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Schedule
Afternoon American Airlines non-stop flight on October 5, 2022 from Los Angeles to Chicago O'Hare
One night at Chicago O'Hare Airport
Two nights in La Crosse
Two nights in Green Bay
Two nights in Milwaukee
Morning American non-stop flight from Chicago O'Hare to Los Angeles.
Come to the great state of Wisconsin, Mary’s country, on a pilgrimage anchored around three Marian shrines as well as the Great Lakes cities of La Crosse, Green Bay and the “Cream City” of Milwaukee. From a new world-class shrine nestled in the bluffs, to America’s only approved Marian Apparition site and finally to an “otherworldly” hilltop basilica, Wisconsin is home to three Marian shrines! Everyone of us has questions about our Faith and these shrines offer the answers! As it is the mission of Carmel to accompany pilgrims to encounter God’s healing mercy and love, come enjoy mid-western hospitality, spectacular scenery, magnificent church architecture and Marian devotion on this journey of thanksgiving to America’s hidden inheritance!
PILGRIMAGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Our Lady of Good Hope; the only Vatican approved U.S. Marian apparition site. Take part in the 151st anniversary of the apparitions as well as the 141st anniversary of the Peshtigo Fire Rosary Miracle
New Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe; an architectural gem, commissioned by His Eminence, Raymond. L Burke and designed by America’s Classical Church-Architect, Duncan Stroik
Holy Hill;“otherworldly” hilltop sanctuary, cared for by Carmelite Fathers since 1906
Great River cities;La Crosse Green Bay & Milwaukee
Authentic Paddlewheel ride on Old Mississippi
Nat’l. Shrine of St. Joseph
Shrine of St. Philomena
St. Joan of Arc Chapel at MarquettePeak Autumn foliage
Traveling with Fr. Raymond Bueno, O.C.D.
Daily itinerary
Day 1 – Wednesday, October 5, 2022 – Late-morning departure from LAX on a non-stop flight to Chicago. Early evening arrival at a nearby airport hotel for check-in and overnight.
Day 2 – Thursday, October 6, 2022 – Today we travel northwest to Wisconsin’s western border city of La Crosse. The beauty of our first destination will take your breath away; the new Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, nestled among trees on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. Dedicated to the Patroness of the Americas, this shrine was the inspiration of His Excellency Raymond L. Burke, former Bishop of La Crosse. Being a rare example of New Classical Architecture, it was designed by the award winning church-architect, Duncan Stroik. Along with the magnificent church with an extraordinary Italianate interior there are also many beautiful chapels and gardens. Over five-thousand visitors are welcomed annually. With First-Class Relics of Miguel Pro, Maria Goretti, Faustina Kowalska and Gianna Beretta Molla, the Vatican has granted that one can receive the same spiritual benefits by making a traditional pilgrimage here, in place of the Mexico City Shrine. Check-in at our hotel in La Crosse for two nights.
Day 3 – Friday, October 7, 2022 – A day in the water paradise of La Crosse! Embark on the La Crosse Queen, a modern-day replica of the grand river boats that plied the Mississippi in the early 1900s. Learn the history and trivia of “Old Man River”, the longest in the US! Spot eagles and other wildlife as we pass by steep bluffs along the Great River Road, designated as one of America’s most scenic sights. Stop at Maria Angelorum Chapel, a Romanesque jewel with Perpetual Adoration for over a century. Afternoon return to the Guadalupe Shrine for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!
Day 4 – Saturday, October 7, 2022 – Morning departure across the plains of Wisconsin for the eastern bor- der city of Green Bay, situated on a peninsula of Lake Michigan. En-route stop at an outdoor Shrine of St. Philomena, dedicated to the beautiful Greek princess who became a Virgin-Martyr, known to be “Powerful with God”. Afternoon arrival and panoramic city tour with a visit to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, modeled in the Bavarian style (late 19th Century) and financed in part by the Bavarian King. See exquisite newly renovated century-old murals depicting scenes from the life of Francis Xavier and the Crucifixion!Learnof the city’s fascinating history dating back to the 1600’s when successful entrepreneurs plied the area’s waterways for trade. Today the city is most famous for its XIII time world-champion football team, the Packers, whose legendary coach, Vince Lombardi, was a devout Catholic! Visit the original location of Relevant Radio, whose studios have broadcast the Faith since 2000 with an audience of over 200 million worldwide. Two nights in Green Bay.
Day 5 – A day at the Nat’l. Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion where a first in American history took place:a Marian apparition on our very own soil! This shrine honours the appearances of Our Lady to 29 year-old Adele Brise, a Belgian immigrant nun, in 1859, a year after the Lourdes apparitions. Upon walking home from Holy Mass she received a visit from a lady in dazzling white with a crown of stars, who spoke to her, saying; “Iam the Queen of Heaven”, instructing her to teach the faith to the children “of this wild country”, promising help in the mission. Although Adele faced much opposition within the Church, she persevered and other young women joined her in going from house to house on foot up and down the peninsula, often in cold and damp weather.Over time a shrine and school developed at the apparition site. In 1869 the shrine miraculously survived one of the deadliest forest fires in US history, when Adele and the local faithful formed a Rosary Procession around the grounds begging Mary’s protection. No sooner did rain begin to pour in torrents, putting out the flames and sparing the shrine to this day! Take part in a Eucharistic Rosary Procession marking not only the apparitions 151st anniversary but also the anniversary of the Peshtigo Fire Miracle!
Day 6 – On to Milwaukee with a stop in De Pere at the Nat’l Shrine of St. Joseph! Afternoon arrival in Milwaukee, “a great city on a great lake”(with a great Catholic heritage)! Many Polish immigrants flocked here in the 19th Century; thus the reason for the many splendid churches, including the Basilica of St. Josephat (America’s St. Peter’s)! Another of the city’s jewels is the Chapel of St. Joan of Arc; an original 15th Century French chapel, now on Marquette University’s Campus. It is the oldest stone structure in the Western Hemisphere, only because it was dismantled and brought here from the Rhone River Valley! It is believed that St. Joan prayed here before leading her troops to battle in the 100 Years War! Two evenings in historic downtown Milwaukee!
Day 7-A day at the Carmelite-run Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, “Holy Hill”, majestically set atop a glacial hill at the highest elevation in SE WI. The great 17th Century missionary, Pere Marquette, S.J., was the first to make an altar here and offer Holy Mass and today over 300,000 come annually. Evening Farewell Dinner!
Day 8 – Morning departure for Chicago O’Hare Airport for our flight home to Los Angeles. Afternoon arrival in LA.