After the "M" of Mary Pilgrimage, a Great March of Saint Joseph

After the success of the "M" of Mary pilgrimage in France last year, a new pilgrimage to Saint Joseph is taking place this summer, called "The Great March of Saint Joseph". On June 7, 2021, pilgrims began to travel the roads of France from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre in Paris and will conclude their pilgrimage on August 15, 2021, in Cotignac (southern France), a village where the Virgin Mary appeared on August 10-11, 1519, and later St. Joseph himself on June 7, 1660. This new pilgrimage was especially organized to celebrate the "Year of St. Joseph" launched by Pope Francis for 2021.

The departure and arrival dates are very significant, since June 7 is the day of St. Joseph’s apparition in the woods of Bessillon, a natural site in Cotignac (Var department), and August 15 is the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, celebrated each year with great solemnity in Cotignac.

Everyone can participate and do any or all segments of the pilgrimage, "even just for a day or an afternoon," says organizer Dominique Chevillard. "We invite everyone, families, young people, single pilgrims, those who go to church occasionally and even the bystanders who happen to be there and are moved by the passing procession.”

The itinerary passes through important French shrines, such as Vézelay and Paray-le-Monial. Pilgrims are walking about 15 kilometers each day, following fixed overnight stops. Special celebrations and gatherings await them in the evening in some of the towns, organized by local parishes. "We let the local bishops and boy scout troops know the dates at which we will be camping in their area. The activities are very diverse: Adoration, singing, scouting-style campfire activities etc. It will be whatever our hosts want to organize" Chevillard says.

He adds: "We hope to reach many people and to move them, including the nonbelievers."

For his part, rector of the Cotignac shrine Brother Hubert Marie, who will welcome the pilgrims for the closing ceremony on August 15, observes that “Saint Joseph is a very popular saint. People have a great love for him. He is a saint for everyone: married couples, families, the dying, workers... he’s a saint for everyday life. Saint Joseph leads us to Mary, who appeared in Cotignac carrying Jesus in her arms. We will entrust ourselves to these three united hearts during the pilgrimage."

Translated and adapted from:

https://www.famillechretienne.fr/36551/article/la-grande-marche-de-saint-joseph-traversera-la-france-cet-ete