“Journey with Christ, Justice for the Poor” Pilgrimage Continues Across HWCDSB Schools
For more than two decades, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has supported students and staff in taking part in the annual “Journey with Christ, Justice for the Poor” pilgrimage in support of communities in the Global South.
While the pilgrimage has traditionally brought students together for a shared walk beginning at Cathedral High School, it will once again take place within local Catholic school communities during Catholic Education Week. This approach allows more students to participate and experience the meaning and impact of the pilgrimage within their own school communities.
“This continues to be a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in faith, reflect on social justice, and take action in support of others,” said Pilgrimage Co-Chair Kathy Ciapanna. “By bringing the pilgrimage into our local school communities, more students are able to take part and witness the impact of this important initiative.”
Since its inception in 2003–2004, the pilgrimage has raised $810,578.06 in support of development projects and Catholic organizations serving communities in Haiti, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic.
The pilgrimage remains one of the largest system-wide service initiatives, rooted in prayer, development education, and fundraising. Through participation, students deepen their understanding of global inequities while living out their call to serve others.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank our staff and students for their continued support of the ‘Journey with Christ’ pilgrimage,” said Chairperson of the Board, John Valvasori. “This is a great example of our school communities coming together to support others in a very real and meaningful way.”
The Pilgrimage: Journey with Christ will take place at local Catholic school communities during Catholic Education Week. To support the pilgrimage, as well as Wear Green for Hope Day on Wednesday, April 29, families will have the option to contribute through School Cash Online from April 1 to May 31, 2026. Donations will support development projects in communities in Haiti, Uganda, and the Dominican Republic, as well as Catholic development organizations.
We invite our Catholic school communities to journey in solidarity and faith, and to share their experiences using #HWCDSBPilgrimage.
