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Welcome to Wisconsin! Thursday was the first day of the 2023 Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. Formerly known as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, this shrine is the site of the only Marian apparition in the United Stated approved by the Catholic Church. The year 2023 marks ten years of the Order of Malta traveling to this unique, holy place.
After several connecting flights and road trips from all corners of the country to the Hyatt in Green Bay, Pilgrims attended the first event of the pilgrimage— a presentation on “Human Trafficking and the Tri-Association Response”, hosted by Deb O’Hara-Rusckowski, American Association Dame, Fr. Jeffrey Bayhi, and Fr. Charles Swanson, associate of Fr. Bayhi. Fr. Bayhi founded Metanoia Manor in 2018, a faith-based residential facility, as a place of refuge to female adolescent victims of human trafficking. The Anti-Human Trafficking Ministry is an American Association initiative in conjunction with the Federal and Western Associations, seeking to serve our lords, the sick and the poor.
Following this insightful presentation, pilgrims braved a quick rain shower and made their way over to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral for the Pilgrimage’s Opening Mass, led by the Western Association, with celebrant Rev. John Girotti, ChM. At Mass, the rain broke and the sun shone through the stained glass windows of the Cathedral. After Mass, we gathered in the hotel ballroom for our opening dinner. We were welcomed by Bob Kilmartin, Western Association Knight and US Association Pilgrimage Chair. Fr. Girotti followed with grace and Fr. Joseph Aytona, Rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, spoke about different ways to enhance the spiritual benefits of the pilgrimage.
The Grand Master Frá John Dunlap was invited to the podium and, on behalf of the Order of Malta, accepted a plaque that contained relics of the two trees between which the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele. We are so grateful to have our Grand Master join us for a second pilgrimage in the first few months of his new role.
The evening concluded with the distribution of medals for first time pilgrims and Night Prayer led by the Western Association. Pilgrims left the dinner looking forward to Friday and a full day of activities at the Shrine, St. Joseph’s, and the Rock Garden Restaurant.
In the words of Fr. Girotti, "it is good that we are here".
Until tomorrow…
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