The Mont Saint-Michel Pilgrimage
Every year, an impressive number of visitors or pilgrims travel to Mont Saint-Michel. Whether they are believers or not, they are always drawn to the mount and the sumptuous statue of the Archangel Saint Michael that overlooks it.
Christians who make the Mont Saint-Michel pilgrimage are called miquelots. Their goal is to cross the bay of the mount at low tide and then walk through the small paved streets until they reach the magnificent abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, perched at the top of the rock.
Origin of the Mont Saint-Michel Pilgrimage
Devotion to Saint Michael the Archangel developed mainly from the 5th century onward in the West, notably thanks to the foundation, around 492, of the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo on the Gargano, in Apulia, Italy.
It is in 708 that the sanctuary, which will become "Mont Saint-Michel," is created by Saint Aubert, on Mont Tombe, after the apparition of the Archangel. Devotion is only further strengthened.
The first pilgrim to come to the mount, around 867, was a Frankish monk named Bernard. This monk was a regular pilgrim as he had just been to Rome, Monte Gargano, Jerusalem and Bethlehem, on foot.
The centuries pass and the cult of Saint Michael only strengthens. In the 11th century, the pre-Romanesque abbey church of the mount was enlarged and structures to welcome pilgrims were built, intensifying pilgrimages. These facilities only grew year after year, businesses settled on the mount and developed considerably. Everything stops after the promulgation of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy during the French Revolution. Religious orders are then suppressed and the abbey completely emptied. Mont Saint-Michel is turned into a prison. It is not until 1863 that the abbey is restored to worship. The structures for welcoming pilgrims are reinstalled. However, the number of pilgrims to the mount remains, at least in the first years, very low.
The Different Routes Leading to Mont Saint-Michel
There is only one official route to come to Mont Saint-Michel: the Véloscénie. This route, going from Paris to the mount (passing through Chartres and Alençon), was listed in 2012. It is number 40 in the national scheme of cycle routes and greenways in France. Of course, there are many others, unofficial ones. In fact, as early as 1552, a manual: Guide des chemins (Guide of Roads) describes the different accesses to various European places.
About ten routes to the mount are recorded, not counting secondary paths.
In early 1998, an association was created: "Les Chemins du Mont Saint-Michel". Its aim is to rediscover and promote ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the mount, and also to restore its cultural and spiritual dimensions. In 2009, the association changed its name to "Les chemins de saint Michel" (The Paths of Saint Michael).
Reopening of Pilgrimages in 2025
Since May 2025, official pilgrimages to the mount have resumed, for all pilgrims coming from France and elsewhere. For the first edition, which took place from May 8 to 11, 500 pilgrims walked from Saint-Malo Cathedral and went to the abbey.
Why Go on a Pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel?
Entrust Yourself to Saint Michael the Archangel
Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Saint Michael is a powerful protector against the forces of evil. Praying to the chief of angels is therefore an act of trust and faith. You can ask him to be our guide in the spiritual battle in order to fight against temptations, doubt, and straying and to support us in our moments of weakness. Indeed, Saint Michael protects the faithful who pray to him and helps them remain faithful to God. He is a true spiritual guide in the fight against the evil one and sin.
Hozana offers many prayer communities to pray to the Holy Archangel, some have even been written by the Rector of Mont Saint-Michel.
Surrender and Trust in Saint Michael
The journey to the mount is difficult. Crossing the bay on foot, in the cold water, avoiding the dangers of quicksand, crossing rivers, considering tides and weather... This pilgrimage is not to be undertaken on a whim, without preparation. Some like to compare this journey to the Hebrews' march in the desert, going to the Promised Land.
Indeed, the pilgrim must show resilience, sometimes going beyond their physical capabilities to complete their journey. It is an opportunity for them to show humility, to surrender to Saint Michael and to trust. A blind trust full of love. During their walk, one can pray to Saint Michael for the deceased of their family, to do penance, to ask for his protection, or to hope for his intercession for a healing.
At the end of this pilgrimage await the great steps leading to the abbey church. This last little "trial" leads the pilgrim to the One who loves them more than anything and who awaits them.
However, it should be noted that crossing the bay cannot be done without a guide. The many patches of quicksand that line it are very dangerous and quickly trap pilgrims. Therefore, it is very important to organize your pilgrimage well by being accompanied or to take part in an official pilgrimage.
Prayers for the Pilgrim
The Prayer of the Miquelot, to Recite Before Making a Pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel
"Lord, here we are, miquelots.
Pilgrims, walking towards Mont-Saint-Michel.
Deign to bless us
and be the companion of this journey!
Over there, at the summit of the Mount,
the statue of the archangel attracts us and magnetizes our gaze.
It speaks with the sky and protects men
from the great tides of the world.
Poor, with open hands and bare feet,
We desire with our whole being,
In this passage through the waters,
Conversion to the Gospel and to belong only to you.
Deign, Lord, to bless us.
We ask this of you, Lord of the sea and waves,
who once opened the sea before your people,
you, the Lord who guides us, through Christ our Lord.
Amen"
Prayer written by Father Jacques Nieuviarts, Assumptionist.
Blessing of the Mont Saint-Michel Pilgrims
"May your blessing, Lord, descend upon us. Accompany us
on our pilgrimage journey.
You know that we walk today for ourselves and for the
world, especially those who have entrusted themselves to our prayer on this
day.
May our pilgrim steps slip into those of Saint Michael invoked
in this place.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
This prayer can be recited as a novena to prepare for a pilgrimage or to experience a first interior pilgrimage.
"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
Continue Your Prayer with Hozana and Go on a Pilgrimage!
, patron saint and protector of France, for nine days!
Pray for 9 days with , so that he may help you welcome the consolation that God wants to give to each one of us!
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