More and more pilgrims are joining the Chartres routes every year. Faced with this influx, and in order to avoid once again limiting the number of participants to 19,000, the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association is planning an internal reorganization in 2026.
Newsdesk (15/05/2025 12:18, Gaudium Press) The annual Pèlerinage de Chartres, one of France’s most renowned Catholic pilgrimages, has capped registrations at 19,000 participants this year—a 5% increase from last year’s record turnout. Due to the surge in interest, organizers will occasionally double the number of walkers along the route. More than 1,000 volunteers and 120 executives from Notre-Dame de Chrétienté will support the pilgrims. For those unable to walk, the “Guardian Angel” chapters remain open, allowing participants to pray for the pilgrimage from afar.
The pilgrimage continues to attract a large number of young Catholics. According to organizers, its appeal lies in its multifaceted spiritual experience:
The 100-kilometer trek from Paris to Chartres is a demanding physical and spiritual challenge. The pilgrimage is a three-day walk (approx. 100 km) from Paris (Notre-Dame) to Chartres Cathedral, a tradition since 1983.
Participants walk in small groups (chapters) organized by parishes, communities, or schools, fostering fellowship. The pilgrimage includes Mass, confessions, adoration, and traditional chant (Gregorian and polyphony).
The journey fosters deep bonds among participants, making the effort sustainable through shared faith and camaraderie.
The pilgrimage begins with a Low Mass at Saint-Sulpice in Paris (without a homily for logistical reasons).
On June 8, Bishop Athanasius Schneider (Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan) will celebrate Mass.
On the final day, Father Jean de Massia, chaplain of Notre-Dame de Chrétienté, will officiate, with a homily by Bishop Philippe Christory of Chartres.
Due to the overwhelming crowds, two Holy Doors will be installed outside Chartres Cathedral, allowing pilgrims to complete the Jubilee procession (marking the 1,000th anniversary of Notre-Dame de Chartres) without entering the packed cathedral.
“That He May Reign”: A Timeless Theme
This year’s theme—”That He May Reign, on Earth as It Is in Heaven”—commemorates the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius XI’s encyclical Quas primas, which established the Feast of Christ the King. Organizers emphasize that Christ’s kingship remains highly relevant today, calling Catholics to infuse society with Christian virtues while navigating modern secularism.
When asked whether the concept of Christ’s social kingship clashes with French secularism organizers acknowledged the tension but pointed to Pope Francis’ recent call for “healthy secularism”—one that allows faithful dialogue rather than silencing religious voices. They warned against any form of secularism that marginalizes believers, echoing St. John Paul II’s caution against “underhand totalitarianism.”
As the pilgrimage sets new records, it stands as a powerful testament to the vibrant faith of young French Catholics and their desire for tradition, community, and spiritual challenge.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from riposte-catholique.fr
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