The Good Pilgrim’s Handbook
Pilgrimage is a natural need of the believer who understands fully that earthly life is only a temporary sojourn on the way to the house of the Heavenly Father. A pilgrimage, then, is a hardship taken up deliberately as an offering to God. A pilgrimage is not a hike. Whoever decides to become a pilgrim must recognize its religious character and accept the norms of conduct proper to pilgrimage.
Youth under 18 have a special task: to bring an adult along on the pilgrimage trail and take part under that person's care. This requires the knowledge and consent of parents or guardians, confirmed in writing. Youth under 18 are excused from the duty of recruiting adults, but must obtain written parental or guardian consent to walk.
Every pilgrim gladly and gratefully follows the instructions of the traffic marshals in reflective vests.
While marching, especially on roads with heavy traffic, walk single file and as close as possible to the LEFT edge of the shoulder (OPP instruction).
As an act of pilgrim self-denial, pilgrims leave their private cars at home and forgo the company of non-pilgrims. The pilgrimage is accompanied only by support vehicles engaged by the organizers (an OPP requirement).
Mind your dress, which should suit the spirit of pilgrimage. Graphics, slogans or images worn on shirts, and symbols worn as necklaces, earrings and the like, that contradict the values proclaimed by the Gospel are forbidden.
On the march we care for our own health and our neighbour's, and so we fill our lungs with clean air. Smoking is strictly forbidden while walking, and at rest stops smokers should not disturb non-smokers.
Healthy abstinence binds all pilgrims: keeping or consuming alcoholic beverages of any kind is prohibited.
Tents may be pitched at night stops only in places designated by the organizers.
We discourage visits from non-participants at the night camps. The pilgrimage program makes no provision for them.
Only married couples after a church wedding may share a tent; no other co-ed arrangement is possible.
Night quiet is the time for rest, relaxation and gathering strength for the day ahead. It lasts from 22:00 until 6:00 the following morning.
The joyful privilege and blessing of every pilgrim is active participation in the morning Masses, conferences and all prayer gatherings.
Before leaving a night stop, every pilgrim leaves behind the best possible testimony, tidying their camping spot willingly and unprompted. Cleanliness at the stops and in the toilets speaks volumes here. On our culture depends whether the hosts will agree to welcome the pilgrimage again next year.
These regulations are in force this year from the pilgrims' Mass on Monday, August 3, until the solemn Mass on Sunday, August 9. Failure to observe them may result in a participant's removal from the pilgrimage.