The "Walk to Mercy" begins at Sacred Heart Church in Warsaw, left, and ends 17 miles away at the Holy Door at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Nauvoo, right.

DALLAS CITY — Catholics in Hancock County are going the extra mile — 17 of them, in fact — to enter the Holy Door at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Nauvoo. The “Walk to Mercy” will begin at Sacred Heart Church, Fifth and Cedar, at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Citing pilgrimage as one of the key concepts of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, organizers said everyone is welcome to join them in “walking closer with God and discovering moments of grace and spiritual renewal” along the way. They suggest that pilgrims prepare spiritually by having a personal purpose for their pilgrimage.

Father Tom Otto, parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception in Monmouth and St. Patrick in Raritan, will journey with the walkers, offering meditations and the sacrament of reconciliation.

Those who can only walk a short distance may join the group at the ball park on the corner of Winchester and Young in Nauvoo. That is about one mile from Sts. Peter and Paul at 190 N. Wells St. Call (872) 210-0925 for the pilgrims’ estimated time of arrival.

All walkers are responsible for their own food and drink. Children younger than 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Transportation from Sts. Peter and Paul in Nauvoo back to Sacred Heart in Dallas City will be available.

In his 14th Festival Letter, “Divine Mercy,” Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, wrote that a plenary indulgence could be gained by those who walk through the Holy Doors at pilgrimage sites designated around the diocese “under the usual conditions.” That includes praying for the pope’s intentions, sacramental confession and reception of the Eucharist within about 20 days before or after entering the Holy Door.

Organizers asked those who are not able to walk to participate through prayer.