In celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope, two busloads of Diocese of Gaylord pilgrims joined 7,300 other faithful from around the world for the 2025 Walk to Mary at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin — the first and only-approved apparition site in the U.S.
Pilgrims walked between two and 14 miles to spiritually prepare themselves for the destination — the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, where the Blessed Mother appeared to Adele Brise, asking her to teach children their faith and prayer for the conversion of sinners. Other pilgrims found solace in praying in the Apparition Oratory, adoring Christ in the Adoration Chapel, meditating on the shrine’s outdoor Stations of the Cross or celebrating at a Holy Mass.
Through the Blessed Mother, pilgrims had the opportunity to deepen their faith and embrace a renewed hope in God's love. Here are two stories from diocesan pilgrims of how our Blessed Mother was a source of comfort and strength.
Leona Pease, Holy Cross, Beaver Island
In preparing my heart for the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 pilgrimage Walk to Mary, I asked myself, “Why am I here?”
My answer came in an unexpected way at 4 a.m. on the day of the walk.
I had a whole list of prayers for others and myself to bring to Mary for her intercession. From prayers for physical healing to healing of broken hearts and a few BIG and seemingly impossible prayers that I wanted to lay down at the feet of Jesus, in complete surrender.
At 4 a.m., I picked up my phone and looked at social media for a moment. The first two messages I saw were heartbreaking news — a friend being put on hospice care, then a message informing me my oldest sister was also put in hospice. My already heavy heart became even heavier, and the silent tears began to fall.
In perfect timing, the very next message was a quote from Dr. Edward Sri posted by a Facebook friend: “Just as Mary at Cana noticed the family’s needs before anyone else did, so Mary in heaven continues to notice our needs before we do. And just as Mary at Cana brought those needs to Christ, so does she continue to bring our needs to her Son through her intercession for us.”
I realized I was called by Mary to be here, at this very hour. Mary loves us so much that she stands beside us and leads us to her beloved Son, Jesus, who sees what we need, before we need it, and makes a way.
I was in awe at the realization that over 7,000 people gathered for the Walk to Mary pilgrimage. Each person brought their hearts, full of intentions, worries and anxieties to offer them up together at Mass, under the intercession of our Blessed Mother, all the angels and saints, with the Holy Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to God our Father. Mary knew…and we all answered her call to be present on this very day…and this time.
I experienced joy in everyone there. We were truly one big family, and it filled my heart with peace, love and, especially, hope. Something I didn’t know I needed; but Mary did. And, just as she told Adele, “Do not be afraid, I will help you,” she is there to help us as well.
Deacon John Amthor, St. Mary Cathedral, summer resident
My wife Kimberly and I have been going through some trying times in the past year. Last January, we signed up for the pilgrimage at the encouragement of our good friends Connie and Brooker of St. Mary Cathedral. Since then, we decided to finally move to our home in Gaylord to heal and start a new life of retirement. Satan, doing what he does, tempted us a few times to cancel the pilgrimage, given we are in the chaotic process of moving. But, looking back, we can see God had a plan for the pilgrimage to be our springboard for our new life.
My friend Brooker and I were walking the 1.7-mile route. His wife, Connie, was taking the 14-mile walk, while Kimberly decided to go into the Adoration Chapel to read a book and spend quiet time with Jesus.
Early on the route, when Brooker and I were walking down a small hill on the dirt road, I suddenly noticed an elderly lady with a cane struggling to go down the hill alone. She could not move her cane fast enough and was in danger of falling. I quickly stepped over and held out my arm. She took hold of it and she regained her balance. Our encounter did not end there.
This lady was a little unsteady on her feet, so I offered her my arm for the rest of the way.
She told me she lived with her daughter in Illinois. Her daughter was on the 14-mile walk, so she decided to try the 1.7. She looked about 80 years old, friendly and with a warm smile.
We talked about many things as we walked — her husband who passed away suddenly, fond memories of the places they traveled, children and grandchildren, life’s joys and sorrows, happiness and grief and healing from hurts, setbacks and sufferings.
After a few short breaks, we finished the walk at the back of the pack. She asked if it was OK to pray for me. I said, “Yes!” and offered to do the same for her.
Brooker and I went to find our wives. I wanted Kimberly to meet this lady. But the lady disappeared in the crowd, leaving me to wonder, Who was this mysterious woman dressed in white that appeared out of thin air then vanished without a trace? Was this lady an angel sent by God to walk with me? Or was she just a random pilgrim from Illinois who offered me 1.7 miles of wisdom about life?
