The Church teaches us that “In the communion of saints, none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself" (Rm 14, 7). "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Co 12, 26-27). In this solidarity with all men, living or dead, which is founded on the communion of saints, the least of our acts done in charity redounds to the profit of all (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n°953).
Moreover, moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n° 2010).
A video Michael Matt did on this pilgrimage two years ago:
Thus, in the communion of saints the prayers and sacrifices done by the “Guardian Angels”, wherever they are, united to God in charity, will merit new graces for the pilgrims, while on the other hand the prayers and sacrifices done by the walkers will merit graces for the “Guardian Angels”.
That reciprocity makes the “Guardian Angels” real pilgrims of the Chartres pilgrimage. It can be compared with the “cooperators” of Holy Mother Teresa who adopt a nun and offer for her all their suffering and prayers; the nun involves completely the cooperator in all her acts: they become closely united and may call each other “my second I”.
Who can take part in the pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
The Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels” is meant for people who can’t be physically present during the three Pentecost days, for any number of extenuating circumstances, such as the religious, the parents of young children, the invalids, the persons too old to walk the 100 km of the pilgrimage, the prisoners, the expats, the sailors and soldiers on a mission… In short, all people held up out of duty or because of their physical condition.
By creating this huge chain of prayer, we want to involve as many people as possible and enable everyone to be part of the Chartres pilgrimage.
Why be part of the pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
In these times where the Christian values are directly threatened, it’s urgent to spread and intensify the movement of prayers and penitence constituted by the Chartres pilgrimage. None must be prevented from being part of this movement. The prayer of the “Guardian Angels”, united to the walkers, will rise to God to implore his mercy, intercede for the Church and our society and convert souls, so that the graces of the pilgrimage reach as many as possible.
What is the spirit of the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
Just like for the walkers, the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels” is based on the three pillars: Tradition, Christendom and Mission.
“We are dwarves on the shoulders of giants”, Bernard de Chartres said in the 12th century: thus based on the doctrinal, liturgical and sacramental Tradition of the Church – with the Tridentine rite which we are attached to – we can ourselves add our stone to the edification of the 21st century.
That is possible above all with the restoration of Christendom. This is no outdated idea to relive a time gone by: Christendom is seen as the realization of “the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n° 2105). The philosopher Gustave Thibon saw it as “a civilization where the temporal is constantly irrigated by the eternal”.
How can I go on the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
The “Guardian Angels” of the Chartres pilgrimage make simple and clear commitments adapted to their situation: daily recitation of the pilgrimage’s prayer, and depending on one’s possibilities: rosary, mass, confession, charity work or acts of penance. The “Guardian Angels” can also gather locally to pray together.
A last word?
In the present circumstances it is urgent to pray. Praying is within everyone’s reach, whatever one’s situation may be. Therefore, we encourage you to recruit “Guardian Angels” in your entourage: if one isn’t able to walk, one is always able to pray!
So join us! Join the now worldwide United States Chapter of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Let us pray for our country, our Church, our pope, our priests, our children, our deceased the grace of final perseverance.
Pray that we all will keep the old Catholic Faith…not matter what.
Prayer of the Pentecost Pilgrimage
Our Lady, you who walked to the sanctuary of Bethlehem and fled to Egypt from the cruelty of Herod, we ask you to watch over your pilgrims to Chartres.
Like them, you have known the fatigue and the hardships of the road and persevered for your Divine Son.
Give us, O Mary, the ardour of your faith, the firmness of your hope and the fervour of your charity. Between your two cathedrals where we walk today, in body or in spirit, the love of your Son lights our path and illuminates our soul.
Bring to God our prayers, offer Him our sufferings and present to Him our pains.
So that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage, we may enter the house of the Father, to sing with all the angels and saints the eternal Sanctus!
Amen.
Look for more here on our site each day of the pilgrimage over the weekend. We will have a schedule for you to follow, so that you can say with us each and every step of the way. And don't forget to leave short comments, greetings or prayer intentions which we'll try to read to the US Chapter during the pilgrimage in order to keep walking and non-walking pilgrims united in pilgrimage.
Notre Dame de Chartres, Prier pour nous.