Last Updated: August 21, 2024
About the Pilgrimage (August 22-24, 2024)
A Catholic pilgrimage is simply a group of Catholics traveling to a holy place to implore God for graces. This is traditionally done by walking to the shrine, offering up the trials of the journey to God as some poor recompense for our many sins. The destination is normally a holy shrine or church where the relics of a saint or saints are kept or where a miracle has occurred. A good example of a pilgrimage is the many modern Catholics travelling to Lourdes, France or Fatima, Portugal to visit the shrines erected there after Our Blessed Mother Mary's appearances on those particular spots. These pilgrimages that occur around the world are filled with prayer and trials, but yield great graces.
Each Catholic pilgrimage has its own unique features. Our pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians, known quite simply as “Holy Hill,” is a relatively short, three day pilgrimage designed to traverse a variety of landscapes yet accommodate almost everyone, especially families. On the way to this cherished Shrine, the pilgrims walk on bike trails, roads and several winding paths through the woods. They pass through small towns and subdivisions, and even climb a lookout tower. The roughly 33 mile, three-day trek with all of its joys and sacrifices culminates at this gem of a basilica, much like our journey in life with all of its challenges ends at the gates of heaven. The shrine is perched atop the highest hill in the region, and the double-spired church can be seen up to 20 miles away.
This year marks the thirteenth annual pilgrimage to Holy Hill. It all began in 2012 when eleven seminarians and brothers and priests undertook an epic, three-week long trek which started at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Winona, Minnesota and crossed most of the state of Wisconsin during a period of record heat! Since that year, the itinerary has been shortened to a modest three-day length, and the weather has proven more favorable.
There has been an average of 100 to 200+ pilgrims each year. The largest number of pilgrims is always on the third day – as of last year, still small numbers, but generous spirits! These faithful come from all over Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and beyond. The pilgrimage concludes with a fairly long ascent up the road to Holy Hill, followed by an impressive number of stairs to gain the Basilica. At the top awaits a beautiful church dedicated to Our Lady and an absolutely magnificent view. The last day is normally finished with Holy Mass and a celebratory banquet.
Produced and Directed by Thomas Harber
General Information:
Holy Hill Pilgrimage 2024
August 22-24, Thursday - Saturday
2024 UPDATES
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Teenagers (17 and younger) are not permitted to camp by themselves. They must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Lights out and silence at 11 PM both nights at the campsite (Thursday & Friday)
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Holy Mass at St. Pius V in Mukwonago at 8:00 AM Thursday morning. (425 Grand Ave, Mukwonago, WI 53149)
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Saturday starting point has changed back to the Milwaukee Ultimate grounds (N75 W30343, County Rd VV, Hartland, WI 53029)
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Saturday Mass and Banquet will be at the Zignego residence. Please sign up for the banquet here: https://signup.com/go/VPmrtdg
Beginning Point:
The pilgrimage will begin at Sunset Park, on County Hwy D (Sunset Drive), just west of Waukesha on Thursday, August 22nd. Please arrive by 9:30 AM to receive the special blessing for those going on pilgrimage. Pilgrims will leave there cars, camping gear, etc. at Sunset Park. We will start walking at 10:00 A.M. If you are unable to join us on the first day, you may still join the pilgrimage at any point during the three days. If you intend to join us at some point during any of the three days, please call either of the support drivers, and one of them will guide you to the procession en-route. All children must be accompanied by an adult who will watch over and be responsible for them; however, many of the youth are very happy to assist with small children throughout the day. Thursday's and Friday's trails are very accessible by stroller, but Saturday’s march is only navigable on foot or by an all-terrain stroller. If you only want to march part of the day, you are welcome to ride in the support vehicle the rest of the way or get a ride back to your car.
Ending Point:
Holy Hill on Saturday, August 24th around 3:00 PM.
Holy Mass at 5:00 PM at the Zignego residence.
Banquet to follow at same location. Please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/VPmrtdg
Side Notes: Please bring your pilgrimage scrips (bandanas) that you have worn on past pilgrimages as well as pilgrimage song booklets, hymnals, musical instruments or recreational equipment for evening camaraderie.
Day 1
Thursday - about 12.5 miles
We will start at Sunset Park on the Glacial Drumlin Trail at 10:00 AM heading west and stop for lunch in the town of Wales. We then take the Ice Age Trail heading north through the Lapham Peak unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From there, we will enter the town of Delafield and take the Lake Country Recreation Trail to Naga – Waukee Park. This is where we will camp for the night.
Addresses:
Start: Sunset Park, S30W28452 Sunset Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188
Lunch: Wales Park, 319 James St, Wales, WI 53183
End: Naga-Waukee Park, 651 Wisconsin 83, Hartland, WI 53029, Campsites 1 & 2
Timeline:
6:30 AM: Mass at St. Therese Chapel.
8:00 AM Mass at St. Pius V Chapel.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Arrive at Sunset Park.
9:30 AM: Special Pilgrimage Blessing.
10:00 AM: Pilgrimage begins.
12:00 PM: Arrive at lunch site in Wales.
1:00 PM: Leave lunch site.
3 - 3:30 PM: Arrive at Lapham Peak Tower.
4 PM: Leave and head to campground.
5:30 PM: Arrive at Naga-Waukee Park.
Setup Camp
Day 2
Friday - about 11.5 miles
We will walk from Naga – Waukee Park, leaving at 9:30 AM, following the Ice Age Trail and some streets north into the town of Hartland and stopping for lunch at Nixon Park. We will then continue north on both the Ice Age Trail and several roads. We will end the day at Pollworth Park (White Tail Run, Hartland, WI 53029) near the town of Merton.
Addresses:
Start: Naga-Waukee Park, 651 Wisconsin 83, Hartland, WI 53029
Lunch: Nixon Park, 339 Maple Ave, Hartland, WI 53029
End: Pollworth Park, White Tail Run, Hartland, WI 53029
Timeline:
7:30 AM: Mass at campsite.
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Drivers shuttle vehicles.
9:30 AM: Leave campsite.
12:15 - 12:30 PM: Arrive at Nixon Park/Lunch.
1:00 PM: Leave Nixon Park.
4:00 - 4:30 PM: Arrive at Pollworth Park.
Head back to Naga-Waukee Park for overnight camping
General Daily Routes
Day 3
Saturday - about 10 miles
We will begin at 9 AM at the Milwaukee Ultimate grounds (N75 W30343, County Rd VV, Hartland, WI 53029). We walk the Ice Age Trail north through the woods to the village of Monches. Here we will have lunch on the grounds of the local Catholic Church, St. Theresa of Calcutta Parish (6132 County Road Q, Colgate, WI 53029 -- in Monches not North Lake). From there, we will take the trail and certain roads north to finish at Holy Hill. Mass and Banquet to follow.
Addresses:
Start: Milwaukee Ultimate, N75 W30343, County Rd VV, Hartland, WI 53029
Lunch: St. Theresa of Calcutta Church, 6132 County Road Q, Colgate, WI 53029 (Updated)
End: Holy Hill Basilica, 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033
Mass & Banquet: Zignego residence. Address in sign up below.
Timeline:
6:30 AM: Get up, breakfast, and pack up camp.
7:45 AM: Leave campground.
8:30 AM: Drop off pilgrims at Milwaukee Ultimate in Merton. Drivers shuttle cars to Holy Hill.
9:00 AM: Begin walking
11:00 - 11:30 AM: Arrive at St. Theresa of Calcutta Church/Lunch
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Leave Lunch stop.
3:30 - 3:45 PM: Arrive at Holy Hill.
5:00 PM Holy Mass
Banquet to follow. PLEASE SIGN UP BELOW
NOTE: There will be a group campfire Thursday and Friday nights at the campsite. There is normally a sing along around the campfire both nights way too late into the night. We do skits for each other, tell jokes, and generally have a great time!
Transportation
Day 1 - Thursday:
You are responsible for getting to the starting point at Sunset Park. Leave your vehicle with all your camping gear in the parking lot. Once we arrive that evening at our Naga - Waukee group campsite, drivers will be shuttled back to their vehicle so they can bring it, along with food and gear, to the campsite. If you meet the procession midday, the support vehicle will help you find a place to park your vehicle and join the march.
Day 2 - Friday
The morning of the second day, drivers will take their vehicles to the destination of that day’s walk, i.e. Pollworth Park near Merton and be shuttled back to Naga–Waukee Park so that they can join the pilgrimage.
Day 3 - Saturday
The morning of the third day, drivers will park at the Milwaukee Ultimate grounds in Merton, drop off their passengers, before proceeding to Holy Hill, where they will leave their vehicles AT THE UPPER PARKING LOT and be shuttled back to the starting point.
After arrival at Holy Hill, pilgrims will proceed to the Zignego residence in their own vehicles for Mass and banquet.
Camping and Facilities
Trail Facilities:
Restrooms will be available at trailheads and most parks along the way. During the first two days, these are sufficiently available for normal circumstances. For the third day, portable restrooms will be placed at the lunch spot and the rest stop area. Otherwise, the support vehicle can take people to the nearest facility.
Sleeping Arrangements:
Two large group campsites (#1 and #2) have been reserved at Naga – Waukee Park for Thursday and Friday nights. This means camping in tents. Pilgrims will need to bring their own tents and camping gear. Please pay for your car at the kiosk as you enter the park. Your remittance for the tents can be paid at the campsite to either of the two support drivers or online at registration. Water and toilets are available near the campsite. Showers are available at the beach house, a ten-minute walk away. Otherwise, motels and hotels are nearby. One could also return home each night.
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Starting this year (2024), children and teenagers will not be allowed to camp without a parent or guardian. Also, the campsite will have a curfew of 11 PM, lights out and silence.
Costs
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Registration:​​ This is a lump fee for taking part in the pilgrimage. With gas prices so high and the need for more support systems and website upkeep, we feel this is a necessary step to keep this pilgrimage going. ​​
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$5/person
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or $25/family​
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One tent per night: $10 (Pay at Registration Table at campsite)
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One vehicle per night: $7 (Pay ONLINE ONLY through the park website)
https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/landandparks/park-system/park-fees/entrance-fees/
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In addition to these charges, extra donations are always welcome to alleviate some extra costs which will help our current donors. Note that someone attending all 3 days only has to pay registration once. One person attending all 3 days only needs to pay $5 not $15.
All 3 days
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
Walking Thursday, camping Thursday night, walking Friday, camping Friday night, and walking Saturday
One person + One tent + One vehicle = $32
2 days
Friday & Saturday
Walking Friday, camping Friday night, & walking Saturday.
One person + One tent + One vehicle = $22
One day only
Saturday
Walking only Saturday
One person = $5
What To Bring:
Every trip has a packing list. Here is what we suggest to bring on our pilgrimage.
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A Rosary
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A Missal
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Pilgrimage scrips (bandanas) from past pilgrimages
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Water bottle or CamelBak
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Hiking shoes (Don't bring new ones, but the old pair that had been sitting at the back of your closet. Brand new shoes that have not been broken in will cause blisters.)
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Camping gear (tent, clothes, sleeping bag, etc.)
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Food for yourself
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Musical instruments and songbooks (for our evening campfire songs)
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Most importantly, please come prepared to walk, pray, sing, and socialize with your fellow Catholics!
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IMPORTANT MEDICAL NOTES:
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If you have been prescribed an EpiPen for some allergy, you must bring it on the pilgrimage. There have been several close calls with bees along our route with some of our pilgrims. One medical kit will be carried along the route and another will be in our support vehicle, but for your own safety, please bring your EpiPen!
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If you have any medical conditions that could affect your ability to complete the day's walk, please let us know so that we can plan accordingly.
Food Arrangements
Water:
Water will be provided as needed throughout the pilgrimage. However, all other drinks and all one’s meals will have to be provided by each pilgrim or family. This would begin with Thursday lunch and go through Saturday lunch.
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Food:
The lunches for all three days can be placed in the support vehicle which will meet us at each lunch stop. Snacks and water should be carried with you. Morning and evening meals will be at the campsite. Otherwise, numerous dining options are available near the group camp, some within walking distance.
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Banquet:
Please signup for the post-pilgrimage banquet here: https://signup.com/go/VPmrtdg​​
Sacraments
At least one priest will accompany the pilgrimage during all three days. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered at St. Therese Chapel (6039 Baltes Rd, Waunakee, WI 53597) at 6:30 AM before departing on Thursday morning. Holy Mass will also be offered at 8 AM at St. Pius V Chapel (425 Grand Ave, Mukwonago, WI 53149).
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On Friday morning, Mass will be offered at 7:30 AM at the group campsite before breakfast.
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Mass on Saturday will be held at 5:00 PM before the banquet.
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Confessions will be offered at various times along the pilgrimage route. These times will be announced by the accompanying priest. Also, a full, 15-decade Holy Rosary is said or sung by the entire group once a day while walking.
Other American Catholic Pilgrimages
Our pilgrimage to Holy Hill is not the only annual Catholic pilgrimage in the US...
LOST AND FOUND
Please contact holyhillpilgrimage@gmail.com to claim lost items.
​Found 2023 Pilgrimage
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Pair of prescription glasses