2024 Order of Malta, US Associations 11th Annual

Our Lady of Champion Pilgrimage

Approved Marian Pilgrimage
Thursday, August 8th– Sunday, August 10th
Champion, Wisconsin

The American, Federal, and Western Associations invite you to participate in the 11th Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin from Thursday, August 8th until Saturday evening, August 10th, 2024. All Knights, Dames, Chaplains, Auxiliary Members, Associate Members, Year of Formation Candidates, and their families are encouraged to join us this summer.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is the site of the only Marian apparition in the United States approved by the Catholic Church. In 2010, Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay, declared the Apparition as worthy of belief. In 2016, the USCCB designated the grounds as a National Shrine. Bishop Ricken is a Conventual Chaplain in the Order and serves as Chaplain for the Northeast Wisconsin Area.

If you have never been to Lourdes, this is a unique opportunity to share in the experience of a Marian Shrine pilgrimage and to encounter the love of the Blessed Mother and her Son, Jesus. If you have been to Lourdes, you will find the experience in Wisconsin to be a uniquely distinct encounter with Our Blessed Mother and Her Son, Jesus.

This beautiful, peaceful, and holy place provides every pilgrim the opportunity for spiritual renewal and healing. It is ideal for families and multi-generational groups, and for people who, because of age or physical conditions, may be unable to endure a more strenuous pilgrimage like Lourdes. The travel is shorter, the transportation from place to place is by bus, and it is in the summer when many schools are not in session.

Members of the Order may sponsor a sick or handicapped person to be considered as a potential Special Pilgrim. There will be no special program for young pilgrims – they will accompany their family throughout the Pilgrimage.

Schedule of Events

Click here to download the tentative pilgrimage schedule.

Registration

The registration fee for adults will be $500 per person to cover the costs of meals (Thursday evening dinner and lunches and dinners on Friday and Saturday), bus transportation to the Shrine and back each day, stipends to cover donations to the Shrine, the clergy and musicians, and miscellaneous pilgrimage expenses. The reduced fee for children age 2 to 17 is $200 per person. Pilgrims under the age of 2, Chaplains, Special Pilgrims, and their Caregivers are free and do not need to submit a registration fee.

Members must be current with their Annual Contributions in order to register for the Pilgrimage.

Click here to register.

Click here to submit your registration fee.

To receive a refund, cancellations must be sent by email on or before Monday, June 17, 2024. This policy will be applied according to the email date on the notice of cancellation. If you cancel your registration, you are responsible for canceling your own transportation arrangements and hotel reservations.

Hotel Reservations

Pilgrims (except Chaplains, Special Pilgrims, and Caregivers) are financially responsible to make their own hotel reservations at the Hyatt Hotel – Green Bay, WI (333 Main St) at the negotiated rate below which includes breakfast for up to two people and parking.

Single/Double Rate: $108 per night + tax

Triple Rate: $133 per night + tax

Quad Rate (up to six people): $158 per night + tax

Most pilgrims will require three nights’ stay. Space is limited and is expected to be sold out. All pilgrims should make reservations at the hotel as soon as they receive notification that their registration has been accepted by the Association. The cutoff date to reserve a room is July 16, 2024. Information on how to make hotel reservations at the Hyatt will be included in the acceptance email.

If you cancel your registration, you are responsible for canceling your own hotel reservations. Hotel room reservation cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to 3:00PM CST the day of arrival, or first night’s room and tax will be charged.

Travel Arrangements

All Pilgrims (Knights, Dames, Chaplains, Affiliates, Volunteers, Special Pilgrims, Caregivers, and family) are financially responsible to make their own travel arrangements to and from Green Bay, Wisconsin. If you cancel your registration, you are responsible for canceling your own transportation arrangements.

Sponsor a Special Pilgrim

Members of the Order may sponsor a sick or handicapped person to be considered as a potential Special Pilgrim. Members should not invite anyone; each candidate will be evaluated by the Special Pilgrim Selection Committee. All proposed candidates must be ambulatory. If you sponsor a Special Pilgrim, you are expected to attend the Pilgrimage. If the candidate is approved, the Association will cover the registration fee and hotel stay for each Special Pilgrim and their Caregiver.

Click here to propose a Special Pilgrim for consideration for this pilgrimage.

Uniform Requirements for All Pilgrims

Click here to view the uniform requirements for this pilgrimage.

Important Notes

• The pilgrimage is available to members in good standing (current with their Annual Contribution).
• The Registration Fee covers receptions, meals (except breakfasts), bus transportation, honorariums, and miscellaneous materials.
• All pilgrims must make their own travel arrangements to and from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
• All pilgrims must make and pay for their own hotel reservations at the Hyatt – Green Bay as soon as they receive notification of their acceptance. Breakfast for up to two people and parking is included with hotel reservations.
• A valid ID is required for the pilgrimage.
• All adults (18 years of age and older) are required to have completed the Safe Environment Program or VIRTUS Training. This includes family members and Special Pilgrims.
• All Knights and Dames should bring their robes/capes.
• A uniform is required to participate on the Pilgrimage. See above for uniform requirements.