It’s normal to be nervous and excited at the same time but we’re here to help guide you through this. Your chapter leader, Jason, will reach out to every pilgrim and answer your questions. If we have mentors available, that mentor will also reach out to you. Bottom-line, we want you to feel comfortable about the journey!

I’ve been before (Veteran)!

Remember your first time attending? It can be challenging and overwhelming for new people. Will you “adopt” a rookie? Contact us! We’re looking for seasoned mentors to share and help guide new pilgrims. Your chapter leader, Jason, will reach out to you; most likely for some advice so if you’ve got something to share that should be here on this website, use the contact button or find us after High Mass!

Walking Preparation

It’s hard to prepare for a 35-mile pilgrimage. It helps if you are walking daily but some people practice very little or not at all and endure the walk. The best way to build your endurance for the 35-mile intense walk/march is to go on 3-4 mile walks at a 3.5 mph pace. There are groups who meet to practice. Once you join our chapter, we will add you to the Signal group so you can join practice walks. The pilgrimage contains roughly 5 walks the first day of about 5-7 miles each and 2-3 walks on the second day.

Start slow and time yourself to see how far you can walk in an hour. Then make it your goal to walk 3-4 miles in an hour and work up to doing this 3 days out of the week. This will help you tremendously! Your next goal is to complete 8 miles in 2 – 2.5 hours. There is little need to walk more than 8 miles in one shot. If you want to walk more, take a break and go on another 3-4 mile walk later in the day.

This is a 35-mile pilgrimage in Hulburt, Oklahoma. This is not a religious-themed vacation and should be used for your Atonement, Adoration, Petition, and Thanksgiving. It is not an easy walk but many people of all ages have been able to complete the walk. There should be no anxiety or worry about completing it. If at any point you need to stop, there are shuttles available for those who cannot make it any farther.

If you are considering bringing children, many are very successful at walking with the group but for younger children who need strollers, the path can be difficult for strollers. Even the off-road style and running strollers break, wheels go flat, etc. Wagons for children can also be difficult to pull/push on this path with the speed and terrain. There are three hills that are particularly challenging with dirt/dust, rock, erosion, and steep grades.

Click the link below for Chapter-led walks.

Join us!

Recommendations from past attendees!

We recommend you visit the FAQ’s and the Pilgrim’s Guide first but don’t forget these things as well.

• Bring a tent! Even though it’s in Oklahoma, it can still be chilly in the fall. Open camping might not be wise and it might rain on you.
• Wear spandex! Especially the men!
• Bring chafing cream.
• Head lamps!
• Walking shoes! Per our OLMC pilgrim nurse, those who wore boots had a more difficult time, more injuries and blisters.
• Electrolyte tablets – trust us…you NEED these.
• Fueling – Whether it’s energy gummies/bars or dates, you need to fuel every 30 min on this walk.