For over two decades, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has hosted an annual “Journey with Christ” pilgrimage event in support of the Global South.
Historically, a Sunday mass at Cathedral High School would mark the start of the journey before staff and students would make the 8-kilometre trek up the Wentworth escarpment rail trail to St. Anthony Daniel Catholic Elementary School.
This year, the tradition will take a step in a new direction.
During Catholic Education Week, the “Journey with Christ, Justice for the Poor” Pilgrimage will be held separately at each of the local Catholic schools.
“This will allow more students to participate and witness the benefits and positive impact of a pilgrimage,” said Pilgrimage Co-Chair Kathy Ciapanna. “It will, as well, serve to promote the goodness and significant contribution Catholic schools make to our community.”
Since its inception in 2003-2004, $791,849.56 has been raised to date.
Deemed to be the largest service project in the history of the board, the pilgrimage is more than simply fundraising. It is a social justice project that combines the three activities of prayer, development education and fundraising. The walk provides an opportunity for students to learn about social justice issues in the Developing South, particularly around the imbalance of wealth.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I commend the staff and students in our Catholic schools and Administrative Centres for their participation in local ‘walk with Christ’ pilgrimages,” said Chairperson of the Board Patrick Daly.
“The pilgrimages at the local community level serve as a wonderful opportunity to give witness to our Catholic school system’s commitment to Christian service and supporting those in need throughout the world. They are, as well, an ideal occasion to celebrate and promote the precious gift of publicly funded Catholic education.”
Also new this year, staff and students are encouraged to wear green on April 30th for “Wear Green for Hope Day” – a system-wide dress down day in support of the pilgrimage. Participants are asked to donate a loonie or toonie which will go towards development projects in communities in Haiti, Uganda and the Dominican Republic, as well as Catholic development organizations.
Online donations will also be accepted through School Cash Online from April 1 to May 31, 2025.
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We invite our Catholic school communities to journey in solidarity and faith, and to celebrate and share your experiences through social media posts using #HWCDSBPilgrimage.