Histories III: American Chartres

We return  – for the last time, hopefully  – to the topic of traditionalist pilgrimages with some corrections and additions.  First, correcting my earlier post, after some additional discussion, I think there is no independent FSSP pilgrimage to Auriesville. The FSSP may be providing spiritual direction to the Pilgrimage for( the) Restoration,  but that pilgrimage has been for many years directed by the National Coalition of Clergy and Laity (NCCL). 

Second, I was already  aware that this pilgrimage had been moved to Pennsylvania in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID restrictions in New York State. In 2022 and 2023 it returned to Auriesville. There is an account online of the 2022 pilgrimage. It seems from this that the Pilgrimage for Restoration,  while not returning to the larger scale of the assemblies of 2005 or so,  nevertheless has recovered somewhat from a low point ten years ago. And their 2022 pilgrimage was accompanied by a sitting Bishop. Have the actions of Pope Francis, especially Traditionis Custodes,  shaken some people out of their torpor and revived interest in the TLM – as has happened elsewhere?

As for the pilgrimage of the FSSPX (the “Pilgrimage of Tradition”), it too has continued despite the disdainful attitude of the authorities at Auriesville. It now seems to be roughly comparable in size to the Pilgrimage of Restoration. The FSSPX even claims that its pilgrimage started in 1993 – meaning that it predates the Pilgrimage for Restoration. I will leave it to experts to debate that point.

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski has informed me, however,  that a newer,  much more significant claimant to the honor of being the “American Chartres Pilgrimage” has emerged not in New York, but in Oklahoma. Since 2020, a “Three Hearts” pilgrimage to Clear Creek Abbey has taken place. With the blessing of Cardinal Raymond Burke, it grew from a few dozen pilgrims in the first year (2020) to more than 1,500 in 2022 –  substantially larger than the older “competitors” in Auriesville. Now there is, of course, no tradition at Clear Creek of such a pilgrimage or devotion.  However, the monks of Clear Creek Abbey  – and Cardinal Burke –  obviously are more welcoming to traditionalist pilgrims then the authorities in Auriesville. The fourth edition of the pilgrimage will be this weekend.  This year Cardinal Burke will celebrate the concluding Mass. Information on the Three Hearts pilgrimage can be found here:

The Three Hearts Pilgrimage 

The Three Hearts Pilgrimage (Facebook)

There is undeniable vitality in the world of Traditionalist pilgrimages. In 2023 the pilgrims have continued to come. The desire to make a sacrifice for the Faith and to display it openly to the world, not just individually but in the company of many others, remains alive and well in the Traditionalist community. Up to now no pilgrimage having national recognition has emerged. Maybe that is attributable to the way we do things in America: spontaneous, independent (and uncoordinated) entrepreneurial activity. These efforts, however,  have over the years overcome obstacles such as lack of communication, great geographical distances, lack of  supportive national traditions such as still exist in Europe and,  in Auriesville, changing relationships with the local establishment in charge of the goal of the pilgrimage. I do expect this post to generate even more responses with suggestions, corrections  and clarifications. But is that not also a welcome sign of life?