Physical Preparation

The Christus Rex Pilgrimage is walked every year by Pilgrims of all ages with widely varying levels of health and fitness. It is not necessary to engage in any particularly strenuous training regime.  However, you will enjoy your time walking and benefit more from the experience if you have completed at least some shorter walks in the lead-up to the Pilgrimage. At the very least, this will allow you to ensure that your footwear is comfortable, supportive and properly broken in. The Pilgrimage is 90 km in length.  Pilgrims walk around 30 km on each of the three days.  Each day is divided into four walking sessions of approximately two -to- three hours in length, punctuated by short breaks for lunch and morning and afternoon teas.  Pilgrims are expected to maintain a steady but relaxed walking pace. Unsurprisingly, many of the minor injuries that are experienced by Pilgrims relate to fatigue and stress to the feet and ankles.  St John’s Ambulance officers travel with the Pilgrims and provide first aid if needed.  Fortunately, many of these minor injuries are avoidable by:

• Completing short walks (5-10 km) in the lead up to the Pilgrimage;
• Wearing properly fitted walking shoes or boots;
• Carrying a small water bottle or hydration pack while walking to maintain adequate hydration levels;
• Wearing a hat, sunscreen, and clothing appropriate for walking in the prevailing weather conditions;
• Practicing thorough foot hygiene, especially at the end of each day;
• Wearing fresh, clean socks each morning;
• Stretching and limbering up muscles before commencing each walking session;
• Knowing your limits! If you feel an injury coming on or start to feel unwell, stop walking, see the first aid officers or catch the shuttle-bus to the next stop.

Spiritual Preparation

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  But they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25

The Christus Rex Pilgrimage can be an arduous, and yet joyful, physical and spiritual journey.  In the same way that you should prepare yourself physically for the walk, we suggest that you prepare yourself spiritually for the Pilgrimage well before you commence walking at Ballarat. Preparing yourself spiritually for the Pilgrimage does not need to be a difficult and complicated task.  It may simply involve spending a little more time in daily prayer, Eucharistic adoration, or more regularly going to receive the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. To further assist Pilgrims in this spiritual preparation, we publish on our website three spiritual reflections over the last months preceding the Pilgrimage.  The reflections are prepared by Priests who will be attending the Pilgrimage.  If you have registered for the Pilgrimage, you will receive an email notifying you when each new reflection is made available.  The reflections for previous years are also available on our website. We also suggest that you commence praying the novena to Christ the King, which is also available on our website, so that it is completed on the last day of the Pilgrimage.