Cross of Hope Pilgrimage: Young adults walk from Banff to Canmore

The first-ever Walking Pilgrimage of the Cross of Hope took place this week, as close to 30 adults made the 26 km journey on foot from Banff to Canmore. With backpacks, songs, prayers, and the Vatican flag, the group set out early in the morning after a 5 am wake-up call, prayer, and a special send-off blessing.

The pilgrimage was the culmination of a weekend for young adults that began on Friday night with the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated by Bishop McGrattan at St. Mary’s Parish in Banff. Afterwards, the group “camped” at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, generously hosted by Fr. Daniel Stevenot, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish. The weekend included a mountain hike and Mass on Saturday, a community BBQ that evening, and on Sunday, parish Mass followed by brunch, a Marian concert, and Eucharistic Adoration.

The pilgrimage was led by Fr. Troy Nguyen, chaplain of St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy in Calgary, with staff and volunteers from SFXC working hard behind the scenes to prepare every detail.

​Thanks to Bishop McGrattan's inspiration and support, this was the first time such a pilgrimage had been organized on foot between Banff and Canmore, and the day was full of moments of prayer, community, and joy.

Carrying the cross
One of the most powerful parts of the journey was carrying the large wooden Cross of Hope along the Legacy Trail. Pilgrims took turns hoisting it on their shoulders, praying decades of the Rosary, and singing hymns along the way.

Darren, a pilgrim from Calgary, shared, "Carrying the cross and praying all the decades of the rosary… I felt very close to Mama Mary. That was really nice. I’d say that’s my highlight.”

Shane, also from Calgary, agreed as he noted, “It feels so rejuvenating… almost alive doing this in the name of God. Even if it’s just a fraction of what Jesus went through, it strengthens your faith and brings you closer to God.”
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While the cross grew heavy at times, pilgrims reflected on how even the physical burden drew them closer to Christ in his suffering and in his glory.

Witness on the trail
The Legacy Trail was busy that day, with bikers and drivers catching sight of the pilgrims. Darren noted that most of the reactions were positive.

“Even if they didn’t believe, they’d wonder: why are these guys doing this? It could be a testament to the faith for unbelievers.” 

At one point, an RV driver pulled over, excited to see the procession. Fr. Troy went up to greet him, adding to the day’s many unexpected encounters.

Meeting Bishop McGrattan and all the pilgrims
The highlight came when the pilgrims arrived at the Canmore spring site in the afternoon, greeted by Bishop William McGrattan. From there, Bishop McGrattan accompanied the group to the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies.

At the Shrine, he received the Cross of Hope with the words:
“Hail, cross of Christ, our only hope.”
“You are our hope, we will never be confounded.”

The Bishop then prayed, “Lord Jesus Christ, who embraced the Cross to reveal the depth of your love and the power of your mercy, we welcome this Cross of Hope into our midst as a sign of your presence and a call to conversion… May it rekindle our faith, deepen our charity, and renew our hope.”

The Mass followed, with the blessing of the spring water that pilgrims had carried with them. The Cross of Hope will remain at the Shrine Church through the week before returning to the Cathedral for the rest of the Jubilee Year.

A stop at the Canmore spring site to meet Bishop McGrattan and all the pilgrims before continuing their journey to the Shrine Church.

Bishop McGrattan received the Cross of Hope at the Shrine Church

Community, friendship, and faith
The pilgrimage wasn’t just about walking; it was about growing together as a community. Darren admitted that during the weekend at St. Mary's in Banff, “I didn’t really know anybody… but I met a lot of new people.” Pilgrims shared that there were plenty of laughs too. 

For Jude, another young pilgrim, the highlights came out in a more down-to-earth way. In his words: “The games were pretty fun, and adoration was pretty sick too. Even the hike was sweet. Everything had its own special moment.”

That mix of prayer, play, and perseverance is what many pilgrims said made the experience unforgettable.

Darren

Shane and Fr. Troy

Jude

A Jubilee celebration

​This walking pilgrimage is part of the larger “Mary, Mother of Hope: Jubilee Marian Week” being celebrated in Canmore from August 18–22, 2025. It’s a week of Masses, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, devotions, reflections, and free concerts, with pilgrims invited to come for a day, a weekend, or the whole week.

At the heart of the celebration is the opportunity to receive plenary indulgences during this Jubilee Year of Hope, a time to experience God’s grace in a profound way.

For many of the young adults, this first Banff-to-Canmore pilgrimage won’t be their last. When asked if they’d do it again, Darren and Shane both said yes without hesitation.
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The Cross of Hope journey was more than just a 26 km hike. This pilgrimage was a visible witness of faith, a chance to grow closer to Christ, and a reminder that hope truly does not disappoint. 

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Photos courtesy of  Jenn Pashula and St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.