From Joseph to Mary to Jesus.
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. Starts at Old St. Joseph Church at 7am.
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
The route is divided into four segments, representing the four mysteries of the rosary. For pilgrims who cannot walk the entire distance you have options to start the pilgrimage at any of the “JOIN IN” points along the way! If you join in along the route you must get to that location at the appropriate time. WAIT for Mary and the pilgrimage to get there, and then “join in”. Please do not start on your own. Water may not be out on the route. The medical team might not be there yet. The fatigued pilgrim vans will not be able to assist you. Plus, there are areas of the route where police escort us because of the dangerous and busy traffic.
Simply be patient and WAIT for Mary!
If you join the pilgrimage at any of the “JOIN IN” points please make sure you arrive at that point before the other pilgrims arrive. See the Walking Pace below for estimated arrival times and directions. 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 will be made 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. There will also be buses following pilgrims the last 7 miles all the way to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. Buses are also available to either transport fatigued Pilgrims directly from our lunch location (Holy Cross Parish) to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion or back to SS Peter and Paul Parish or Humana Parking Lot.
Walking Pace
Walking at approximately 2.5 miles per hour the Pilgrims 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 | 9:30AM | 14 miles | ||
| Holy Cross Parish LUNCH | 12:15PM | 7 miles | ||
| National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion | 3:30PM | 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.)
Busing & Shuttles
Shuttle buses are available starting at 5:30am – 6:45am from the parking area at Humana Office Complex to the starting location at Old St. Joesph church on the St. Norbert College campus. At the end of the pilgrimage, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, shuttle buses will be available both before and after the 3:30pm mass and before and after the 5:15pm mass to take you back to any join-in location and the Humana parking area. Buses will run until approximately 8pm.
