Pilgrimage Saint-Michel 2025: Join 1000 walkers

“Come and do the bridge with the Archangel!” This is the invitation launched by the organizers of the first pilgrimage of national magnitude to Mont-Saint-Michel, from Saint-Malo. A three and a half day march, from May 8 to 11, 2025, to deepen the spirituality specific to Saint Michel, secondary boss of France, one of the two festivals (the “summer Saint-Michel”) is celebrated on May 8.

An initiative of laity …

This initiative, which should reproduce each year at the same time, was born from two lay people: Marguerite de Soos, who walked from Paris to Mont-Saint-Michel in 2023; And Brieuc Clerc, historian who has carried out the pilgrimage several times from Brittany and worked on the site of Notre-Dame de Paris. “We have shared an observation,” they explain: Mount attracts a lot of pilgrims on a day, but there is no big pilgrimage on foot which allows to arrive together in this great western sanctuary. »At least in the 21st century! Indeed, in the 19th century, the Fathers of Saint-Edme de Pontigny had revived the cult of Saint Michel and this pilgrimage. But the latter was interrupted at the beginning of the 20th century.

… Supported by the church

Around these two pilgrims was a team of volunteers, who answered the call relayed by the Hozana app. And Don Pierre Doat, rector of the Mont-Saint-Michel sanctuary and author of the book The novel of Angels (Salvator, 2024), has readily agreed to be the chaplain of this pilgrimage. “My role,” he specifies, “is to ensure the coherence of this approach in relation to Michaelic spirituality, supervising the spiritual content and the choice of stakeholders. I will then accompany walking, and more particularly the chapters that have no chaplain. »»

An event also encouraged by Monsignor Grégoire Cador, bishop of the diocese of Coutances and Avranches, in these terms: “Your approach participates in the renewal of a millennial pilgrimage under the banner of the Archangel Saint Michel, he whose victorious fight fell the hope of believers. This initiative is very timely appointed in this jubilee year 2025 placed by our beloved Pope Francis under the sign of “Hope which does not disappoint”. It will be for you an opportunity to receive the plenary indulgence in this French high place of spirituality and to join the immense procession of all those who, at all times and everywhere, have come to seek forces for spiritual combat here. »»

A varied program

“The steps will be quite short, explains Brieuc Clerc: approximately 20 kilometers, to perform 70 kilometers in three and a half days. Pilgrims will thus be able to follow the various activities that will be offered to them, including daily mass, a teaching in the morning and testimonies in the evening. Among the announced witnesses: Maud and Alex Lauriot Prévost (Communion Priscille and Aquila), Dom Jean Pateau (abbot of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault), Dom Philippe Dupont (Abbé Eméricée de Solesmes), Laurent Gay (author of the book Pulled out of hellÉditions des Béatitudes) and Charlotte Seince (author of the book The price of jubilationArtège, 2023). “As for the general theme of the pilgrimage,” adds Don Pierre Doat, we have chosen the spiritual fight, which reflects the action of the Archangel! »»

At the end of this spiritual and fraternal journey, the pilgrimage will end with a torchlight procession, from the priory of Ardevon to the abbey church of Mount. There, after an office sung by the monastic fraternities of Jerusalem, the Miquelots will receive a brand (or “lead”) forged for the occasion by a craftsman representing the pilgrimage logo: the Archangel which brandishes a cross -shaped sword. The next day, Monsignor Grégoire Cador will chair the closing mass.

Objective: 1000 pilgrims!

“Become Mielots!” Saint Michel only asks to receive us all under his wings, ”invite the organizers. To date, 35 young people are working hard to finalize the preparations. “I admire the enthusiasm that this initiative aroused in these volunteers of all the dioceses and all the spiritual sensitivities,” adds Don Pierre Doat. The archangel is really unifying! »»

Bivouac places can accommodate 1000 pilgrims. “You’re just missing!” Come and rediscover Saint Michel and the way he can help us in our daily life! “Comments Mathilde Deneck, one of the volunteers. And to encourage inscriptions, Don Pierre Doat adds: “If we ask ourselves the question:” For what reason I would not come? “, Most of the answers will concern the comfort of a vacation bridge, or the fear of not knowing anyone. You can find 1000 reasons to go walk towards Mount, but in general not a valid reason not to go! »»