Men's pilgrimage 2025: Together on the path of hope!

Men's pilgrimage 2025: Together on the path of hope!

On July 7, 2025, numerous participants gathered for the men's pilgrimage, which began with a short prayer in the Schardenberg parish church. The atmosphere was characterized by a strong sense of “we” and many pilgrims had the opportunity to have in-depth conversations. Those present were warmly welcomed by cooperator Didacus Ilo and Andrea Dirmhirn, spokesperson for the pastoral care team. The group then set off to explore a section of the Via Nova towards Passau. The central theme of “hope” was dealt with at four stations. The stations invited people to reflect, pray, listen and exchange ideas. The pilgrims were supported by Frank Bosch, an experienced pilgrim companion, and Dr. Hans-Peter Eggerl, the men's pastor, who provided the inspiration for the day.

At the end of the pilgrimage, Otto Penn, the head of the family department, took over the leadership of the rosary prayer for the Mariahilf pilgrimage. Such processions have a long tradition in the region and connect generations.

News from the pilgrim world

Interest in pilgrimage is continually growing, and many people are looking for new ways to get in touch with themselves, their questions and hopes, as well as with creation and God. There are currently a variety of training offers for pilgrimage companions that are very popular. Like the page of Via Nova reports, comprehensive training is offered for those interested in accompanying pilgrim groups and wishing to provide spiritual inspiration.

This course extends from April 11 to September 21, 2025 and includes five modules - three in person and two online. The first module, which takes place from April 11th to 13th, is all about the basics of spirituality and accompanying pilgrims. Experts like Barbara Schmidt and other trainers will accompany the participants through practical content, such as organizing pilgrimages. Anyone who would like to complete the course should register by April 7, 2025. The cost is 799 euros and includes, among other things, accommodation and meals.

Spiritual accompaniment during pilgrimages

In addition, it also offers Theodosius Academy offers certified training for spiritual accompaniment during pilgrimages. This training is based on a Christian-Franciscan spirituality and teaches participants basic skills to support individuals or groups on pilgrimages. The four-week course extends over several face-to-face and online modules and concludes with a practical phase, which gives participants the opportunity to apply their knowledge directly. Knowledge of group dynamics and the basics of communication as well as legal and technical information that is important for pilgrimage are particularly in demand.

Overall, it can be seen that traditional pilgrimage routes such as the Via Nova are experiencing a real boom. The pilgrimage and the accompanying training not only create space for spiritual experiences, but also for meeting like-minded people and dealing with personal issues in a supportive community.