Monday, July 20
(Feast of the Prophet Elijah)
Guadalupe Shrine to Tunnel Trail Campground
56 miles
On Day 1, we begin the pilgrimage at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadelupe, just outside of La Crosse, WI. The address is 5250 Justin Road, Lacrosse, WI 54601. After the 8:30 a.m. Mass, we will walk a short distance to the Shrine’s Memorial to the Unborn and review our prayer intention’s for the day, focusing on the undermining of human dignity by abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and a culutre of contraception. We will then ride through the city of LaCrosse on the way to the Lacrosse River Trailhead, stopping at Riverside Park in downtown Lacrosse, right on the Mississippi River, to ensure that the pilgrimage traverses the entire state, from the river to Lake Michigan. From the LaCrosse Trailhead to our camping spot at Tunnel Trail Campground near Wilton, the entire ride will be on well-packed bike trail. At around 5:00p.m., we will have a campfire and supper at the campground. The Campground has an in-ground pool, hot showers, convenience store for camping items and snacks, and a very basic mini-golf course. For those with energy to spare, and the inclination, we will gather at 6:30 p.m. for Angelus and Vespers, at 8:00 p.m. for Rosary, and at 9:00 p.m. for Compline.
7:30 a.m.: Gather at Shrine parking lot. The walk to the Shrine is about 20 minutes from the parking lot.
8:30 a.m.: Mass at Shrine (Confession also available, starting at 8)
9:30a.m.: Memorial to the Unborn, Dignitas Infinitas, ¶¶ 47-50
10:30 a.m. Pedal the LaCrosse River Trail to Sparta (35 mi.) and the Elroy-Sparta Trail to Tunnel Trail Campground (21 mi.)
5 p.m.: Campfire and Supper at the Campground
6:30 p.m: Angelus and Vespers
8:00 p.m.: Rosary, with focus intentions
9:00 p.m.: Compline
Culture of Life Focus:
Abortion, IVF, and Surrogacy
Prayer intentions:
- For all unborn baby girls and unborn baby boys, whose lives may be threatened by abortion, that they may be given life and the opportunity to grow and love;
- For all mothers facing the distress of an unwelcome pregnancy, and for all fathers of unborn children: that these parents may find strength and grace to choose life for their baby;
- For all who are involved in providing abortion or promoting abortion as “final solution” to an unwelcome pregnancy, that they may find a change of heart and mind and the grace to embrace life;
- For couples struggling with infertility, that they would find courage to trust God’s time and plan and to resist the lure of IVF and surrogacy.
- For all parents, that they may find joy in an openness to the gift of children, and faith to allow God to write the story of their family.
For reflection: what choices can we make in solidarity with those whose lives are threatened by abortion, or IVF? How can we encourage parents to choose life?