Chartres 2025 -- Not Long Now!

 We are gearing up for the 43rd edition of the Pilgrimage to Chartres.  We hope to make this year's edition even bigger and better!  The theme "That He Reigns on Earth as He does in Heaven" encapsulates the idea of this Pilgrimage -- to establish here on Earth the Kingdom of Heaven where Christ reigns in our hearts, but also where we work towards the establishment of Christ's Kingdom in all our earthly nations.  He is King of All Nations.  Let us pay due homage by joining this wonderful pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady.  Registrations details will shortly be forthcoming.  In the meantime, a reminder of last year's wonderful Pilgrimage:  

Chartres 2024 Complet! (Full)!!

 For the second year in a row, the Pilgrimage to Chartres is completely full!  Pilgrimage logistics (campsites, coaches, security) have reached their capacity to cope!

Chartres 2024. Chartres Sonne!

 

We are delighted to invite you to the 42nd Chartres Pilgrimage. We hope you are able to join us for this unforgettable pilgrimage in honour of Our Blessed Mother. The theme of this year’s pilgrimage is “I want to see God”.

There will be a British group leaving Westminster Cathedral, London on a coach on Friday, 17 May 2024. Please aim to arrive for 6.45am to load bags on the coach. We plan to have a Mass of Departure in the Cathedral Crypt at 7am prior to departure at 8am pending permission (TBC). The coach returns back to London on 21st May 2024 around 8pm.

The cost of the pilgrimage is £325 (plus £75 for a single room supplement, subject to availability). Children under 12 are £162. This cost includes hotel accommodation in Paris (B&B) on Friday night and in Chartres on Tuesday night (DBB). Please note all under 18s need to be accompanied by a parent or a responsible older relative.

We are now accepting registrations via this link: Registration Form. This year we have added the option to pay online through the form via card (for a 2.1% fee). You may of course pay by bank transfer if you prefer. Details are in the payment section of the form. The deadline for the applications is 29th March 2024. Please apply quickly as we expect places to sell out fast!

If you wish to travel independently and join the group in Paris on Saturday morning to walk with our chapters, please use the link to register with us for £50. This includes the registration fee, booklet and receiver (to hear the meditations etc. during the pilgrimage). Unfortunately there is not enough space in our hotels to accommodate pilgrims joining us separately.

Please note that there will be no refunds possible within 3 weeks of the pilgrimage.

We will have 2 adult/youth chapters and a family chapter.  If you require additional information or have any questions, please contact us on email Chartres@duc-in-altum.co.uk

 

 

Chartres 2023! Open to Register!

 We are delighted to announce that registrations are now open for the 41st Pilgrimage to Chartres.  As in years past, a coach will leave London on 26 May 2023 to join the international throng on the road to Chartres!  The theme this year is "The Eucharist, Salvation of Souls".  Unfortunately, costs have risen during our Covid-enforced absence and therefore the cost this year will be £310.00 per adult and £155.00 for chidren (under 12) (double occupancy).  Still great value for a fantastic weekend and very good for the soul!  The deadline for applications is 7 April 2023 and this should be done online at Register for Chartres.  Please contact Chartres@duc-in-altum.co.uk for further information.  

Two Pilgrimages!

Pilgrims at the Cross of St. Augustine (photo: Richard Windsor)

Pilgrims in Chartres (photo: Raja Wolstenholme)

Pilgrims from England made their way to France and to Kent over the Pentecost weekend to take part in the annual Chartres Pilgrimage.  United in prayer and spirit, the two groups kept in contact throughout the weekend and both Pilgrimages ended with the singing of Chez Nous Soyez Reine practically simultaneously!  Oddly, the weather was better in England as storms battered the area around Paris.  The SSPX (going in the opposite direction) had to abandon their Pilgrimage as the weather was so bad.  The Pilgrims travelling to Chartres fared better with the weather only requiring the cancellation of the midday Mass on Pentecost Sunday (the Mass was moved to the campsite at Choisel prior to departure as far as the pilgrims were concerned).  By a happy co-incidence, this meant that the two High Masses for Pentecost (in France and in Kent) took place at roughly the same time -- 6 am English time!  The Pilgrimage in England was a little different to the previous year's version as the Convent at Minster was open allowing access to the Abbey grounds, and we stopped at St. Anne's Convent in Sturry where there is a shrine to an incorrupt Servant of God (Adele-Euphrasie Barbier).  The Sisters made us very welcome and were delighted when we sang the Regina Caeli!  All Night Adoration and veneration of the relic of St. Thomas Becket was planned in Canterbury on the Vigil of Pentecost ending with the High Mass at 6 am on Pentecost Sunday.  This allowed time for a quick breakfast before the group set off for the Church at Boughton under Blean, an interesting Church with an extensive graveyard where we stopped for lunch.  As we were a bit behind schedule, our dinner planned in a pub in Doddington was cancelled at short notice, but the proprietor of the George in Newnham came to the rescue with sandwiches, chips and samosas at short notice!  A happy crew therefore rolled into Palace Farm hostel where we stayed the night.  The last day of Pilgrimage started early with departure at 6 am with breaks at Bredgar and Thurnham before a good lunch at a pub in Boxley.  Thus fortified, we marched the remaining miles to Aylesford Priory just in time for the 3 pm scheduled High Mass celebrated by Father Tom Lynch assisted by Fr. Faustinus and Brother Peter of the Marian Friars of Gosport and Portsmouth.  

To Chartres; or not to Chartres?

 This has proved a difficult question!  While COVID restrictions continue to be eased, it is still the case that unvaccinated pilgrims would not be permitted to travel to France without a "compelling" reason.  We have therefore decided to repeat the very successful pilgrimage from Ramsgate to Aylesford Priory which was organised a little quietly last year.  So, please join us!

For further information, and to register your interest, please email Chartres@duc-in-altum.co.uk.  The Pilgrimage will start with Mass for the Vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, 4 June 2022 and end with Mass for Pentecost Monday in the afternoon of Monday, 6 June 2022.  

Christendom Rising!

Dear Pilgrims,

Christendom Rising is an initiative of EWTN to promote the Latin Mass, Catholic Tradition and Lanherne Convent in Cornwall where they celebrate the Traditional Carmelite Rite.  This particular issue is of great interest as it promotes the Pilgrimage to Chartres (using footage from the 2013 Pilgrimage).  It is wonderful to see Notre Dame de Paris in all its glory.  Christendom Rising is hosted by Sophie Oliver, a Chartres veteran.