Pilgrim Story: Memphis to Champion

Jan Courtney looked up at the gold and turquoise domed ceiling of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wisconsin. The shrine’s immense beauty left her in silence until she found the right words to describe what she was seeing: “This is heaven.”  

Courtney’s presence at the Guadalupe shrine was part of a cross-country pilgrimage during the July and August of the Jubilee Year of Hope. Courtney and 3 companions, Glenna Bradshaw, Gail Handwerker Grauer, and Cindy Speros Pease, traveled to 6 pilgrimage sites, hundreds of miles north of their homes in Memphis, TN. 

Months earlier, the same group traveled together to Hanceville, Alabama, for the 150th anniversary of the shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in December. 

“We all love the lord and love the church,” said Glenna Bradshaw, “Last summer I had done a similar pilgrimage up north. Even though we are all very different, we just started talking about going on pilgrimage as a group.” 

They began planning their summer pilgrimage in February with their sights set on the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the only U.S.-approved apparition site in the U.S. 

“I had never heard that there was an approved apparition of Mary in the United States,” said Gail Grauer. “So that was on the list, and the rest just fell into place. For me the best part was the beautiful churches and shrines. No matter where you go, the Mass is always the same, and we could kneel and receive at an alter rail.”

In preparation for their journey, they all agreed to read "By a Different Way: A Catholic Guide to Pilgrim Spirituality" by Rev. Clinton Sensat. They also prayed 100 Memorarees specifically for protection on the trip.

The pilgrims left Memphis on July 31st. Their first stop was the Beautiful National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville MO. They continued north until they arrived in Peoria, IL, the hometown of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. They were able to pray at his tomb, which is located in the side chapel of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. 

Their next stop was the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, WI, followed by the National Shrine of St. Joseph in De Pere, WI. At each stop they carried with them intentions collected from friends and family.

“We each reached out on our social media for prayer requests,” said Grauer. “It was overwhelming to see the suffering that so many people are going through in their families. And we were blessed to be able to bring those to the shrines. And it is very trusting and believing to leave those at the altars.”

At long last, the group finally made it to the Champion August 2nd. They had prepared for this particular visit by reading about the Seer Adele Brice before the trip. 

“We did not walk in without knowing the emensity of what we were about to experience,” said Bradshaw. 

Everywhere we met people who were nice and kind,” said Pease. “It was a really powerful experience of how the world can be.”

In addition to praying for the intentions they carried, the group venerated the relics of Padre Pio. They touched many rosaries and medals up to the relic for their friends back home. 

They were also able to benefit from the sacraments, which was a very moving experience. 

“Lately I have been struggling with my dependency on other people,” said Gail. “At Champion I told the priest I was struggling with the root of bitterness. The first thing he said was, ‘Meditate on the 5th station. If Jesus was able to accept help, so are you.’” 

After Champion, they traveled northwest to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse. The shrine was established under the guidance of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, whom the group had briefly met in at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament event in Alabama. 

“It was such a beautiful environment,” said Courtney. “I love the story about the generosity of the couple who donated the land. It was so beautiful, so peaceful. You walk in and see all your favorite saints you have been praying to. You see all these beautiful families with so many little ones. I continually think of its beauty and peacefulness, and cannot wait to return. 

Nearing the end of their trip, the group decided to take a slight detour and stay with family in Iowa instead of going to a hotel. It turned into their final Shrine stop in a way. One of the family members built a grotto to Mary in the backyard when he was 18 back in 1962.

"We call it our 7th Shrine," said Courtney. 7th was when we visited family members. These good people made a big impression on me. I may never pass their way again, but in the short time I was with them, they showed the importance of family in an ever-changing, chaotic world."

Looking back on their pilgrimage, they can not help but be in awe of everything they experienced and the spiritual fruits of their journey.

“When I was growing up, pilgrimage was one of those things that was nice but not necessary,” said Courtney.  “I’m glad to see that the USCCB is aware of it and supporting it. I think it is something that deserves more attention. It makes me happy to see such vibrant faith.”