Published on 27 March 2025
The Saint Joseph Walk is an annual Catholic pilgrimage that brings together men and women from all over the world.
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Fathers, spouses, singles, priests - for a day of prayer, walking and spiritual reflection. In 2025, several editions took place in France and Belgium, each with its own specific features.
In Paris, the 15ᵉ edition of the Saint Joseph March brought together nearly 2,000 men. The day began with mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, followed by a chapter walk to the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. This year's theme, "Pilgrims of Hope", was part of the Jubilee Year and the 350ᵉ anniversary of the apparitions at Paray-le-Monial. Spiritual workshops were held in various Parisian churches, covering topics such as the Sacred Heart, the sacrament of reconciliation and the sanctity of children. The day ended with a rosary, vespers, adoration and confessions at the Sacré-Coeur.
The spiritual plan of the March of Saint Joseph
Focusing on inner conversion, prayer and the encounter with God through the figure of Saint Joseph
Spiritual theme: "Pilgrims of Hope":
This theme echoes the forthcoming Jubilee Year (2025) and the 350ᵉ anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial. He invites everyone to :
Getting back to the essentials of the Christian faith.
Rediscovering hope in an often troubled world.
Relying on Saint Joseph as a model of a just, silent and faithful man.
Morning Mass
Celebrated in a symbolic place (often a cathedral), it brings all the pilgrims together around the altar to entrust their journey to God.
Chapter walk
The men are divided into small groups (often by parish or affinity) called chapters. Each chapter meditates together with spiritual textsand prayersand sometimes a way of the cross.
Lessons learned and personal accounts
During the walk or at stopovers in churches, priests, deacons or committed lay people will give talks on teachings on faith, fatherhood, the spiritual life or the sacraments.
Confessions
A highlight of the pilgrimage. Several priests are available to listen, confess and offer the sacrament of reconciliation, often in beautiful, peaceful settings.
Adoration & rosary
At the end of the day, Eucharistic adoration provides a time of intimacy with Christ, often accompanied by a meditative rosary and hymns.
Vespers and final blessing
A solemn liturgy concludes the day, often at the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre.
