Excitement is brewing as Notre Dame makes final preparations for the university's 175th anniversary, and you can be a part of history. The celebration includes a two-week walk -- all the way from southern Indiana to the campus -- known as the Notre Dame Trail.

The journey starts on Sunday, August 13, and runs through August 26th; and while it won’t be the exact path, it re-traces the steps that Father Edward Sorin and his Holy Cross Brothers took in 1842, from Vincennes to Notre Dame.

“We will travel those miles in a collective renewal of our determination, to rededicate ourselves to Notre Dame’s mission to seek God, study the world, and serve humanity – to boldly lead the way into new chapters of our story,” says the Notre Dame Trail website.

Notre Dame Trail Senior Director, Katherine Lane, brought a special walking stick to our studios on Wednesday; something special that will be given to all of the pilgrims that walk the entire trail. They will also be handing out 175th anniversary Marian medals to trail-goers on the last day of the walk.

“You can sign up for a five-day package, three-day package or one day package, and most will do the final 3 miles,” said Lou Nanni, Vice President of University Relations. “I think it will be a really spiritual and joyful journey.”

On the eve of the final leg of the journey, Lane said the Pilgrims will select a walking stick hand-carved by Chopper, an artist based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

"It was wonderful that I met Chopper because he was such an artist, and he really believed in the mission of the (university) and wanted to bring these sticks to life," said Lane.

Chopper said he inscribed Biblical Scripture and quotes from Father Sorin's biography onto the walking sticks.

"No cane is perfect because every cane has character. And there’s character in every cane that I’ve made, and there’s character in everything else," he said while maintaining that no cane comes from wood chopped from "live trees."

Lane emphasized the canes symbolize the might of the dozens of sojourning Pilgrims.

"I think these walking sticks also resemble determination," she said. "Father Sorin was determined. These 32 Pilgrims who are walking the whole way are going to have ups and downs on this journey."

On the final day of the Notre Dame Trail, the public is encouraged to celebrate with the university.

"We hope that they do so,” Lane said. “In addition to the final walk, there will be a Mass at 11:30 a.m. and then a celebratory picnic immediately following on all of South Quad open to families – games, live entertainment -- a lot of fun.”

to take a look at the itinerary for the Notre Dame Trail and find links to register. Be sure to tune in to WNDU for complete Notre Dame Trail coverage.