ANNUAL Good Friday Pilgrimage

Friday, March 29, 2024

The Good Friday Pilgrimage has become our annual gift to the faithful of Austin and beyond. What started 10+ years ago with a small energetic group of students from UT Austin has grown to be an Austin tradition for many. Good Friday is the day Christians all over the world spiritually join Jesus Christ in His Passion and Death for the forgiveness of sins. In Austin, TX we remember Jesus’ walk to Mount Calvary with a 9-mile pilgrimage through the streets of Austin.

In 2022, approximately  800 pilgrims made the pilgrimage - from the heart of our city and diocese, St. Mary’s Cathedral, to the heart of our Blessed Mother, The Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt in West Austin.  Pilgrims gathered at 12:30 pm at the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, for a send-off blessing from Bishop Joe Vásquez and departed for the Marian Shrine at 1:00 pm.

Fr. Cristobal Asenjo, emphasizes, “The Good Friday Pilgrimage has become a beautiful tradition for our city, where families and individuals can come together from all over to “live” Good Friday.  Taking part in this gives us the opportunity to help Jesus carry the Cross and to be aware of the profound significance this act of love means for us.  We offer our Pilgrimage for those who need our prayers, renewing all hearts, and to experience the Lord's resurrection also as our own resurrection.”

The group passes through the streets of downtown Austin and features stops along the way for re-enactments of the Way of the Cross by various university students in character, the rosary, and a moment of silence at 3 pm followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Several Schoenstatt Fathers will be available to hear confessions while walking with the group.  The pilgrimage concludes at the Shrine with the traditional Good Friday Liturgy at 7:00 pm. All are invited to attend.

2024 Good Friday Pilgrimage Route

Join us at any point along the route if you are not able to make the full pilgrimage. Ttansportation will take walkers to the Shrine, we do not offer rides back to the Cathedral, please make your own arrangments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Good Friday Pilgrimage? A 9 mile walk in solemn remembrance of our Lord's sacrifice for us. The pilgrimage will begin downtown at St. Mary's Cathedral (203 E 10th St, Austin, TX 78701) to the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Schoenstatt (225 Addie Roy Rd, Austin, TX 78746). People begin to gather at 12:30pm to prepare for the send off blessing. The pilgrimage will depart from St. Mary's at 1:00pm. Good Friday Liturgy concludes the pilgrimage at 7:00pm at the Shrine.

How long will it take? It takes approximately 5 - 6 hours to walk the complete pilgrimage. We will stop to pray and meditate on the stations of the cross as well as stop for water, snacks and rest. You may join at any point and do a portion of the pilgrimage if you prefer. Our finalized route map will be available at schoenstatt-austin.us.

Should I do something to prepare? Yes, it would be good to both physically and spiritually prepare for the pilgrimage. We recommend you start walking outdoors and have a comfortable pair of walking shoes broken in and ready for the pilgrimage. To spiritually prepare, begin to meditate and pray on your intentions for the walk. Will you offer each mile for a special intention, or the entire day? Pick up an intention sheet and begin to write down your petitions and prayers, carry it with you on the pilgrimage. We will have places along the pilgrimage to deposit your petitions as well as a place at the Shrine.

Where do I park? You may park at the Shrine and Uber/Lift to St. Mary's or in public parking downtown. Please make your own arrangements to get back to your car after the pilgrimage. We DO NOT provide transportation to and from the start and end.

Will there be restrooms? In the past pilgrims would stop in stores, gas stations, along the route as needed. Many people will use the restrooms at Zilker Park. Our stop at the Parkhills Baptist Church will have restroom trailers available for use. This is our only official stop with a restroom break.

What do I need to bring? An open and prayerful heart. Sunscreen, hat, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. Please DO NOT bring animals on the pilgrimage. Snacks and water will be provided at rest stops.

What if I can't make it the entire way? Transportation will be available at the stops to take pilgrims to the Shrine who are no longer able to continue. If you need to stop between rest stops contact someone on our FIRST AID TEAM.

I can't make the pilgrimage, how can I help?

Pray for us - Join us in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent for the pilgrimage. We pray that all may have a deeper walk with Christ and joyfully carry the splinter of the cross the Fathers sends us.

Donations are Needed - We are requesting donations of individual water bottles, individual sport drink bottles (Gatorade, Powerade), box of individually packed snacks (store bought nuts, trail mix, granola bars, nut bars), whole fruit (oranges, tangerines, bananas). Please only donate the items listed. Donations may be dropped off at the Movement House at 225 Addie Roy Rd.

Make a Financial Donation - The pilgrimage is a large undertaking. Your financial donations are needed to help cover the cost. For the safety of all, we pay for a police escort for the entire pilgrimage.

Connect and watch us on social media and share! - We will be transmitting portions of the pilgrimage on Facebook and Instagram.

Questions? Email us at info@schoenstatt.us or visit our website at schoenstatt-austin.us/GFP