Pilgrimage is an ancient Christian practice that helps us reorient our lives toward our true spiritual homeland. Please join us for Upper House's second summer pilgrimage, when we will visit the Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Hollandale, Wisconsin. This day of spiritual renewal will include learning about the Cistercian nuns, who lead a life of contemplative prayer, work, and making communion bread for churches across the country.
Preparing for a pilgrimage is as significant as reaching the destination. Our theme centers on Jesus' words: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24) You will be provided with materials to prepare in advance for our pilgrimage, during which we will consider themes of creation and sabbath, work and rest, prayer and contemplation, bread and holy communion.
We will have an opportunity to pray with the sisters in their newly constructed monastery chapel and hear from them about their way of life. Time and materials will also be available for silent personal reflection.
Join us for a peaceful retreat to meet God in the midst of beautiful surroundings, the sacredness of the monastic tradition, and the silence of contemplation.
COST = $15 per person, and includes lunch and a donation to the monastery
SCHEDULE
8:00 AM — Attend Mass (optional)
9:00 AM — Gather for Welcome
Noon — Box Lunch (provided)
2:00 PM — Depart
TRANSPORTATION
Attendees arrange their own. The Valley of Our Lady Monastery is located in Hollandale, a 50-minute drive from Madison.
LEADER:
Susan Swanke is the Manager of Academic Programs for the Lumen Center. Her academic interests include theology, philosophy, psychology, and Christian anthropology. Currently, she is studying Pope John Paul II's work on Christian anthropology, commonly referred to as Theology of the Body. She has a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from Christendom Graduate School in Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
MONASTERY COMMUNITY:
In 1098, a small group of Benedictine monks in France founded a new monastery where they could live their vows more fervently. It grew and spread as the Cistercian Order, a worldwide order of monks and nuns who embrace a simple but intense life of liturgy, manual labor, and contemplative prayer. The Valley of Our Lady Monastery was established in 1957, nearly 860 years later, by six foundresses who answered the call of Bishop William O'Connor.
