PRESS RELEASE: Walk to Mary Marks 12th Anniversary with Special Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2025

 

Walk to Mary Marks 12th Anniversary with Special Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage
Thousands will embark on a 22-mile spiritual journey to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, with special events and Jubilee graces awaiting pilgrims

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – Walk to Mary is thrilled to celebrate its 12th-anniversary pilgrimage on Saturday, May 3, 2025. This beloved 22-mile spiritual journey continues to grow, with thousands of participants from all 50 states and beyond expected to travel to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for a day of prayer, reflection, and connection.

For those unable to complete the full 22 miles, the event offers several join-in points along the route at the 14-, 7-, and 1.7-mile marks—making it accessible to pilgrims of all ages and physical abilities.

“We’ve seen Walk to Mary become more than just a pilgrimage—it’s a life-changing experience for so many people,” said Pat Deprey, a founder of the Walk to Mary. “Each year, we hear incredible stories of healing, conversion, and renewed faith. It’s a reminder that when you take that step toward Mary, she always leads you closer to her Son.”

The Walk to Mary begins each year at the National Shrine of St. Joseph on the campus of St. Norbert College. From there, the path follows the Fox River Trail and winds through the streets of Green Bay, ultimately leading to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. Upon arrival, pilgrims can explore the sacred grounds of the only Church-approved Marian Apparition Site in the United States and participate in a special Mass to conclude the pilgrimage.

2025 Jubilee Year of Hope – A Special Pilgrimage Opportunity

The 2025 Walk to Mary holds special significance as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope. Designated as an official Jubilee Pilgrimage Site, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion will offer pilgrims the opportunity to receive a Jubilee Plenary Indulgence upon completing their pilgrimage, under the usual conditions of sacramental confession, reception of the Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.

“The theme of the Jubilee Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ perfectly reflects the heart of the Walk to Mary,” said Rev. Francis Joseph Hoffman, a founder of the Walk to Mary and CEO of Relevant Radio. “Mary is the ultimate pilgrim of hope, walking in faith and trust as she carried Our Lord. As we walk with her, we are reminded that hope is not just a destination—it’s a way of walking with God in every step of life.”

This year’s Walk to Mary provides a unique and powerful way for participants to experience the Jubilee graces firsthand, uniting their personal journey of faith with the larger spiritual renewal taking place within the Church worldwide.

Full Weekend of Activities for Pilgrims

In addition to the Walk to Mary itself, pilgrims traveling to Green Bay will have the opportunity to participate in several special events designed to enhance the pilgrimage experience and foster community:

• Relevant Radio Evening of Celebration – On Friday, May 2, 2025, Relevant Radio will host a welcoming Spaghetti Dinner in honor of their 25^th anniversary, where pilgrims can enjoy a hearty meal and connect with fellow walkers before the pilgrimage. Tickets are on sale now.
• Sing to Mary: A Sacred Music Concert – On the evening of Friday, May 2, a special sacred music concert will be held at the Green Bay Cathedral. The concert, titled “Sing to Mary,” will feature a collection of musicians from the Diocese of Green Bay performing beautiful sacred music inspired by devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Registration for this event is open to participants in the pilgrimage and can be found at WalktoMary.com.
• Young Adult Meetups – For young adults and singles looking to meet new people and build faith-based connections, Catholic Singles Events Newsletter will host meetups throughout the weekend. These gatherings will offer a relaxed, welcoming environment for making new friends and building faith-centered relationships.

A Banner Year for Green Bay and Walk to Mary

The 2025 Walk to Mary will take place just two weeks after the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Green Bay for the first time. The city will be buzzing with energy from this historic event, making it an exciting time to visit and experience the unique blend of faith, community, and tradition that Green Bay has to offer.

Adding to the excitement, Walk to Mary was recently honored as Discover Green Bay’s 2024 Event of the Year—a recognition of the event’s growing impact and significance both locally and nationally.

“We are humbled to see how Walk to Mary has grown into a nationally recognized pilgrimage,” said Deprey. “This award reflects the dedication of our volunteers, the faith of our pilgrims, and the grace of God working through this event.”

Registration Now Open

Walk to Mary has become one of the most impactful spiritual pilgrimages in the United States, drawing participants of all ages and backgrounds seeking to deepen their faith and grow closer to God. Early registration is encouraged, as participation numbers have increased steadily each year.

To learn more about Walk to Mary or to register for the event, visit WalktoMary.com.

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About Walk to Mary
The Walk to Mary is an annual pilgrimage event on the first Saturday of May. Founded in 2012, Walk to Mary calls pilgrims worldwide to participate in a 22-mile spiritual walking journey from the National Shrine of St. Joseph in De Pere, WI, to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI. Its mission is to inspire and equip the faithful to live out and embrace their identity in Christ through pilgrimage to the first and only Marian Apparition Site in the United States.

For more information, visit walktomary.com, or follow along on Facebook.

About Relevant Radio
Relevant Radio brings Christ to the world through the media with informative, entertaining, and interactive programming twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. The Relevant Radio network is currently serving the Church by broadcasting coast-to-coast on over 200 owned and operated and affiliate stations, reaching over 270 million souls. Programming can be heard worldwide via streaming audio at relevantradio.com and on the free mobile app.

About the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Located in Champion, Wisconsin, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is the first and only Marian Apparition Site in the United States approved by the authority of the Catholic Church. The Shrine covers the peace-filled holy ground where Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to a Belgian immigrant woman named Adele Brise on October 9, 1859, identifying herself as “The Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners.” Recognized under the title of “Our Lady of Good Help” before 2023, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion continues the mission of Adele Brise – to foster conversion, teach the children, and minister to the sick and old.

For more information on the Shrine, its history, and events, visit www.championshrine.org or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To sign up for its newsletter, click here.