Meditations 2013

This year, the theme of the pilgrimage will be: Education, path to holiness.

As with every year, the chapter will help to prepare meditations on this theme.

Anyone interested in writing a meditation should email Katie for more information.
oopseywoopsey@gmail.com

The 31st Paris to Chartres Pilgrimage

The Chartres Pilgrimage is a three-day walk from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Chartres, a city south-west of Paris.

Pilgrimage to Chartres is a tradition that reaches back into the depths of history. The pagans venerated the Virgo Paritura or Virgin giving birth to a God; the Christians 
took that to be a dim prefiguring of Our Blessed Lady and built successive Churches and then Cathedrals on the site of the current Cathedral in Chartres.

The present pilgrimage, which originated in the 12th century,  was revived in 1983
after nearly a century of neglect, and draws a crowd of upwards of 12,000 pilgrims
from over 30 countries for three days of prayer and penance.

Pilgrims are organized into groups of 20-60 people. Each group is referred to as a 'chapter'.
Pilgrims walk through the streets of Paris, the countryside, and finally the city of Chartres.
The terrain can be muddy, rocky, an demanding, but the rewards of such a penitential
exercise are eternal.

Chapters are led by laymen, with the help of chaplains, who organise the chapter, meditations
rosary, and prayers. Chaplains, priests and religious accompany the pilgrims as they walk,
hearing confession and teaching. The Mass is celebrated every day according to the Roman
Missal of Pope John XXIII. The liturgy is the traditional Latin one: magnificent instrument
or prayer, stressing the universal character of the Mass.

The Irish Chapter, under the patronage of St Patrick, has taken part in the pilgrimage since
1998. As well as pilgrims from all over Ireland, we welcome people from other countries
who wish to walk with us.

The pilgrimage takes place from the 18th to the 20th of May 2013.

Des Roche Memorial Fund The Des Roche memorial fund is a fund dedicated to helping those who are either still in school or unwaged to attend the annual Paris to Chartres pilgrimage. Much of the fund is due to a yearly donation from a donor in Dublin to whom we are very grateful. If you would like to donate to this fund please contact Vicky Nestor @vickynestor@gmail.com The Des Roche memorial fund was set up in recognition of the dedication of Des Roche of Model Farm Road, Cork City to the spread of the Extraordinary Rite (Traditional Latin Mass) in the Diocese of Cork and Ross and of his love for the annual Paris to Chartres pilgrimage. Des first came with the Irish Chapter on pilgrimage in 2003 and from the outset it was obvious that he would be a valuable member of the Irish Chapter. His good humour and selflessness was apparent to all and more than enriched the life of the Chapter over the days of the pilgrimage. When many Irish pilgrims had reached the end of their tether and could no longer carry the banners or Cross, Des was there leading the way, laughing and encouraging all especially the younger pilgrims. If one was lost and looking for the Chapter amongst the thousands of pilgrims one only need to look for a tall man and his panama hat! His loss is great and felt dearly by members of both the Latin Mass Society of Ireland and by St. Patrick' s Chapter. Des Roche RIP 2008

General Information on the Pilgrimage

  

Pilgrims walk 62 miles between the two cathedrals  in three days. This involves a
considerable effort, long hours of walking, and early mornings.  In addition, the pilgrims
camp for the two nights. Therefore, it is advised that only those physically able take part in
the pilgrimage.

Food during the pilgrimage:

Water is supplied throughout the walk. Bread is supplied at lunch time and at the campsite
in the evening. 
Soup is also available in the evening and breakfast (coffee, hot chocolate, bread)is supplied 
in the mornings.However, pilgrims should bring their own food with them to supplement 
the food provided. This should be organised in advance of the pilgrimage as there are very 
few opportunities to buy food. 

Medical assistance:

Permanent medical assistance is available from the doctors and hospitallers of the Order of 
Malta, who have an outdoor hospital at each campsite.Throughout the walk, shuttle buses 
provide transport for pilgrims who can no longer walk or, in case of emergency, to take
them to hospital.

Luggage arrangements:

At the start of the pilgrimage, pilgrims place their heavy luggage onto a lorry, it is then 
transported to the campsite. Pilgrims only keep a small bag with them, containing their 
food for the day and other essentials.
The Irish Chapter normally place their bags on the truck marked 'etrangers' however this
may changeand pilgrims are advised to ask the Chapter leader before leaving their luggage.
All bags should have the name, address, and chapter of the pilgrim clearly marked. 

The campsite:

The campsite is equipped with wash-basins (cold running water only), toilets, electricity

supply, and collective tents. The tents are single sex and pilgrims are kindly asked to respect

this. There are also allocated areas where pilgrims can pitch their own tents.

On arrival at the campsite, pilgrims collect their luggage and make their way to the collective

tents to set up for the night. 

What to bring:

Good footwear is essential. Whether you choose walking boots or walking shoes it is 

essential that they are broken in before the pilgrimage.

• Please make sure that your health insurance covers you for medical emergency in France,
• Bring your E111 and Passport
• Bring enough money to cover travel from Airport to Paris and back. Also from Chartres to Paris, lunch in Chartres on Tuesday and for donations in Mass during pilgrimage.

Below is a list of recommended items supplied by the organisers of the pilgrimage: 

A small backpack, which the pilgrim carries for the duration, containing: 

• Food: lunch for the day and energy-giving snacks 
• Waterproof raingear (heavy rain possible!)
• pullover
• water bottle (water supplied) and knife/fork/spoon
• cup for tea/coffee/soup
• hat, to protect against the sun
• Pilgrim’s Booklet (supplied)
• Small plastic bag/cover for Pilgrim’s Booklet
• plasters and general simple medication 
• rosary beads 

 A larger bag, which will be taken in the special pilgrimage lorries and which is
retrieved each evening, containing :

- food reserves (for remaining meals)
- torch
- warm jumper/garment (cold early mornings)
- change of clothing (shirts, trousers, vests, socks, etc.)
- light shoes for the evening (good boots recommended for the walk)
- toiletries
- night-clothes
- warm sleeping bag
- personal tent  or Groundsheet and mat (for collective tents)

 (It is essential that all items are wrapped securely in plastic bags to keep them dry)

Images from the pilgrimage

Additional guidelines written by a fellow pilgrim

There are a number of guidelines that you are expected to follow on the pilgrimage.

1. You are part of a group, with a group leader.  You are expected to do as the group leader tells you.

2. You are responsible for your own luggage and your own provisions.  You must ensure that your luggage is placed in a van each day and you must get your own luggage at the end of each day’s walking. 

3. You are responsible for your own sleeping arrangements.  Normally there is a large tent available for pilgrims, but the organisers now advise that you bring your own tent.  There is no groundsheet in the communal tents.  You must bring your own mat and sleeping bag.

4. The walk starts very early in the morning.  You will wake to the sound of religious music, followed by several exhortations to get up and prepare for departure.  You must pack your bags and tent and eat whatever breakfast you have and be prepared to leave the campsite within an hour of being woken.(perhaps less, depending on where the chapter is in marching order). For breakfast, the French provide bread rolls, with hot chocolate or coffee and  sometimes even teabags with hot water. If you want anything else, you should bring it yourself.

5. You must ensure that you take enough provisions with you for each day’s walking.  In addition to food, you will need the chapter booklet, the pilgrimage booklet and probably some plasters or headache tablets. Water is provided at various places along the route. Make sure you take a bottle of water at each stop even if you're not thirsty at the time. Dehydration can catch up with you quite quickly in the hot sun, and it can very unpleasant and even dangerous.

6. You must make every effort to stay with your chapter.  There may be times that you need to go elsewhere,( to seek medical help, or a toilet, or some lost item.  You should try to catch up with the chapter as soon as possible. 

7. The chapter is recognised by its banner and cross.  Our chapter has a very unique (Celtic) cross).  The banner and cross are always at the front of the chapter.  If you are carrying them you must keep pace with the chapter in front of you.  If you are not carrying them you must stay behind them.

8. You must respect other chapters.  If there is a delay, for whatever reason, you should not try to overtake another chapter.  If confessions are being heard you should keep a suitable distance from priest and penitent.  You should not block the route at any time. You must always stay attentive, as the group may be asked to move along at very short notice. 

9. There are several organised groups of pilgrimage assistants, including medical staff, water carriers, campsite staff, transport staff, traffic coordinators and Mass organisers.  You should be respectful of each of these groups and follow their instructions whenever you encounter them.

10. There are a number of jobs that you may be asked to help with during the pilgrimage.  Each chapter needs to watch for traffic and pass signals concerning traffic to other chapters. Pilgrims are also required to carry the banner, flag and cross at various points.  You may be asked to prepare a meditation or read one.  You might also be required to hold the loudspeaker (which can be quite heavy after 14 hours on the road!).

But apart from these 10 commandments, and most importantly of all, you are required to practice all of the Christian virtues, with a special emphasis on charity and forbearance.  The Irish chapter is well known for its singing and also its welcoming attitude to any pilgrims that join us for an hour or a day.  This is  reputation that we would like to keep.  Adhering to the guidelines above will help us all to have a happy and a prayerful pilgrimage