Chartres 2008
Thursday, 15 May 2008 — 8:37 pm
It’s that time of year again. This Pentecost weekend, 10,000 traditional Catholic pilgrims walked en masse over the space of three days from Paris to Chartres. The annual “Notre Dame de Chrétienté” (Our Lady of Christendom) pilgrimage is mostly French but with a healthy spattering of Britons, Americans, and others to add to their happy numbers. It begins in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on the vigil of Pentecost and ends up at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres on Pentecost Monday, which is traditionally a day off in France. Traditional Masses are said each day (with confessions heard beforehand) along the route.
10,000 pilgrims is a rather large group of people, and too many for the Cathedral of Chartres to hold, so the overflow park themselves outside and the Mass is relayed to them on large television screens.
Andrew,
Wonderful spread of pictures; thank you!
Personal question: have you been before, or if not, do you intend to? I should like to go next year.
I’ve been there! It was my second time after last year’s edition, so this time we were able to create an Spanish Chapter to go Chartres. I still have no words to express all feelings, motions, inspirations and graces I received through this three days, and the great great people I’ve found in the walk. For the next year I encourage all your Spanish readers to join: really worths it!
Regards,
Rafael
Mark,
I’ve been to Chartres but I’ve never been on the pilgrimage, though I’ve long wanted to and certainly plan on doing it eventually. Next year’s not possible for me, but I hope not long after that.
Inspiring!
Events such as this one remind even the most reluctant hearts of their heritage. Chartres is magnificent. See it soon, alas…
Thank you for the marvelous photo gallery.
I have just read how few Catholics are left in France! This shows a quite different picture, thank you very much!
We need to share the many signs of hope that Christ allows us in this world in order to combat the pervasive darkness and despair.