The pilgrims are making progress.

About 130 travelers, bound for Europe next month on a Marian pilgrimage organized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, gathered this evening at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Monroe for prayer, dinner, and to receive tour information.

“It will be the experience of a lifetime,” a traveler at one dinner table exclaimed. 

The pilgrimage to Marian Shrines in Spain, France, and Portugal will take place Sept. 24-Oct. 5. Visits include Fatima, where Our Lady appeared to three Portuguese children 100 years ago, as well as to holy places in Barcelona, Montserrat, Lourdes, Zaragoza, Avila, Salamanca, and Lisbon. The trip is being facilitated by George’s International Tours.

Also on hand this evening were pilgrimage spiritual directors, among them Bishop Joe Binzer, Father David Brinkmoeller, Father Tim Ralston, and Father Thomas Wray. After dinner, travelers’ questions were fielded by Michael Vanderburgh,  archdiocese chief development officer and Stewardship Department director.

For those who aren’t going: Remember you still can participate spiritually in the pilgrimage by submitting prayer requests that will be taken to these holy places. (See Bishop Binzer’s invitation for your intentions.)

You’re also invited to join next year’s Archdiocese-organized pilgrimage to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria, Sept. 18-30. Registrations open in November, and details are here.

Please pray that our pilgrims enjoy a safe and fruitful journey!