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Chartres 2005

Various sites have put up photos from this year’s annual traditionalist Pentecost pilgrimage to Chartres, and I thought, as I did last year, I would gather a few of them and present them to you.

Though I had made enquiries with the British chapter, alas I was not able to attend; hopefully I will finally be able to do so next year. Even if – God forbid – I was not Catholic, as a vexillaphile it would be worth going to the Chartres pilgrimage for the flags and banners alone. Though not on pilgrimage, I have been to Chartres twice before, first in 1990 when I was a mere six years old, and then again in 2000 when I was lucky enough to have Malcolm Miller – “the world’s foremost authority on Chartres” – as a tour guide.

The pilgrimage begins with a mass at Nôtre-Dame de Paris, then proceeds to walk all the way to Nôtre-Dame de Chartres, arriving there on the Monday of Pentecost. All the masses along the way are traditional Latin masses. Above, pilgrims rest in the forest on the way to Chartres.

The Irish even showed up.

One of the outdoor masses along the way.

There they are again, the SMOM! Or to be more precise, their ambulance corps, which provided first aid along the route of the pilgrimage. Seen here speaking with an unidentified bishop.

Of course some of our fellow Americans hopped across the pond to join in.

I believe the Catalans call these either castellos or toros, castles or towers built out of humans. They can sometimes be a good many levels high.

Of course, the friar had to give it a try…

… and then the Bretons, true to form, made their own.

Finally, on the third day, the pilgrims reach the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres.

The overflow from the packed cathedral watched the Mass on television screens erected for the occasion in the Cathedral square.

The procession at the beginning of the Mass.

And at the end of the Mass, an episcopal blessing for the crowds.

Published at 7:49 pm on Friday 15 July 2005. Categories: Church France Tradition Tags: , , , .
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