Way of St. Joseph Walking Pilgrimage

Honor St. Joseph by participating in a free, family-friendly walking pilgrimage on Saturday, April 27. The Way of St. Joseph will begin at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Mishawaka, wind its way along the River Walk, and eventually end up at St. Joseph Church, South Bend. There will be three other on-ramps along the way for families for whom the entire pilgrimage would be too taxing. The event will end with a prayer service, food, and fellowship in the fenced-in parking lot and playground at St. Joseph Parish.

Join us on Saturday, April 27, 2024!

The Way of St. Joseph is a pilgrimage between St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka and St. Joseph Catholic Church in South Bend held on the Saturday before the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Join us as we honor St. Joseph in a region that gives that name pride of place for its churches, river, and county.

For those who are unable to complete the five-mile pilgrimage at once, there are recommended access points along the way. When you register, please select the point where you plan to join so we know how many people to expect. (You will be able to edit your sign-up later if you change your mind.)

Journeying on this pilgrimage is a time to praise God through His son’s adoptive father, reflecting on the terrific sacrifices Joseph made to be a quiet man of God and to trust God’s plans for him and his family.

Route guide register

Prayer and Departure

The Way of St. Joseph departs from St. Joseph Parish, Mishawaka. The parish will open for 7 a.m. Mass followed by adoration before the Blessed Sacrament from 7:30-9 a.m.

At 9 a.m., there will be an opening prayer before pilgrims set out toward the St. Joseph River and its walking trails, ultimately ending up on the East Bank Trail.

ROUTE MAP

Access Points

Those who cannot walk the five-mile length of the route may join us at additional access points along the Way.

Access Point 1: The parking lot along the river by Veteran’s Memorial Park at around 10:30 a.m. (2 miles to destination).

Access Point 2: Howard Park at around 11:20 a.m. (0.5 mile to destination).

Destination

The pilgrimage will arrive at St. Joseph South Bend before a 12 p.m. pilgrim prayer service hosted at the church. Afterward, stay to enjoy music and fellowship with your fellow pilgrims. Food will be available at low costs for lunch.

Free bus rides back to the St. Joseph Parish, Mishawaka as well as both access points will be available from 12-1:30

Preparing for a Pilgrimage

Christians have been making pilgrimages since within 100 years of the Resurrection of Christ. It is one of our oldest forms of prayer. Many people think a pilgrimage has to be made to the Holy Land, Rome, or some other far off place, but the reality is that any journey where we set out to reach a destination and bring our prayers to God through Mary and the saints is a pilgrimage.

For that reason, it is important that each of us take time to consider what intentions we will bring to St. Joseph on the pilgrimage. Families should take time together talking with their children about what each child would like to tell St. Joseph. Children will be encouraged to bring a drawing or written intention to have brought up as an offertory during the prayer service at St. Joseph Parish, South Bend. All are welcome to carry something, such as a rock, prayer card, cross, etc. that helps in feeling connected to St. Joseph.

Looking for more?

The Way of St. Joseph Pilgrimage is sponsored by Marriage and Family Ministry.

Marriage and Family Ministry

Thank you to our partner, Modern Catholic Pilgrim, for assisting with pilgrimage logistics.

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