cross
7:30 PM - Campfire Entertainment & Compline

Saturday, September 28th

8:00 AM - Meet at the Shrine
* All cars are to be parked at the Shrine Visitor’s Center parking lot. Pilgrims will be transported to the kick-off site (Lock 10.)
10:00 AM - Introductory Talk at Lock 10 launching the first part of the Pilgrimage
1:00 PM - Mass
2:30 PM - Lunch
3:30 PM - Begin Afternoon March
5:30 PM - Upon arrival at the Shrine, devotions at the Ravine, Stations of the Cross
8:00 PM - Campfire Entertainment & Compline

Sunday, September 29th

9:00 AM - Mass (offsite - location TBD)

•  Once camping set-up is complete, please move cars directly to designated parking areas to minimize the time of vehicles on the grass. In the event of soft ground or rain, we ask campers not to drive on the grass at all, in order that we may avoid property damage.

•   We will have portable facilities and water on site.

•   Please park your vehicles at the Shrine Visitor’s Center. On Saturday morning pilgrims will be shuttled to the kick-off site from this location only.

Additional Information:

Camping Supplies: tent, sleeping bag, bug repellent, garbage bags, flashlights, wet weather needs, easily prepared food

Pilgrim Supplies: Comfortable clothes and shoes, extra socks, wet weather needs, portable water bottle that can be filled/refilled at the camp and lunch site, (stroller), back-pack or sling pouch, lunch, rosary

Water bottles will be available during the walk as well as portable facilities.

Medical personnel will be interspersed among the pilgrims to help with any need or emergency. The Support Crew will help direct traffic and maintain peace.

The pilgrimage will follow a paved bike trail for the most part. Only a few intersections and roads will have to be crossed.

A go-cart drives alongside the pilgrims to help anyone in need.

During the march, pilgrims walk in smaller sectors which will be indicated at the start of the day. In each group the rosary, songs, and meditations are led by a designated parishioner or priest. Priests will be available for hearing confessions during Mass and throughout the pilgrimage.

Lunches should be packed in a portable container which will be left at the kick-off site and transported to the lunch site and the Shrine by the Support Crew.

Addresses

Our Lady of Martyr’s Shrine (Coliseum, Ravine, Camping, Parking)
136 Shrine Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010

Mass and Lunch SiteYankee Hill (Lock 28)
550 Queen Anne Rd.
Amsterdam, NY 12010