The annual Walk to Mary in Wisconsin is a fairly new tradition, established just 13 years ago in 2013. But it’s grown in an incredible way — and those who’ve taken part share remarkable stories of prayers answered and personal transformation.
The pilgrimage begins at the National Shrine of St. Joseph at Old St. Joseph Church on the campus of St. Norbert College in De Pere and ends at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S. On this route, pilgrims have the opportunity to walk from a National Shrine of St. Joseph to a National Marian Shrine, connecting the Holy Family and walking “from Joseph to Mary” much as Our Lord would have done himself as a child.
From Shrine to Shrine, the Walk to Mary winds some 22 miles along the banks of the Fox River and the Niagara Escarpment to the town of Champion, Wisconsin. There are several shorter options besides the full trek, including joining at the 14-mile and 7-mile points, and a 1.7-mile Walk with the Children designed for families and individuals who would like to participate but are challenged to walk longer distances (such as elderly pilgrims and pilgrims with disabilities).
This year’s pilgrimage is projected to be the largest yet, with at least 10,000 pilgrims expected.
“The Walk to Mary registration is already up 80% over last year at this time,” said Tom Schmit, Co-Founder of Walk to Mary.
At least part of this increased interest comes from Green Bay Bishop David L. Ricken declaring earlier this year that Servant of God Adele Brice, the Visionary of Our Lady of Champion, is on the path to sainthood.
Other activities
Besides the Walk to Mary itself, pilgrims traveling to Green Bay can participate in a full weekend of activities:
- Relevant Radio Evening of Prayer and Celebration: On Friday, May 1, Relevant Radio will host a welcoming Spaghetti Dinner.
- Broken Mary Presentation: On Friday, May 1, Kevin Matthews, whose inspiring story is shared in the recent film Broken Mary, will speak at St. Norbert College. On Saturday, the statue will be processed during the Walk to Mary.
- Sing to Mary: On Friday, May 1, a special sacred music concert will be held at the Green Bay Cathedral and feature a collection of musicians from the Diocese of Green Bay performing beautiful sacred music inspired by devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- May Crowning: On Sunday, May 3, at the 11:30 a.m. Mass, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion will celebrate its time-honored tradition of crowning Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Following Mary’s crowning, there will be a Rosary Procession around its grounds.
“The Walk to Mary is a powerful reminder that when we walk with Our Lady, she always leads us closer to the Heart of her Son,” said Rev. Francis Joseph Hoffman, a founder of the Walk to Mary and CEO of Relevant Radio.