It’s not every day we get to be a part of history. Yet this month, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have the opportunity to be part of the longest Marian pilgrimage ever attempted in the U.S., and everyone is invited to take part in this historical event.

In celebration of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s bicentennial, the Center for the New Evangelization is hosting a 33-day pilgrimage beginning on May 16. The pilgrimage will cover more than 300 miles, stretching from Russells Point to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Downtown Cincinnati. Throughout the pilgrimage, statue guardians will carry an Our Lady of Fatima statue to 36 designated parishes on the route. Each night, a different parish will host an event for the community to celebrate Mary’s visit, including Mass, adoration, Holy Hour and the Rosary.

Community members are encouraged to join the pilgrimage when Our Lady is in your area. Receive daily live updates via the archdiocesan social media channels. Follow the map of the pilgrims’ progress on the Marian Pilgrimage website (www.Mary2021.org).

If you’re unable to join physically, join us spiritually. Spiritual pilgrims are welcome to take part in the same prayer journey as the statue guardians. Register online for a daily e-mail providing Marian prayers for the 33 days of the pilgrimage. Each parish has free copies of the Marian consecration booklet, 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-it-yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration by Michael Gaitley, MIC. Praying with and for our pilgrims during the 33 days is one of the greatest contributions you can make to the pilgrimage.

It will take hundreds of volunteers to make this monumental event a success. There are opportunities to feed pilgrims during the journey, host pilgrims overnight and volunteer at the pilgrimage events taking place throughout the archdiocese.

LEARN MORE: Mary2021.org
Find out all the details of the pilgrimage, including:
• An interactive map with details on each
of the 36 overnight church stops
• Volunteer sign-up
• How to become a Statue Guardian
• How to become a Spiritual Pilgrim
• Additional information about each event

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow us on our Marian Pilgrimage Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ marianpilgrimage2021

Cornerstone Events
In addition to the events hosted at the parishes each night, there are four main events that will take place during the 33 days.

MAY 16: OPENING MASS AND PILGRIMAGE KICK OFF
The first event is the Pilgrimage Kick-Off at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, in Russells Point on May 16. There will be an outdoor opening Mass at 1:30 p.m. at the Shrine. From there, pilgrims will process to St. Mary of the Woods Church, two miles from the shrine.

MAY 21: MARIA STEIN MASS AND CONCERT
The next event is the Maria Stein Mass and Concert on May 21. Mass will begin at 6 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein. After Mass, we will process to the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, where exposition will take place. Beginning at 7 p.m., there will be food trucks and lawn games for the whole family. A concert featuring Sarah Kroger, a Nashville-based Catholic worship leader and songwriter, will be held on the lawn stage from 8 – 9:30 p.m.

MAY 29: MASS WITH THE ARCHBISHOP AND CONCERT
Mass with the Archbishop and a concert will take place on May 29 in Roger Glass Stadium at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton. Outdoor Mass begins at 4:30 p.m. Gates open at 3:45 p.m. Following Mass, food trucks will be available. The family-friendly concert, featuring popular contemporary Christian band WAL, begins at 6:30 p.m. Attendance is limited. Reserve your spot online.

JUNE 19: RE-CONSECRATION AND FOUNTAIN SQUARE CONCERT
The final day of the pilgrimage is June 19, the official bicentennial anniversary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. To mark this historical event, the Archbishop will lead the archdiocese in a prayer of reconsecration to Jesus through Mary. This special prayer will occur during the Bicentennial Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains at 10:30 a.m. This Mass is not open to the public, but the consecration will be live streamed at Fountain Square in Cincinnati. Beginning at noon, a multi- cultural bicentennial celebration will begin at Fountain Square with music and dance from Catholic communities throughout the archdiocese. At 2 p.m. the Christian collaborative group, Village Lights, will perform. The group includes Sarah Kroger, Ike Ndolo and Ricky Vazquez. Food trucks will also be available throughout the afternoon.

PDF of Map: Marian Pilgrimage Map