Pilgrims from all three United States Associations of the Order of Malta joined together in early August for the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in a small town outside Green Bay, WI. This was the 11^th annual pilgrimage to the Shrine site, the 8^th for the Western Association.

The year the pilgrimage took on a retreat format around the theme “Renewal Thru the Eucharist.” The theme was chosen to coincide with the National Eucharistic Revival organized by the USCCB. The chaplains, two from each Association, presented reflections on aspects of the theme over the course of the three-day retreat gathering. In addition, the theme was woven throughout the daily Mass homilies.

The pilgrims spent a portion of the time at the pilgrimage headquarters hotel, the Hyatt in downtown Green Bay, a portion at the Shrine grounds in Champion, and a portion at the site of the National Shrine of St. Joseph at St. Norbert’s College in De Pere, WI. Buses provided transportation. Morning prayer was recited on the buses.

At both the Headquarters hotel and at the Shrine grounds in Champion, we were blessed to be able to venerate relics of St. Padre Pio. The relics were provided by the National Center for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania.

The opening Mass of the pilgrimage on Thursday was celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in downtown Green Bay, a short walk from the hotel, by the Bishop of Green Bay, Bishop David Ricken. He is a good friend of the Order of Malta. Bishop Ricken had led the effort in 2010 to investigate and then deem the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Adele Brise as being worthy of belief. The Blessed Mother had told Adele to educate the children in the area around Champion and teach them what they need to know for their sacraments. She encouraged Adele to “Go and fear nothing, I will help you.” This is a good message for all of us.

Friday morning’s Mass was celebrated in the Apparition Chapel at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, followed by confessions, a reflection by one of the chaplains, and lunch. This year on Friday afternoon we visited the National Shrine of St. Joseph at St. Norbert’s College. Our time there began with a Eucharistic procession through the beautiful campus, led by our own chaplain, Fr. Augustine Puchner. This was followed by a Eucharistic healing service, processing with Our Lord in the monstrance, the Litany of St Joseph, benediction, and concluding with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Saturday morning began at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion with a Rosary procession around the beautiful grounds, followed by Mass and Anointing of the Sick. At each of the pilgrimage Masses we were accompanied by a beautiful choir presented by members of the Chicago Area. After lunch, there was time to visit the Apparition Oratory, the Museum, or to just walk and pray on the grounds. We were blessed with beautiful weather for all the days of the pilgrimage. We concluded our day there with an afternoon reflection followed by a Vigil mass for those traveling on Sunday.

Each night of the pilgrimage there was a social and dinner in the ballroom of the hotel. Members of the three Associations had time to socialize and meet each other, a special benefit of this retreat, making this a truly Tri-Association event. We were joined this year by Fra’ Nikola Tegoni, Wayne Ruth, President of the Federal Association, and Michael Grace, member of the Sovereign Council.

Please join us next year for the pilgrimage retreat on August 7^th through 9^th, 2025.

Bob Kilmartin, Lead Pilgrimage Director

Joseph Sanders, Western Association Pilgrimage Director

Fr. Augustine Puchner, Head Pilgrimage Chaplain

Michelle Navarro, Pilgrimage Coordinator