The Experience
"Go to the sacred places of the Earth to pray for peace, and have respect for the Earth which gives us our food, clothing, and shelter. We need to reactivate the energy of these sacred places. That is our work."
- Mayan elder
The interfaith World Peace Pilgrimage is an inspirational and deeply spiritual experience bringing people of all faiths together for a common and noble cause. It is an experience which you, your friends and family will find truly memorable and uplifting amid surrounding natural beauty.
Pilgrims from all cultures have been climbing Holy mountains throughout history to send out spiritual energy to the world and for their own personal enrichment. In these critical and challenging days, spiritual energy is needed more than ever. Fortunately, in Southern California, we have the sacred and powerful energies of Mt. Baldy available to all people who believe in the power of prayer and selfless service.
Testimonials
Ceremonies are held at different different locations upon the mountain so that people of all ages and hiking ability can participate. At each of these locations the ceremony will include prayers, mystic chants and sacred music from several different spiritual traditions.
"It is good that all the paths, all the traditions, came together for one purpose."
The Venerable Bhante Pannaloka, a Buddhist monk
A deeply significant experience
A personal note from Father Joe: "I want to share with you all the word I spoke when I knelt down before my Native American friend. I did not have a microphone so people could not hear what I said and I hope that my word to my Native American friends will reach others to continue to build bridges on which we are walking towards each other. Scarred by struggle, we can nonetheless be transformed by Grace in the moments of our choosing to forge new paths of reconciliation. Moved with compassion by the tears of my friend who was expressing the historical pain of all Native Americans, and I might add all Indigenous people who have been scarred by the shadow side of colonialism, I said kneeling in front of her with open arms:
'If any of my Brothers in St. Francis has hurt your people in times past, I am deeply sorrowed and I ask you to forgive me. I promise you that I will do everything I can as long as I live to heal historical wounds and to create processes that can repair broken levels of trust. I promise to build a bridge on which I am walking towards you and your people. I promise to do everything I can to affirm the values of both cultures so that we may face the future with hope and strength. In unity which respects diversity, there is strength; in strength there is power; in power there is Victory!'"
Please visit our LOGISTICS page to find everything you need to know to participate in the pilgrimage.
"Prayer, properly understood and applied, is the most potent instrument of action!"
- Mahatma Gandhi
The Ceremonies will include:
Buddhist chants * Sikh chants * Islamic prayers * Jewish prayers * Christian prayers * Brahma Kumaris blessing * New Age prayers * The Twelve Blessings * Spiritual Healing * Indigenous ritual * Sacred Music * and more...
The ceremonies will be held in segments with regular breaks for water and snacks. (You will need to bring your own food and water.)
There is no obligation to participate in all aspects of the ceremony.
Before descending, there will also be time to interact with fellow pilgrims, picnic, or engage in your own reflective practices. It is a perfect opportunity to experience a peace rarely available in our daily urban lives.