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These photos were taken by Peter Scudner, KM, Federal Association, as a gift for the personal use of the Special Pilgrims, Companions, Knights and Dames, and other pilgrims. You may download or share the photos for free. There is also a Buy button you may ignore. The Buy button transacts with Smugmug as a convenient way to order prints. You do not have to buy any photo to download it or to share it. You can also click here to view a second photo gallery with photos taken by American Association Staff.
We were up bright and early for breakfast yesterday morning to fuel us for a full day of spiritual activities at two holy places. Pilgrims boarded the buses and departed for the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. Praying along the way helped us set the tone for a day of spiritual enrichment.
If you’ve never been to the Shrine before, be sure to check out our photo gallery linked above, as it is a truly beautiful and peaceful holy place. The Shrine is nestled between two dairy farms and is surrounded by corn fields. The stillness of this quaint location is breathtaking, as it provides the perfect setting for spiritual renewal and healing for all who visit.
Mass was led to a full church by the Federal Association in the Apparition Chapel with celebrant Fr. Richard Mullins, ChC. Following Mass, Pilgrims were welcomed to attend Confessions before lunch. The mild weather provided the perfect opportunity for pilgrims to walk the grounds of the Shrine.
We then headed over to the National Shrine of St. Joseph for Adoration, Confessions, a reflection by Fr. Augustine Puchner, of the Western Association, and the Anointing of the Sick, which was very moving. This signature stop on the pilgrimage offers everyone a second reflective setting to be with God. Fr. Puchner is serving as the Chaplain Coordinator for this year's pilgrimage; there have been many comments about how great the Chaplains have been so far.
Pilgrims ended the day at the Rock Garden Supper Club. We started dinner by singing, "Happy Birthday" to Fr. Augustine Puchner. While enjoying dinner, we listened to an update on the Medical Bureau and Hospitality Center by Joe Sanders, KM, of the Western Association. The Medical Bureau mirrors the one in Lourdes, which is charged with investigating the potential miracles that have and may occur at the Shrine. Joe also indicated that the Medical Bureau will be involved in the potential canonization of Adele Brise.
Dinner concluded with a Night Prayer led by the Federal Association before we headed back to the hotel to rest for the third and final day of this year’s pilgrimage.
Until tomorrow…
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