“These people are not late or soon; they are just here with only the one question to ask, which life answers by being in them. It is I who ask. Was the pilgrimage I made to come to my own self...?”
Members of vox peregrini are asked to prepare for pilgrimage in several ways.
Musical Preparation
vox peregrini performs diverse repertoire, ranging from Renaissance masses to contemporary works. The music for each pilgrimage is idiomatic to the landscape and place of the pilgrimage itself. Music is sent to members in the Spring immediately preceding the pilgrimage. Members are expected to learn their parts prior to arrival at the pilgrimage starting point. All rehearsals occur on the pilgrimage itself.
Physical Preparation
Pilgrimage is a physically rigorous journey. The Wicklow Way pilgrimage covers 129 kilometers through mountains, by upland lakes, glacial valleys, forests and farmlands. The Camino pilgrimages all cover more than 100 kilometers on varied terrain. Estes Park covers more than 60 kilometers in only a few days. All vox peregrini members are encouraged to begin a personalized physical training regimen. Most training programs include at least 30 minutes of walking 4-5 times per week, light weight training, and regular weekend hikes that culminate in 7-8 hour excursions in the weeks prior to the pilgrimage.
Personal Preparation
Members of vox peregrini are encouraged to regularly engage their imaginations as pilgrims prior to the journey. Many choose to begin new disciplines in order to create space within themselves so that they may listen attentively to what the journey speaks into their lives. A suggested reading list including novels, poetry, memoirs, and spiritual writings is provided in the months leading up to the pilgrimage.