Sacred Heart Pilgrimage

jubillee year 2025 - “pilgrims of hope”

pilgrimage to sacred hEart parish

in susanville California VIA Bizz Johnson Trail

As part of the Jubilee Year 2025 Bishop Jaime Soto, of the Sacramento Diocese, has chosen Sacred Heart Church in Susanville to be one of 12 pilgrimage sites for “Pilgrims of Hope”. To provide an opportunity for pilgrims to visit our parish during this time, a special pilgrimage will be taking place June 26 and 27. There will be a 24.5 mile pilgrimage, along the Bizz Johnson trail, ending at Sacred Heart Church on the feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 2025.

what to expect

The pilgrimage will follow the Bizz Johnson Trail from Westwood to Susanville. There are multiple stops on the pilgrimage route and participation options will be broken into 3 tracks. Pilgrims should choose which track suits their capabilities best. Pilgrims under 18 must be accompanied by a designated adult.

Track One

The first track entails the full pilgrimage route. A 24.5 mile journey with an overnight stay at the half way point in a designated camping area. Pilgrims under the age of 12 are not recommended on Track One.  Google map of 1st track.

track Two

The second track starts on the morning of day two, at the designated camping area and will be 13.7 miles, in total. Due to the location, transportation will not be provided. Google map of 2nd track.

track Three

The third track will meet the pilgrims at Hobo Camp and complete the remaining 1.5 miles of the pilgrimage to Sacred Heart Church. Where the pilgrimage will culminate with Holy Mass, a Eucharistic Procession and Feast in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Google map of 3rd track

Pilgrimage Details

The initial meeting point will be Monsignor Moran Hall of Sacred Heart Church, in Susanville at 6:45 am on June 26th. Upon arrival you will need to check in with facilitators and receive your wrist band. Transportation will be provided to take pilgrims to Our Lady of Snows Parish in Lake Almanor to begin with morning mass. After being sent forth, pilgrims will be taken to the starting point of the pilgrimage trail in Westwood. At the end of the first day we will end at a designated camping area where a humble pilgrims meal will be served (water, soup and bread). Communal tents will be provided (1 men’s and 1 women’s). Day two, hot coffee, cocoa, and bread will be provided to pilgrims. All second track pilgrims will join the group before head-off. Restrooms will be provided periodically throughout the trail, as well as water refill stations. Basic medical needs will also be provided (band aid, ointment ect.). Third track pilgrims will meet at Hobo Camp, in the town of Susanville, where the first and second track pilgrims will have a swift break. The pilgrimage will end at Sacred Heart Church with a celebration of the Holy mass, celebrated by Most Reverend Rey Bersabal, Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento (con-celebrated with the pilgrimage chaplains) and followed by a Eucharistic procession. At the conclusion of the Eucharistic procession we will celebrate the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a dinner in Monsignor Moran Hall.

what to bring

  • Every pilgrim is expected to bring their own packed lunches and snacks to eat while on the pilgrimage, only a simple evening meal on the first day will be provided. Day two will include coffee, cocoa, and bread before resuming the pilgrimage route. (There will be a feast at the end of the second day.)

  • Every pilgrim is expected to bring their own water container. Water refill stations will be provided at designated areas along the trail.

  • Pilgrims must bring a sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Tents are not floored and pilgrims will be sleeping on the dirt. Please make prior arrangements if you plan to bring, and pitch, your own tent.

  • Sun protection, a hat, and trekking poles are recommended.

    • Transportation will be provided for anyone who is unable to carry their gear (limit one bag per pilgrim). Please label your bag for easy identification.

spiritual preparation

A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of religious devotion. This is an opportunity to challenge yourself and do penance, or simply give thanks to God. Feel free to use this pilgrimage as a means to secure a plenary indulgence set forth by Bishop Soto for the Jubilee Year 2025 (as always all other requirements for indulgences apply, included in the Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope Brochure here. This can also be found on our resources page.). The chaplains for this pilgrimage will be shortly introduced. Chaplains will be available to confer the Sacrament of Confession throughout the pilgrimage route, as well as during any downtime at camp. Please check out our Spiritual Preparations for more information about the suggested spiritual practices leading up to the pilgrimage, set forth by our pilgrimage Chaplains, to come as soon as possible.