2026 PEACE PILGRIM CELEBRATION

From a silent peace walk to lovely sound bath to special songs and Peace Pilgrim’s own voice, the 2026 Peace Pilgrim Celebration filled the hearts of dozens of Friends old and new who came together on Saturday, July 18, at Peace Pilgrim Park in Egg Harbor City, NJ, for the annual Peace Pilgrim birthday gathering.

Attendees arrived to the beauty of a flower mandala peace sign lovingly designed by Helen Plourde-Mcsweeny Ribas under the towering boughs in the Park’s pine grove. The morning began with yoga followed by a One-Mile Silent Mindful Walk through the lush wooded neighborhood adjacent to the park. Drawing on Peace Pilgrim’s inspiration, long-time Friends of Peace Pilgrim (FoPP) board member Bruce NIchols said, “We can cultivate peace in our footsteps. Every step can be a step of peace.”

A sound bath with crystal bowls and chimes created the perfect bridge to the group’s gathering under the pines around the mandala. Peace’s energy infused the circle as it filled with songs (including a wonderful duet by Bruce and Emily Turin), individuals sharing their gratitude for Peace, and a joyful 10-minute recording of Peace Pilgrim from one of many of her vintage interviews.

Although the forecast had been for thunderous storms, and indeed a shower watered everything before the celebration’s start, it turned into a lovely morning, which many attributed to the spirit of Peace Pilgrim and her late sister, Helene Young, who was a sparkling presence at all these events before her passing in 2021 just shy of her 106th birthday.

Bruce held a moment of silence for late FoPP board member Richard Polese and explained Richard’s role in the publication of Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words, as well as the birth of Friends of Peace Pilgrim after her death in 1981.

“Peace Pilgrim may have transitioned to a freer life, but her pilgrimage has not ended.” he said. “Thanks to all of you and everyone who carries her message, the pilgrimage for peace continues.”

For more info or questions: contact FoPP Board Member Barbara Reynolds (email barbreynolds123@gmail.com or call/text ‭(609) 992-2294‬.

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THINGS TO DO IN THE EGG HARBOR CITY AREA

As you make your plans for our celebration, you may want to extend your stay in or near beautiful Egg Harbor City. Here are some ideas and activities in the area: