Presentation of the « Guardian Angels » Chapter at the pilgrimage to Chartres
The “Guardian Angels” Chapter refers to real human beings who can’t be physically present during the three Pentecost days but though want to be present spiritually, and nonetheless truly, at the Chartres Pilgrimage.
This chapter is inspired by the idea of the non-walkers and wants meanwhile to spread it. Before we present it further, we want to pay homage to Christian and Catherine Chauvière who during so many years have created and organized that beautiful non-walkers chapter which is now changing for a larger radiance of Notre-Dame de Chrétienté’s work.
How is it possible? Can I really go on the Chartres pilgrimage in this way?
The Church teaches us that “In the communion of saints, none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself" (Rm 14, 7). "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." (1 Co 12, 26-27). In this solidarity with all men, living or dead, which is founded on the communion of saints, the least of our acts done in charity redounds to the profit of all (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n°953).Moreover, moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n° 2010). Thus in the communion of saints the prayers and sacrifices done by the “Guardian Angels”, wherever they are and united to God in charity, will merit new graces for the pilgrims, while on the other hand the prayers and sacrifices done by the walkers will merit graces for the “Guardian Angels”.
That reciprocity makes the “Guardian Angels” real pilgrims of the Chartres pilgrimage. It can be compared with the “cooperators” of Holy Mother Teresa who adopt a nun and offer for her all their suffering and prayers; the nun involves completely the cooperator in all her acts: they become closely united and may call each other “my second I”.
Who can take part in the pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
The Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels” is meant for people who can’t be physically present during the three Pentecost days or who aren’t able to walk. The “Guardian Angels” concerns the religious, the parents of young children, the invalids and the persons too old to walk the 100 km of the pilgrimage, the prisoners, the expats, the sailors and soldiers on a mission… In short, all people held up out of duty or because of their physical condition.By creating this huge chain of prayer, we want to involve as many people as possible and enable everyone to be part of the Chartres pilgrimage.
Why shall I be part of the pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
In these times where the Christian values are directly threatened, it’s urgent to spread and intensify the movement of prayers and penitence constituted by the Chartres pilgrimage. None must be prevented from being part of this movement. The prayer of the “Guardian Angels” united to the walkers will rise to God to implore his mercy, intercede for the Church and our society and convert the souls, so that the graces of the pilgrimage reach everybody.What is the spirit of the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
Just like for the walkers, the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels” is based on the three pillars of Tradition, Christendom and Mission.“We are dwarves on the shoulders of giants”, Bernard de Chartres said in the 12th century: thus based on the doctrinal, liturgical and sacramental Tradition of the Church – with the Tridentine rite which we are attached to – we can ourselves add our stone to the edification of the 21st century.
That is possible above all with the restoration of Christendom. This is no outdating idea to make relive a time gone by: the Christendom is seen as the realization of “the kingship of Christ over all creation and in particular over human societies” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n° 2105). The philosopher Gustave Thibon saw it as “a civilization where the temporal is constantly irrigated by the eternal”.
Thereby the Mission is naturally the supreme charity towards the others. Pope Francis invites us to “a new phase of evangelization, one marked by enthusiasm and vitality”. He adds: “Life is attained and matures in the measure that it is offered up in order to give life to others” (Evangelii gaudium, n°10). With their prayers, the “Guardian Angels” will experience that directly.
How can I go on the Chartres pilgrimage with the “Guardian Angels”?
The “Guardian Angels” of the Chartres pilgrimage make simple and clear commitments adapted to their situation: daily recitation of the pilgrimage’s prayer, and depending on one’s possibilities: rosary, mass, confession, charity work or penance acts.The pilgrimage’s prayer is recited by all and is thereby an obvious tie between the “Guardian Angels” and the walkers. The “Guardian Angels” can receive the book of the pilgrimage on request and will thus be able to follow the meditations, nearly hour per hour. They will pray for the intentions of the pilgrimage and can conversely entrust the chapters of walkers with their prayer intentions.
The “Guardian Angels” can also gather locally to pray together.
A last word?
In the present circumstances it is urgent to pray. Praying is within everyone’s reach, whatever one’s situation may be. Therefore we encourage you to recruit “Guardian Angels” in your entourage: if one isn’t able to walk, one is always able to pray!Contact : click here