In addition to the regularly scheduled 12:10 Low Mass, there will be a Solemn Mass at 10 am for the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary on Tuesday, Oct 7 at St. Mary Church, Norwalk

(Above) Arrival of the Pilgrims at the Shrine.

The Pilgrimage for the Restoration on its 30^th Anniversary

Yesterday we had the joy to be  present at the 30th “Pilgrimage for the Restoration” at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, New York. It was a perfect day for this event. The contingents of pilgrims made their way to the shrine carrying their banners and often pushing their strollers; their order, discipline and demeanor were impressive. As far as I could see, the organization of the event seemed very thorough and competent. 

Over the years the details of this pilgrimage – the overall itinerary, the day of arrival and the program of the final day  – have frequently varied. This year, on reaching Auriesville on Sunday, the pilgrims first descended into the ravine  –  the most secluded and sacred spot of the shrine grounds. For this is where St. Isaac Jogues buried the bones of his martyred companion St. Rene Goupil. Next, they processed to the Coliseum, where a  Solemn Mass was celebrated,  accompanied by splendid music and in the presence of a bishop. Finally, after the conclusion of the Mass, relics of the saints revered in Auriesville were reverenced. 

If  numbers alone were the only criterion of success, this year’s  Pilgrimage for the Restoration was an outstanding achievement. One of the leaders estimated there were 700 to 800 pilgrims present; more may have joined for the concluding Mass. It is a dramatic improvement in participation compared to the situation around 2013. 

Now the Pilgrimage for the Restoration began in grandly successful style in the1990s. Numerous organizations participated, and a large congregation attended the concluding Mass in the Coliseum. Among other reasons for this impressive achievement was the uniqueness of this liturgy at that time in North America:  it was one of the few occasions at which a traditionalist could experience a Solemn (or Solemn High ) Mass. 

Already by 2008, however, attendance at the pilgrimage was decreasing. Was it the increasing availibility of more convenient traditional Masses? Or perhaps some foolishly thought “restoration” of the traditional liturgy had been achieved and no further work was needed? By 2013 the pilgrimage had dwindled to an affair of some 100-200 pilgrims. Then, the Jesuits in charge of the shrine started to exclude the pilgrims from the Coliseum. When, in 2015,  the Jesuits abandoned most of the Auriesville site it even seemed as if the shrine might permanently close. 

Perhaps recovery started precisely with the exit of the Society of Jesus from the shrine in 2015. For the new owners refurbished run-down grounds and buildings and were more welcoming to the Traditional Mass. The persecution of the traditionalists by Pope Francis starting in 2021 undoubtedly helped to reenergize the commitment of traditionalists to this pilgrimage.  Finally,  the emergence of competition in North America, notably the Three Hearts pilgrimage in Oklahoma,  may have also incentivized participants in this part of the country.

Let us recall that the Chartres pilgrimage,  the original model and inspiration for the Pilgrimage for the Restoration, also descended for a time into routine – perhaps even stagnation. But in the last several years the Pilgrimage of Christendom in France has enjoyed record attendance, in good weather and in bad. So much so that its success has become a major concern for the Vatican and the French hierarchy. But these impressive results could only have been achieved thanks to the persistence of the pilgrims through the leaner years.  The same is true in Upstate New York:  the persistence of the traditionalist pilgrims to Auriesville year after year – and the organizers – preserved the pilgrimage and laid the foundation for this year’s success.

(Above and below) The arrival of the pilgrims.

(Above) Prayer in the Ravine.

(Above and below) Processing from thr Ravine to the Coliseum.

The start of the Mass.

(Above) The choir was excellent.

Joining in the fight to save Most Holy Redeemer Church is Village Preservation. In addition to filing request for evaluation to the NYC Landmarks Commission to designate the church property a NYC landmark, this organization will be presenting a virtual talk on Monday Oct. 20 at 6:30 pm..

Dena Tasse-Winter of Village Preservation will discuss Most Holy Redeemer’s architecture, history and current preservation challenges. Additionally, Dr. Richard Haberstroh will present on the Lower East Side’s Kleindeutschland neighborhood.

Pre-registration is required. Go to this link for more information and to register: https://prod.cdn.everyaction.com/emails/van/EA/EA017/1/112771/G2go_xXbE0ufrAUe-9Mhsau_c3N2Qpk-QNy9Z1UzJbD_archive?nvep=&hmac=&emci=39bed982-4d8f-f011-b484-6045bdeb7413&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=

The Arlington Latin Mass Society is once again holding the National Latin Mass Pilgrimage between Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC, on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Pilgrims can register and find all the details at https://TLMpilgrimage.com.

This Saturday, parishioners and concerned Catholics will gather for a special vigil at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave 50th-51st Streets) between 8:30am and 11am on the morning of the German-American Steuben parade, to highlight the closure of Most Holy Redeemer Church on 173 East 3rd St. If you only have an hour to spare, please aim for 9:15-9:30 (see details here). A strong, visible turnout would send a strong message. Please try to make it! 

See our reports on Most Holy Redeemer Church, a spectacular and historically important German-American church in the East Village: https://sthughofcluny.org/2011/03/the-churches-of-new-york-ix-vierzehnheiligen-on-the-east-river.html and also: https://sthughofcluny.org/2025/07/most-holy-redeemer-church-in-the-crosshairs.html

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has been spearheading efforts to save the endangered church. The following information comes from this society:

Landmarking Campaign

This effort has received a tremendous amount of attention and support. Over 1,500 people have signed the petition asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission to declare the building a landmark. Letters endorsing a designation of the structure have been sent by Councilmember Carlina Rivera, Bowery Alliance, the Tenement Museum, historian Richard Panchyk, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and the Preservation League of New York State. Now, it is up to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to evaluate the merits of the church for a landmark designation. Please continue helping to spread the word about the petition!

Church Services

Most Holy Redeemer has closed its doors to the public and stopped providing regular services as of September 1st. Parishioners have been making a tremendous organizing effort to have their church resume services. Last week, a group of them delivered a letter to His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, requesting that the church be reopened and that Mass be celebrated at least twice a month—to which parishioners have a right under canon law. They have also been leading weekly vigils in front of the church every Friday at 7:00pm, which everyone is welcome to join (see details here).  

This Saturday, parishioners will gather for a special vigil at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (5th Ave 50th-51st Streets) between 8:30am and 11am on the morning of the German-American Steuben parade, to highlight the closure of this spectacular church. If you only have an hour to spare, please aim for 9:15-9:30 (see details here). A strong, visible turnout would send a strong message. Please try to make it! 

Program on the History of Most Holy Redeemer

On Oct 20th at 3:00, Village Preservation, EVCC, LESPI, and the Goethe Institute will host a program on the history and future of the Most Holy Redeemer. The discussion will review the cultural and architectural merits of the suite of buildings between East 3rd & 4th Sts. Save the date. 

Solemn First Vespers for the feast of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Confessor was sung this evening by the Viri Galilaei to celebrate their 10th anniversary. St.Nicholas was an Augustinian – like Pope Leo XIV – and was devoted to prayer for the souls in Purgatory. The service took place at the church of St. Cecilia, Stamford CT.

The Viri Galilaei were founded in 2015. They are devoted to the traditional music of the Catholic Church, especially plainchant. Their founder, David Hughes, took part in the performance of these Vespers. (David Indyk is the present leader of the group) Fr. Richard Cipolla, described as the “founding pastor” of the Viri Galilaei, preached on the importance of the traditional musical heritage of the Church.

Today, Regina Pacis Academy celebrated the opening of the school year with solemn Mass at St. Mary Church in Norwalk in honor of the Nativity of Our Lady.

St. Mary’s Youth Schola registration is open for Fall 2025

First meeting: Thursday, September 18, 2025. (4:00–5:30 p.m.)

A program of musical and faith formation based on Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony

Weekly classes on Thursday afternoons, plus singing opportunities at parish Masses (2–3 per semester)

Open to ages 8–18

Fee: $125/semester  (multiple-child discounts available)

Faculty: Charles Weaver, Nicholas Botkins, Elizabeth Weaver

Find out more and register at: 

stmarynorwalk.net/youth-schola-program

We are pleased to promote these three major multiple-day Traditional Mass pilgrimages in North America. For those with the time and energy, there’s the possibility of attending all three.

August: Quebec

August 30-September 1

The 22nd annual Marie Reine du Canada pilgrimage from Lanoraie, Quebec to the miraculous shrine of Notre Dame du Cap will take place on August 30 – September 1 this year, a 100 km (62 mile) walk along the St. Lawrence River in the footsteps of the North American Martyrs. Pilgrims from Ontario, Quebec and the United States are served en route by priests of the Fraternity of Saint Peter, as well as diocesan priests; Mass is celebrated daily in the traditional Roman Rite.

Marie Reine du Canada is a lay-led organization of the FSSP’s apostolate in Ottawa, St. Clement Parish. For registration forms, see: https://www.mariereine.ca/participate. Inquiries can be directed to mariereineducanada@gmail.com.

In September: New York State

September 26-28

The pilgrimage, now in its 30th year, is a journey of the faithful to Our Lady’s Shrine of the Martyrs in upstate New York, at Auriesville. Here, Jesuit Father Isaac Jogues and Companions were martyred, beginning with lay-brother René Goupîl and several Native American Converts in 1642, and later layman John de LaLande and Jogues himself in 1646.

Since 1996, pilgrims walk near and along the paths the saints followed as captives of the Iroquois. Their journey was hundreds of miles over 28 days under torture. Our journey, modeled on the ancient annual Pentecost Pilgrimage to Notre-Dame de Chartres, France, is 62 miles over 3 days and, though penitential, is full of joy. The purpose is to honor Christ Our King publicly, to pray for the restoration of His Reign in the family and civil society, and to make reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

n.b. There is also an opportunity of you or your loved ones to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the traditional rite at this pilgrimage. Click here for more details

October: Oklahoma: Clear Creek Abbey

October 9-11

Each October the Three Hearts Pilgrimage guides thousands of participants through a rigorous terrain to the Benedictine monastery at Clear Creek Abbey, located in Northeast Oklahoma.

Last year approximately 3000 pilgrims from 42 states and 11 countries came to pray and sacrifice together in defense of the sanctity of life and in support of the traditional family unit, while pursuing what is Good, True, and Beautiful.

For more information and to register: link

And Finally: Washington, DC in October

Saturday October 11

This is a one-day pilgrimage to pray for the restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass to its former liberty, a procession between the Catholic cathedrals of Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC.

Full details at https://tlmpilgrimage.com