Pilgrimages for Fathers

Taking time to pause, give thanks, share, take stock, and entrust prayer intentions—those are the common features of all the pilgrimages for fathers. There are more than eighty of them, held each year, generally in June or July. It is then an opportunity for these men—already fathers, or not yet—to share their thoughts about that great role of fatherhood.

Pilgrimage to Cotignac

The most famous pilgrimage for fathers is certainly Cotignac. It was created, somewhat by chance, in 1976 by a young father whose wife was experiencing a very difficult pregnancy. The doctors were not optimistic about the baby’s health. The couple therefore went to Cotignac at the end of winter to pray to the Holy Family. The soon-to-be father promised to return there, departing on foot from Aix-en-Provence, if the delivery went well. A little girl, Emmanuelle, was born in perfect health. Her father decided to keep his promise. So, in July 1976, accompanied by a younger friend, not yet married, the new father set off from Aix toward Cotignac. His wife and their baby would meet them directly on site. The two men set out with no very precise itinerary, but with a rosary in hand. They prayed along the road to Saint Joseph, to the Holy Virgin Mary, and to their Son. They entrusted their intentions with simplicity and trust. A few days later they rejoined the young man’s wife and daughter. They gave thanks to God and to Mary for having heard their prayer.

The following year, the father returned to Cotignac, this time with another friend. And the year after that they were five or six setting out, of different ages and marital and family situations. Along the way they entrusted everything that weighed on them: desire for a child, marriage, work, health, cancer, a child going astray, long-term unemployment, a wife who had left, family conflicts, etc. The pilgrimage was born. Each year the group grew and, from 1982 onward, the pilgrims were welcomed at Notre-Dame de Grâce by the Community of Saint John, to whom the sanctuary had been entrusted.

“This brotherhood of fathers is beautiful, in that it wakes pilgrims up and makes them discover the boldness of being missionary Christians. It is BEAUTIFUL.”

—Alexis, Cotignac pilgrim.

Pilgrimage to Montligeon

Every year, 250 to 300 fathers from all walks of life gather to walk together to the sanctuary of the chapel of Montligeon, in the Perche. Whatever the state of one’s family, one’s life journey, and one’s faith, it is an opportunity to meet and converse in simplicity with other fathers who, without knowing it, may be living through similar situations. The pilgrimage takes place over a weekend and covers a distance of thirty-five kilometers.

Pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne d’Auray

Sainte-Anne d’Auray is the most important pilgrimage site in Brittany. It is the only place in the world where Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, appeared—to a peasant of the village of Ker Anna—during the 17th century. The pilgrimage proposed for fathers covers forty-five kilometers and lasts two days. It offers a time of intimacy with the Lord and a beautiful spiritual adventure, with wonderful moments of fellowship with other husbands and fathers.

Pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel

“A privileged time of walking, prayer, and sharing among men, in the light of Christ. We share what we are carrying, and we pray for others.”

—Thomas, father and pilgrim to Mont-Saint-Michel.

Each year, the Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc parish of Versailles organizes a pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel for all the fathers of the city, to meet up there with other pilgrims—fathers from the Greater West, Normandy, and Île-de-France. The pilgrimage lasts two days and is an opportunity for men to come together and share about the beauty of the role the Lord has entrusted to them. It is a time of listening, sharing, reflection, and, of course, prayer. These are moments of incredible intensity and strength. To pray, among fathers, while walking and crossing the bay of the mount, under the gaze of Saint Michael and the protection of Saint Joseph, is an exceptional moment.

All fathers or men awaiting fatherhood, from 18 to 98, married or not, divorced, widowed, believers or not, sure of their faith or in full doubt, walkers or not—each one is welcomed with open arms, with brotherhood and kindness. The pilgrims are divided into small groups to facilitate sharing, accompanied by a priest. The route is about twenty kilometers per day and presents no particular difficulty. The pilgrimage takes place from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.

Pilgrimage in Île-de-France

Over the course of a weekend, all fathers of any age able to walk are invited to pray and take a break. It is a unique opportunity to step back and live a time of intimacy with Christ, entrusting family troubles to him. As this is a regional pilgrimage, you need to register on the website in order to find out your route. The pilgrimage itself is about forty-five kilometers to be covered in two days on the paths of Seine-et-Marne, with one night under canvas. The walk is punctuated by times of fellowship and sharing about the richness—and difficulty—of being a husband and father. There are also several teachings, under the protective gaze of Saint Joseph, in order to grow in human and spiritual fatherhood.

Prayer of the Pilgrims of Saint Joseph

“O glorious Saint Joseph, head of the Holy Family of Nazareth,
so zealous in providing for all its needs;
extend your tender solicitude over our families and our communities;
take under your guidance all the spiritual and temporal affairs that concern them,
and bring them to an outcome for the glory of God and the salvation of our souls.
Amen.”

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