Knights, Dames, Auxiliary, and Associates traveled from the New York City Area to participate in the 12th Annual Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. This year’s theme was “Pilgrimages of Hope” being that the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion was designated as a site for the Jubilee Year of Hope. The site is also the only Marian Apparition in the United States approved by the Catholic Church.
The Wisconsin Pilgrimage is unique in that members from the American, Federal, and Western Associations as well as their guests gather to go on pilgrimage and explore different parts of Wisconsin while encountering the Holy Family and the peace and hope that Our Lady of Champion gives us.
Some of the main topics that were discussed on pilgrimage were what is “Hospitaller Spirituality” and what does it mean to have hope when caring for the sick and the poor.
During the pilgrimage, there were several opportunities to pray together as a group. It was wonderful to see all three Associations coming together to be united in prayer.
We also had chaplains from the different Associations of the Order who gave us their reflections of hope. We were reminded how Adel Brice had hope in the Blessed Mother’s message to teach the children the faith, to not be afraid to spread the Gospel to others, and to pray for the conversion of sinners. We were reminded how St. Joseph is a model of hope in how he trusted in God’s message while protecting Mary and Jesus during difficult times.
Thursday, we started the pilgrimage by having a talk by Dr. Daniel Gullo who is director of the Order of Malta Study Center. He emphasized the importance of the history of the Order of Malta and their work with the sick and the poor. He talked about how preserving this rich history gives him hope in the charism of the Order that has continued for over 900 years. We then walked to mass at St. Francis Cathedral. The mass was led by Bishop David Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay. Bishop Ricken reminded us of the importance of hope and how Adel Brice never gave up in defending the faith.
Friday, we traveled to Champion, WI to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion and to experience a beautiful mass at the Apparition Chapel. We enjoyed some fellowship, and reflective talks at the Shrine. We then traveled to De Pere, WI to the National Shrine to St. Joseph at St. Norbert College. There we had some silent time to reflect and adore our Lord in Adoration. We also got a chance to walk around the Shrine during the Eucharist Procession and to meditate on the beauty around us. Afterwards we prayed at the Shrine of St. Joseph.
Friday night our group gathered in fellowship to experience some Wisconsin local cuisine and drink. We also explored the different ministries that the American, Federal, and Western Associations had to offer at an information fair they put on.
Saturday, we traveled back to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion to participate in a Rosary procession around the grounds and to attend a healing mass for the sick. Many of us gathered to do the Stations of the Cross, pray at Adel Brice’s grave, and to leave prayer petitions at the Apparition Oratory.
Before we left the Shrine, we all participated in a Vigil Mass. We then went back to Green Bay to partake in a farewell dinner with the hope of renewed spiritual growth in the daily work that we do as members of the Order of Malta and to be strengthened by Our Lady of Champion’s message of “Do not fear, I will help you”.
