8th Annual Pilgrimage

May 6-7, 2023

Joseph Challenge Details

New for 2023 - Phase Zero

In 2023, intrepid pilgrims can start with "Phase Zero" earlier on Saturday morning and add about 9 extra miles to the route. Please indicate on your registration if interested.

Saturday (Day 1)

Phase One

Pilgrims depart from St. Joseph Catholic Church (Manchester) headed for the Carmelite Monastery. Lunch break along the way at Longview Farm Park.

Distance: Approximately 12 miles

Phase Two

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered upon arrival at Carmel of St. Joseph. Following Mass, the pilgrimage will head towards St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton.

Distance: Approximately 2.5 miles

Phase Three

Dinner will be served upon arrival at St. Joseph in Clayton. Afterwards, we will spend time in a Holy Hour with the Blessed Sacrament. Confessions will be heard. After Holy Hour, we will have time for socializing.

Total distance on Saturday: Approximately 14.5 miles

Sunday (Day 2)

Phase Four

Phase Four begins Sunday morning with morning prayer. After breakfast, we will depart for the Shrine of St. Joseph, arriving for a tour, personal prayer time and Holy Mass. The route will include a stop at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and, if time allows, a stop at the statue of King Louis IX (the Apotheosis of St. Louis) in Forest Park, as well as in front of Planned Parenthood on Forest Park Blvd.

Distance: Approximately 9.5 miles

Itinerary

Saturday (Day 1)

9:00am - Drop-off at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Manchester)
9:30am - Pilgrimage begins
12:00pm - Lunch at Longview Farm Park
3:00pm - Arrive at Carmel of St. Joseph Monastery
3:30pm - Mass
5:00pm - Depart Carmel of St. Joseph
6:15pm - Arrive at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Clayton); dinner
7:30pm - Holy Hour (adoration, confessions, benediction)
8:30pm - Fellowship
11:00pm Lights out

Sunday (Day 2)

7:30am - Depart St. Joseph Catholic Church (Clayton)
9:30am - Arrival at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
10:00am - Depart the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
12:30pm - Arrival at Shrine of St. Joseph; tour
1:30pm - Mass at Shrine of St. Joseph
 
*All times are approximate and subject to change due to travel times, weather, rest breaks, etc. Please pay attention to communication from the organizers as the starting time and other times may be adjusted.

Under the Patronage of St. Joseph

The Joseph Challenge Pilgrimage is named in honor of St. Joseph, the foster father of Our Lord. He is looked to as a role model of authentic masculine virtues, such as chastity and hard work. The Pilgrimage takes place near the date of the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which is celebrated on May 1st. It is organized by Catholic laymen specifically for men 18 years of age and older.

The Pilgrimage will visit these St. Louis-area locations named in honor of St. Joseph:

St. Joseph - Manchester

The Joseph Challenge Pilgrimage will begin at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manchester

Carmel of St. Joseph (Carmelite Monastery)

The second destination on the Joseph Challenge Pilgrimage is at Carmel of St. Joseph, otherwise known as the Carmelite Monastery.

St. Joseph - Clayton

The last stop of the first day of the Joseph Challenge is St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clayton, one of the older parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Pilgrimage activities at St. Joseph's include Holy Hour with adoration, confession, and benediction, dinner, and social time. Pilgrims can also sleep overnight at St. Joseph in preparation for Day Two.

Shrine of St. Joseph

The final destination of the Joseph Challenge is the Shrine of St. Joseph in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri, one of the most breathtaking churches in the region, and the site of a Vatican-authenticated miracle. Mass will be offered upon arrival, and pilgrims will have the opportunity to take a tour of the Shrine.

Have questions? Use the Contact Us page or check out these Frequently Asked Questions.

 

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