Seven Thousand Made It The Largest Ever

PARIS.
Seven thousand university students took part in the pilgrimage this year from Paris to the Notre Dame Cathedral of Chartres, marking the largest number ever to participate.
The group included Protestants and even non-believers. Eighty disabled students came in wheel chairs pushed by their comrades.
Among the pilgrims were students from England, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and even Australia.
Tne student pilgrimage to Chartres was initiated by the celebrated author, Charles Pegity. who was killed during World War I. He went to Chartres from Paris on foot to thank the Blessed Virgin for recovery of his daughter who had been seriously ill.
The pilgrimage has gained wide popularity since the end of World War II. In 1937, only 150 students took part in it; last year there were 6,000.
This year the pilgrims travelled the first 40 miles in a special train, and walked the remaining 25. Each carried a knapsack with a two-day supply of food and sleeping equipment.
The students slept in villages or in the fields and assembled for Mass in the morning. During the march they recited prayers, and at important stops they meditated and took part in discussions on charity.
Climax of the pilgrimage was a Solemn Mass in the Notre Dame Cathedral.