These groups often recite the rosary or sing hymns during the journey and novices are quickly initiated into the legends and customs of the shrine by more experienced pilgrims. This is hard to answer, and it is, of course, awkward to interview pilgrims and ask them directly why it is important to perform well. Probably the most important reason is that the pilgrim who has journeyed ad liminam is very conscious of being in a holy place and is thus anxious to be on his or her best religious behavior. For example, the Stations of the Cross must not be interrupted for more than a few moments, except to say confession or hear Mass. However, if one is not able to finish the Stations, one may receive a partial indulgence for each station which was completed.
Some pilgrims are also very conscious of their audience.
At Beaupre prayers are constantly offered for the sick. Pilgrims who are bedridden or confined to wheelchairs are lined up between the first rows of pews and the altar rail during services and are very conspicuously in view of the congregation. These pilgrims are also placed in the roped-off center of the church square, anointed, and blessed by the archbishop with the Sacrament during the blessing of the sick, which is the high point of the feast of St. Anne. Many visitors to the shrine attend the rosary devotions held in the grounds of the basilica each day during the novena before the feast for the handicapped pilgrims of the Ahearn Pilgrimage. Because so much attention is focused on them, it is natural that the pilgrims want to make a good impression.