From Joseph to Mary to Jesus.
Starts at 7am
From Shrine to Shrine (National Shrine of St. Joseph at Old St. Joseph Church on the campus of St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI), the Walk to Mary winds approximately 22 miles from De Pere, WI, along the banks of the Fox River and the Niagara Escarpment to the town of Champion, WI. This one-of-a-kind Pilgrimage proves to be a physical and spiritual test in perseverance for nearly everyone. The route has been customized into segments to suit your comfort and ability. You can easily join-in at any join-in point along the way.
New Interactive Map
Explore our new interactive map to see all join-in locations, mile markers, medical stations, and rest stops along the 22-mile Walk to Mary route. Zoom in for details and plan your journey!
See the video below for instructions on using the interactive map.
The pilgrimage ends at the Shrine,
but starts in your heart.
The pilgrimage ends at the Shrine,
but starts in your heart.
Join-In Points
For pilgrims who cannot walk the entire distance, starting at the National Shrine of St. Joseph, you have options to start your pilgrimage at any of the “JOIN-IN” points along the way! If you join-in along the route get to that location at the appropriate time. We prefer you WAIT for Mary and the pilgrimage to get there, and then “join in”. A statue of Mary is carried by pilgrims for the entire route as she leads the way to her Shrine.
See the Walking Pace below for estimated arrival times. PARKING Instructions can be found by clicking here.
Please Note: If you are “JOINING IN” at Holy Cross Parish, please arrive early to provide enough time to enjoy your lunch before starting the pilgrimage.
Transportation for Fatigued Pilgrims
Transportation is available to assist Pilgrims who struggle to complete the walk. Courtesy vans are available throughout the entire route to pick up, assist, and transport fatigued pilgrims who may be struggling. The goal is to move fatigued pilgrims forward to help them eventually get to Mary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. Buses are also available to transport fatigued Pilgrims directly from our lunch location (Holy Cross Parish) to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.
Walking Pace
Walking at approximately 2.5 miles per hour the Pilgrims and the stature of Mary (the front of the pilgrimage) should reach the following locations at the approximate times shown.
| Location | Time | Miles to Go | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| START – Old St. Joseph Church | 7:00AM | 22 miles | ||
| St. Peter & Paul Parish | 9:00AM | 14 miles | ||
| Holy Cross Parish LUNCH | 11:50AM | 7 miles | ||
| National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion | 3:00PM | 0 miles |
Lunch
A complimentary sandwich style lunch will be provided at Holy Cross Parish overlooking the Bay of Green Bay.
(Approximately the midway point of the pilgrimage.)
