Pilgrims carry Fighting Irish spirit throughout two-week journey

Friends and family of the Notre Dame community are making major headway in their journey from Vincennes to South Bend.

Thursday morning, the group passed through Rockville where they waved to local onlookers.

A total of 32 people are partaking in the entire 14-day pilgrimage, retracing the same steps Father Edward Sorin walked 175 years ago.

Thursday, pilgrims traveled under three covered bridges, and will bike and walk a combined 33 miles by the end of the day. Throughout their journey, they are carrying their Fighting Irish spirit with them.

“Seeing the people come out and open their hearts and their homes and their parishes, and also the camaraderie we’re building with the fellow pilgrims, listening to them and their life journeys and their stories, has been really amazing. We’re making some really great friendships here,” said Nancy Majerek, Notre Dame Trail pilgrim.

Nancy Majerek has accomplished several marathons and triathlons. She says the pilgrimage is right up her alley.

“I’m just grateful that I was able to do this, and I'm finding a lot of peace and serenity on the countryside,” said Majerek.

The pilgrims will land in Crawfordsville midday Thursday.

The pilgrimage continues until August 26 when everyone is invited to walk along the final stretch.

That will go from Howard Park in South Bend to Notre Dame's campus where a mass will be held to culminate the two-week journey.

We will have live coverage of that day on WNDU. Stay with NewsCenter 16 throughout the pilgrimage, both on-air and online.

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for more information about the Notre Dame Trail.