Pilgrims of hope in a missionary Church

On Saturday, October 18, a diocesan day will take place as part of the Holy Year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope in a Missionary Church. You are warmly invited to make a pilgrimage to Delft on this day.

Registration

We kindly request that you register for this day. Please also read the information about accessibility (car/public transport/bicycle) at the bottom of this page.

• Register using the online form!

Pilgrimage to Delft and mini pilgrimage

At 10:30 a.m., Bishop Van den Hende will preside at the Eucharistic celebration in the Maria van Jesse Church. Afterwards, participants can choose between two options:

1. A Pilgrimage Program in the Maria van Jesse Church, or
2. A Mini-Pilgrimage to another location in the city, to reflect together on what it means to be pilgrims of hope in a missionary Church.

The day will conclude around 3:00 p.m. with a closing prayer service of mission and hope.

Option 1

The pilgrimage program in the Maria van Jesse Church will focus on praying the ‘Rosary of Hope’ together, with special intentions for persecuted Christians and peace in the world. Mary, the ‘Mother of Hope’, continues to intercede for us and pray with us, just as she did with the first apostles. In Delft, the mother of Jesus is venerated under the title Mary of Jesse. What does this title mean, and what is the history of the annual Maria Ommegang in Delft? These questions will be explored during the pilgrimage program in the church.

Option 2

The mini-pilgrimage includes a short walk (about 30 minutes) to another location in the city. There, so-called missionary teams will give a brief presentation as a prelude to a synodal group discussion on the theme of the day: What does it mean to be a pilgrim of hope in a missionary Church? How do we celebrate and pray in the Holy Year 2025? How can we put charity and diaconia into practice? How can we bear witness to our faith -in word and deed- and hand it on through proclamation and catechesis? How can we reach out and involve others more effectively?

Program

• 10:30 a.m. Eucharistic celebration in the Maria van Jessekerk (Burgwal 20) - Bishop Van den Hende is the main celebrant
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch (please bring your own packed lunch)
• 1:00 p.m. Option 1: Pilgrimage program in the Maria van Jesse Church. Rosary prayer - we pray together the ‘rosary of hope’ for persecuted Christians and peace in the world, followed by a tour of the church and an explanation of the meaning and history of Maria van Jesse
• 1:00 p.m. Option 2: Mini pilgrimage (about a 30-minute walk, Stanislas College, Westplantsoen 71) and (synodal) discussion on the theme of the day: what does it mean to be a pilgrim of hope in a missionary Church with the mission to celebrate, learn, and serve
• 3:00 p.m. Prayer service of mission and hope in the HH. Franciscus en Clarakerk (Raamstraat 76) - Joint closing with prayer and Scripture readings, renewal of our baptismal vows, and recitation of the creed

Maria van Jessekerk: Burgwal 20, Delft
Stanislas College: Westplantsoen 71, Delft
HH. Franciscus en Clarakerk: Raamstraat 76, Delft

Accessibility

The Maria van Jessekerk is not accessible by car.There is a market on the Burgwal in front of the church. On Saturday mornings, the church is only accessible on foot.

Are you coming by car?
Check parkerendelft.com
Parking in one of the parking garages is recommended.

Are you coming by public transport?
From Delft station, it is about a 10-minute walk to the church (exit center). OV-fiets rental bikes are also available at this station.

Are you coming by bike?
Take the route via Oude Langendijk and park your bike there at the rear of the church. Walk through the alley (Jozefstraat) to the front of the church on Burgwal

From the Maria van Jessekerk (and the Stanislas College), we will end the day at the HH Franciscus en Clarakerk on Raamstraat. This church is a 4-minute walk from Delft station (station square exit) and about 15 minutes from the Maria van Jessekerk.