During the weekend of September 20–21, a group of 43 students and staff from FGR embarked on a deeply spiritual journey, a Jubilee Pilgrimage to several sacred sites. Carrying the prayer intentions of the entire FGR community, the group set out not only to explore these holy destinations but also to deepen their faith and strengthen their connection to God and each other. The pilgrimage included visits to several sacred sites: the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Holy Hill and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Our Lady of Champion, and the Sacred Heart Basilica at the University of Notre Dame. Each location offered opportunities for reflection, prayer, and a deeper encounter with the presence of God.
Faculty and staff who journeyed with the students were Terese Gibb, Rinju Chenet, Fr. Vinton, Veva Lashaway, Janie Herrera, and Joe Fitzgerald ’17, whose leadership, planning, and commitment to fostering a meaningful pilgrimage experience for our students is deeply valued.
Throughout the pilgrimage, Fr. Vinton provided spiritual guidance, leading the group in the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and various reflections. He also concelebrated Mass at both Our Lady of Champion and the St. Maximilian Kolbe Shrine. Highlights of the trip included the opportunity to venerate a first-class relic of St. Matthew and a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis at Notre Dame, whose reliquary contains more than 600 relics of the Saints. These experiences left a lasting impression on our students, inspiring them to grow in faith and hope.
The students themselves offered moving reflections on the pilgrimage:
- “The thing that inspired me the most on the pilgrimage was when we went to the University of Notre Dame, and in the cathedral was a relic room with hundreds of saints represented. This inspired me because if they were normal people who fought and stood up for their faith, maybe there is also a chance, through the Lord’s mercy, that I could see my Lord in eternal life.”
- “I saw God on this pilgrimage in the beauty of the churches and the incredible vastness of His creation from the top of Holy Hill. It is so beautiful to see the glory of God and the great detail He puts into the world.”
This inaugural FGR pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion was a profound celebration of faith, fellowship, and renewal. We pray that the graces received during this journey will continue to inspire our students in their spiritual lives.
As Mr. Fitzgerald reflected: “It was a unique opportunity to be able to participate in a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion as well as the other sites. It being one of our 4 Houses was special for me because when we were selecting Apparitions for our House names, we specifically chose Champion with the end goal of making an official pilgrimage there. This was a culmination of over 4 years of work, thoughts and planning and I was so happy to have been a part of the inaugural one. I look forward to making this a regular occurrence here at FGR.”
Another faculty member, Mr. Cerebona, shared: “It was incredible to journey together sharing our faith with one another on this pilgrimage! I was inspired by our students’ engagement and willingness to give their weekend to God for prayer and renewal. I heard from students their recommitment to their faith and a zeal that came about from visiting these holy sites, relics of the saints, and the apparition site of Our Lady! Our Blessed Mother was truly with us in a special way reminding us the power of hope and prayer. I came back to FGR feeling God’s peace and a spirit of hope within my own life. It was a journey abounding in thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in my life! I have had a strong devotion to Our Lady and it was incredible to visit these holy sites that honor her!”
Our Lady of Champion, pray for us!