Skip to content

Traditional Catholic pilgrimage · On foot to Aparecida

Before Brazil, Vera Cruz.

Vera Cruz means True Cross, and it was the name this land was given in 1500. The pilgrimage walks in column, behind the Cross, to the National Shrine of Aparecida.

10, 11 and 12 July 2027 · From Campos do Jordão to Aparecida

Pre-register Read the rule

Those who pre-register are told before the public announcement.

Cannot walk? You can be a Guardian Angel.

01 The walk

Through the Serra da Mantiqueira, along the Caminho da Fé.

From Campos do Jordão to the National Shrine of Aparecida, in three days. The route follows the yellow arrows of the Caminho da Fé, the pilgrim network that converges on Aparecida. The surface is almost all unpaved country road.

When
10, 11 and 12 July 2027, Saturday to Monday
Start
Campos do Jordão, São Paulo state
Arrival
National Shrine of Aparecida, São Paulo state
An altar set up in an open field for Holy Mass, the priest facing away from the congregation kneeling in dry grass. Holy Mass

Every day. Attendance is essential.

A camp at night, tents lit from within and a wooden cross planted in the field. Conferences

Two a day, in each chapter.

A wooden wayside cross on a whitewashed masonry base, a rosary hanging from one arm. Rosary

One a day, for its own intentions.

At the end of the day, there is fellowship at the camp.

Pilgrims crossing a field in single file, three banners raised.
Chartres, 2013
Pilgrims' boots and staffs on a red earth road, dust hanging in the hard midday light.
Midday
Araucaria and candeia trees on a high-altitude grassland, the valley disappearing into haze.
High ground
The whole column winding along the horizon over a green wheat field, with crosses outlined against the sky.
Chartres, 2018
The Paraíba Valley covered in mist.
Mist
A pilgrim carrying a processional cross at the head of the column on a flat road, the town far off in haze.
Arrival

Drag sideways. Generated scenes and real photographs of Chartres — credits in the footer.

02 The column

Each pilgrim walks in a chapter.

A single file of pilgrims climbing a dirt road on a pasture hillside, seen from far away.

A chapter is a group of pilgrims from the same region, parish or devotion, with a leader and a banner of its own.

The Vera Cruz chapters do not exist yet: they form in the cities that appear in this pre-registration — and none starts with one person.

03 Sister pilgrimages

Chartres, Covadonga, Luján: the same model.

In all three, the column walks in chapters and the Mass is the same.

A column of pilgrims seen from behind, with banners, flags and a chapter cross, crossing a green wheat field. On the horizon, the two spires of Chartres cathedral.
The column on its way to Chartres, 2023.

France · since 1983

Notre-Dame de Chrétienté

Paris → Chartres

nd-chretiente.com

The basilica of Covadonga, in rose-coloured stone with a red roof, between the green slopes and limestone cliffs of the Picos de Europa.
The basilica of Covadonga, where the walk ends.

Spain · since 2021

Nuestra Señora de la Cristiandad

Oviedo → Covadonga

nscristiandad.es

The façade of the basilica of Our Lady of Luján seen from below, its two Gothic clock towers against a blue sky.
The two towers of the basilica of Luján, where the Argentine walk ends.

Argentina · since 2010

Nuestra Señora de la Cristiandad

Rawson → Luján

nscristiandad.com

Affiliation We cite these pilgrimages only as a model. The written authorisation from each one has been requested and not yet granted.

04 Who is called

Good will and a minimum of vigour. You need not be an athlete.

The pilgrimage is recommended to all Catholics who love the Tridentine Mass and wish to keep the visible bond with the Church.

Minimum age
16, with an accompanying adult
Pre-register
05 The pilgrim's rule

Read before you fill in the form.

The organiser's seven rules in full, translated for understanding. The Portuguese text is the one that binds: if the two ever disagree, the Portuguese governs.

I · Purpose

The Vera Cruz pilgrimage intends to lead the faithful to an authentic living of the Catholic Faith through a deeper living of the Traditional Roman Liturgy, according to the liturgical books approved by St John XXIII and confirmed by His Holiness Pope Francis in 2022 for the FSSP and the institutes attached to the former Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.

II · Roman communion

Any and every form of support for groups or persons, lay or priestly, who stand apart from Roman communion — whether by the sin of schism or of heresy — is therefore forbidden. Disrespect towards Bishops and lawful pastors will not be tolerated.

III · No political demonstration

Any political, ideological or party demonstration is expressly forbidden. We are a body of pilgrims, whose purpose is spiritual goods.

IV · Dress

Out of respect for the dignity God himself gave us, men and women shall dress with decency, taking care not to be a cause of scandal to their brother. Even so, clothing that is light and comfortable for walking is recommended.

V · The Mass

The daily Holy Mass, according to the 1962 Roman Missal, is an integral part and the heart of our pilgrimage; attendance is therefore essential.

VI · Conferences and Rosary

Every chapter will have two conferences a day, given by priests, seminarians or a layman, such as the chapter leader; and furthermore they will pray a daily Rosary for their own intentions.

VII · The sacrifice

The pilgrimage is meant to be a moment of offering a small sacrifice to the Good God, but it is also an occasion for self-knowledge, for the concrete practice of charity, for making new friendships, and for a foretaste of the joys of heaven.

Read the rule in the original Portuguese

I have read the rule. Pre-register me
06 Guardian Angel chapter

Those who cannot go form the Guardian Angel.

It is the chapter of those who do not walk: it prays for the pilgrimage and helps to pay for those who cannot. It is formed by those who declare themselves here.

Enrol me as a Guardian Angel
A pilgrim's weathered hand gripping a wooden staff, a dark-beaded rosary wound round the wrist.
08 Pre-registration

Leave your name.

It costs nothing, reserves no place and does not oblige you to walk. It serves to tell you when registration opens and to learn in which cities there are people to form chapters.

When and where: 10, 11 and 12 July 2027, from Campos do Jordão to Aparecida. Cost and places: [to be defined]. Registration, once it opens, will be made through the travel agency that handles the organisation: [agency and link to be defined].

Start the number with your country code: +351 912 345 678.

How do you intend to take part?

We read each pre-registration, one by one.

If you have no fixed one, write none fixed.

Leave blank if there is none.

Are you a priest, deacon, seminarian or religious?

You may withdraw this authorisation at any time, free of charge and without giving a reason. Providing the data is voluntary. If you prefer not to, the only consequence is that we will not be able to tell you when registration opens. How we handle your data