How to organise a successful pilgrimage!

Twelve easy steps....

1. Start the planning process at least 12 months in advance

         

         2. Gather a group of like minded people about you (not a 

             committee)

          3. Clear the ground and observe all the protocols with your

             Bishop and the Parish Priest responsible for the pilgrimage 

             site

         4. Produce a computerised database of all target parishes (ie all

             in your Diocese), specialist groups such as Legion of Mary,

             Catholic Mothers, SVP., Knights of St Columba (us) and then

             mail or email them with details PLUS an invitation to attend.

         5. Print off posters and leaflets inviting groups and individuals to

             attend - stress that they do not have to be members of your

             group to join the pilgrimage. Then send them out every two

             months to your database. Arrange a choir and altar servers

             for the day. Arrange for a full colour A4 insert sheet in

             whatever periodicals are at your disposal.

         6. Create a blog called "The XYZ 2012 Pilgrimage" and keep it

             constantly updated with information including local

             accommodation, bus/rail links, Catholic history of the

             region etc.

        7. Ask the Bishop for support (financially, spiritually and

            physically in galvanising lay groups who may respond more 

            readily to the Bishop than to your group).

       8. Personally contact a number of priests (the more the merrier)

           and invite them to be part of the choir on the sanctuary. Ask a

           prominent priest to give sermon or address on the day.

       9. Issue a regular series of press releases to the Catholic press

           and to local, regional and, even, on occasions, national media.

       10. Contact all religious orders in your Diocese or region and   

             invite them to send groups to be part of the Blessed

             Sacrament  Procession of Honour. Do the same with   

             Catholic troops of Guides, Scouts etc but invite them to form 

             the Guard of Honour.

       11. Arrange the programme so that not only is there a logical

             sequence but also a number of 'highlights' to the day eg 

             'Crowning of Our Lord/Our Lady' as appropriate, Procession,

             Rosary etc.

             Also, most importantly, allow for those who normally fast for 3

             hours before Holy Communion, to be accommodated in the

             schedule.

       12. Organise a series of local events such as parish walks to the

             pilgrimage point, Rosary processions through the town/village,

             local prominent Catholics  to participate,  refreshments

             and....above all else....ask your Bishop to open the pilgrimage

             with his actual blessing on the day.

                                  Enjoy a successful Pilgrimage!

NB - the above list is not exhaustive