Catholic faithful walking across Coachella Valley in Guadalupe Pilgrimage Thursday

Coachella Valley Catholics and visitors are walking across the Coachella Valley Thursday participating in the Guadalupe Pilgrimage. 

The walk began at 6:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church (151 w. Alejo Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92262) and was set to end at Our Lady of Soledad Catholic Church in Coachella off of Valley Rd.

The 32-mile pilgrimage from Palm Springs to Coachella is an annual celebration in remembrance of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

Millions of Mexicans and others gather annually for pilgrimages in the United States and Mexico in honor of the Catholic icon. Our Lady of Guadalupe is enshrined at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. It’s one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. 

According to route information provided by the city of Palm Springs: 

“The Palm Springs-to-Coachella walk is seen as the longest such pilgrimages in the country. The route begins in Palm Springs at Alejo Road and Palm Canyon Drive then continue. Walkers will then take Frank Sinatra Drive to Tamarisk Row Drive where they will then head south to Hovley Lane, east to Warner Trail, south to Miles Avenue, east to Clinton Street, south to Doctor Carreon Boulevard, east to Calhoun St., south to Ave. 50, east to Harrison St. and then finally to Valley Road. goes east along Highway 111 to Frank Sinatra Drive.”