BURLINGTON – On Monday, June 22, Bishop John McDermott will begin a walking pilgrimage for Vocations, traversing across the state of Vermont on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT).
courtesy photo
He will be accompanied by Fr. Scott Gratton, the vocations director for the Diocese of Burlington.
The two will begin in St. Johnsbury, at the eastern terminus of the trail, with the objective of concluding at the western terminus in Swanton, on Saturday, June 27.
They will visit Hardwick for a 6 p.m. Holy Hour, Tuesday, June 23, at St. Norbert Church and a 7 a.m. mass there, Wednesday, June 24, before continuing to Morrisville
In late 2025, Bishop McDermott designated 2026 as a Year of Vocations for the Diocese of Burlington (“Vermont Catholic,” Winter 2026). When announcing this special year, he has asked Catholics to “remember the call and vocation to holiness that we each received in our baptism in Christ, and to witness to Him in the world.” Additionally, he has asked them to “dedicate a significant amount of our prayer in 2026 for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life among the youth in Vermont.” It is in this spirit that Bishop McDermott and Father Gratton embark on their pilgrimage.
The six-day Vocations Pilgrimage will traverse (roughly) from church to church. Some churches are located very close to the trail, and others a mile or two away. Each day of the pilgrimage will begin with a 7 a.m. Mass at a nearby parish. Though Bishop McDermott intends on this being a prayerful pilgrimage, with hourly Rosaries, other prayers and scripture readings. He also stated there will undoubtedly be time for quiet reflection, pleasant conversation and humor.
Bishop McDermott and Father Gratton intend on finishing their walk by 4 p.m., and will then close the day with a 6 p.m. Holy Hour (Adoration, Confession and Benediction) at a nearby parish.
This pilgrimage walk is a personal endeavor of the bishop and Fr. Gratton to raise awareness for vocations, and the Diocese of Burlington will not be providing any support services for other individuals who may choose to join them on the trail.
Learn more about the pilgrimage at vermontcatholic.org/event/vocations-pilgrimage/.
Bishop John J. McDermott was ordained and installed as the 11th Bishop of Burlington at The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Burlington on July 15, 2024.
The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a state-owned and -managed recreation trail. For trail maps and more information about the LVRT, visit railtrails.vermont.gov/trails/ famoille–valley-rail-trail/
