Information for Pilgrims
 
37th Walking Pilgrimage
from Great Meadows, NJ to American Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA

August 8th - August 11th, 2024 

We often think of a pilgrimage as a strenuous trek throughout a country or region. Although the nature of a pilgrimage may be very much that, what we learn, discover, experience, endure, encounter along the way is the very essence of stepping outside of yourself and connecting with your faith; awakening your soul!
We live in a day and age where we are so connected to everything else but GOD! When we step outside of our daily lives and routines and set out on a trail of our faith, we are forever changed.

COME JOIN US !

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*** Information Bulletin Board***

~ To cut down on garbage, please bring a re-fillable water bottle with you.
Many stops will have cold drinks so you may re-fill your bottles along
the walking route.

(Posted 7/28/22)

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PIZZA, Soft Ice Cream, drinks, snacks are available for purchase at Hellerick's Family Farm, the last camping night Click here to pre-order.
(Posted 7/15/24)

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~ SEE "LUGGAGE" BELOW
(Posted 6/11/18)

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The Walking Pilgrimage will begin at 7:00 am (registration begins at 5.30am) on Thursday, August 8th at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Great Meadows, NJ.

The conclusion of the Walking Pilgrimage will be a Holy Mass celebrated on Sunday, August 11th at 2:00 pm at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Doylestown, PA.

During the pilgrimage, Mass is celebrated daily. There are many opportunities for confession, counseling, reflection and fellowship.

Please note: A pilgrimage is an occasion for penance and prayer,
and requires appropriate behavior as well as the appropriate dress.


Button 2024

You are welcome to join the pilgrimage on whichever day(s) suits you best according to the times AND locations specified in #2 (General (in-person) Registration) below. You will be transported onto the pilgrimage after you register.

PRIVATE CAR TRANSPORTATION: (Thursday, Great Meadows only): Drivers arriving in Great Meadows on Thursday morning with their cars will receive directions to the American Czestochowa Shrine in Doylestown, PA. Immediately after registering(OR picking up your mailed in registration) and dropping off your luggage, you will drive your car to Doylestown, PA and park in a designated place. From Doylestown, PA , drivers will be transported by buses back to the pilgrimage (lunch stop). The last bus to transport drivers for the pilgrimage departs from Doylestown on Thursday at 9:30 AM.

Drivers arriving to the pilgrimage on Friday or Saturday or Sunday, please drive directly to the American Czestochowa Shrine in Doylestown, PA where you will be transported back to where the walkers are, but only at the times designated in option #2 below (#2 General (in-person) Registration).

What to bring:
A rosary, tent, sleeping bag, rain poncho, comfortable walking shoes, appropriate clothing, lots of socks (about 2-3 pairs per day), some snacks, some first-aid items (powder, bandages) sun screen, hat, bug repellent, dry and wet tissues, towel, toothbrush, personal hygiene items, refillable water bottle, small mini blanket to use to sit on grass, etc.

Luggage: Each person will be given 2 luggage tags.  One tag is for only 1 PIECE OF LUGGAGE NO MORE THAN 40 POUNDS and the other tag is for your own tent.   Please try to pack as light as possible. Label items that will be with you during the day, in case they are lost, with name, address, and phone number, (examples: baby carriages, baby bottles, back packs, hats, books, etc).

Youth under the age of 18, not accompanied by a parent, must be accompanied by a Guardian who is on the pilgrimage and  present a signed copy of a Guardian Permission Slip available for download here at the time of registration.


Please call Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Great Meadows for additional information or questions, 908-637-4269.

By joining this pilgrimage you hold harmless and release, Ss. Peter & Paul Church, the pastor and staff, workers of the Pilgrimage, the Diocese of Metuchen, and the Bishop of Metuchen from and against any and all liability for any type of loss, damage, or injuries.

Regular Registration costs: (See #1 & #3 below for discounted prices)
Seniors (65+): (1-day=$20) (2-days=$40) (3-days=$60) (4-days=$80)

Adults: (1-day=$40) (2-days=$80) (3-days=$120) (4-days=$160)

Young Adults (15-24): (1-day=$30) (2-days=$60) (3-days=$90)
    (4-days=$120)

Children (7-14): (1-day=$20) (2-days=$40) (3-days=$60)
    (4-days=$80)

Young Children (3-6): (One time fee of $10)

Infants (0-2): Free

*** When paying we accept, check, cash, or money order. No credit cards or ATM machines available.

Checks or Money Orders should be made out to: "Ss. Peter & Paul Church".

Included in your registration fee: baggage transport, on-site First Aid, rest stops, campsites, meals & drinks, Port-A-Johns, permits, gasoline costs, etc.

NOTE: NO PETS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED ON THE PILGRIMAGE.

NOTE: NO REGISTRATION IN THE PARKS. If you intend to register in the parks an additional "Park Fee" of $25 will be added to your registration total.

There are 3 ways to join our Walking Pilgrimage;
1) Registering By Mail (Discount)   AVAILABLE JUNE 1st
2) General (in-person) Registration
3) Pre-Registration (Discount)


See below for all these details and decide what is best for you. We kindlly ask you strongly consider Registering By Mail or Pre-Register (same discount for both).

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1) Registering By Mail

DISCOUNT for Registering by Mail before JULY 28th
*** If Registrating By Mail you MUST pick up your registration packet at the church in Great Meadows, NJ OR Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA. You can not pick up PRE-REGISTRATION packets at the parks.

NOTE: If you intend to register in the parks an additional "Park Fee" of $25 will be added to your registration total.

REGISTRATION BY MAIL IS NOW CLOSED

When you come onto the Walking Pilgrimage, the times and places for picking up your pre-registration packet is as follows:
Thursday-if picking up in Great Meadows, NJ 5:30am - 6:30am
Thursday-if picking up in Doylestown, PA 6:30am - 8:00am
Friday-MUST pick up in Doylestown, PA 6am - 6:45am
Saturday-MUST pick up in Doylestown, PA 6am - 7:30am
Sunday- MUST pick up in Doylestown, PA 6am - 7:30am

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2) General (in-person) Registration

NOTE: We strongly suggest NOT registering in the rest areas or parks. If you intend to register in these places an additional "Park Fee" of $25 will be added to your registration total.

Wed., Aug. 7
7pm to 8:00pm @ Great Meadows, NJ

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Thurs., Aug. 8
5:30am to 6:30am @ Great Meadows, NJ

6:30am to 8:00am @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last bus leaves 9:30am sharp

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Friday, Aug. 9
6am to 6:45am @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last van leaves 7:00am sharp

5pm to 7pm @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last van leaves 7:15pm sharp

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Saturday, Aug. 10
6am to 7:30am @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last bus leaves 8:15am sharp

5pm to 7pm @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last van leaves 7:15pm sharp

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Sunday, Aug. 11
6am to 7:30am @ Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Doylestown, PA outside the Visitors Center
          Last bus leaves 8:15am sharp

Questions please call 908-637-4269.

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3) Pre-Registration

Pre-Registration open until Sunday, August 4th

NOTE: We strongly suggest NOT registering in the rest areas or parks. If you intend to register in these places an additional "Park Fee" of $25 will be added to your registration total.

DISCOUNT FOR PRE-REGISTRATION. You may also Pre-Register at one of the following churches .  Please call the contact person and ask when they are offering registration for the Walking Pilgrimage. This is the same discount as Registering By Mail.

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Registration in NJ:
Ss. Peter & Paul Church (Mon-Fri, 9:30am-3pm)or( Registering By Mail, see #1 above)
360 US Hwy 46
Great Meadows, NJ 07838
tel: 908-637-4269
email: stpeterandpaul@comcast.net

Sacred Heart R.C. Church - MANVILLE
98 South 2nd Avenue
Manville, NJ 08835
Contact: Louise
tel: 908-707-8128
web: www.sacred-heart-church.org

St. Stanislaw Kostka R.C. Church - GARFIELD
184 Ray St
Garfield, NJ 07026
Contact: Carol
tel: 973-772-7922

St. John Pawel II/St. Stephen - PERTH AMBOY -    
490 State St.
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Contact: Beata
tel: 347-422-3103

St. Theresa Church - LINDEN  -   
131 E Edgar Rd.
Linden, NJ 07036
Contact: Beata
tel: 347-422-3103

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Registration in Connecticut:
St. Michael the Archangel R.C. Church - BRIDGEPORT-(registration, Sun. Aug 4, 12:30pm)
310 Pulaski St.
Bridgeport, CT 06608
Contact: Magda
tel: 203-257-9245

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Registration in NY:
St. Frances de Chantal R.C. Church - BROOKLYN *(registration Sun., Aug 4)

1273 58th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Contact: Peter
tel: 718-387-4484
web: www.francesdechantal.org

St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church - BROOKLYN *(registration Sun., Aug 4)
607 Humboldt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Contact: Peter
tel: 718-387-4484
web: www.ststanskostka.org

St. Matthias Church - RIDGEWOOD *(registration Sun., Aug 4)
58-15 Catalpa Ave
Ridgewood, NY 11385
Contact: Peter
tel: 718-387-4484
web: www.saintmatthiaschurch.net

* When you register in one of the three churches in New York, you can make a reservation for a bus which will drive you to the pilgrimage on Thursday or Saturday morning and again home on Sunday. The bus is an additional cost.
*** Everyone on the bus must be registered.***

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Please call Ss. Peter & Paul Parish in Great Meadows for any questions or additional information, 908-637-4269.