If you live within a reasonable distance of LaCrosse, Wis. and are looking for a great opportunity for a Respect Life Sunday pilgrimage, consider the following. CatholicVote.org and Relevant Radio are teaming up to host a pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in LaCrosse this Sunday, October 3.

If you haven’t yet visited the shrine, do so. It’s a beautiful shrine, designed by architect Duncan Stroik. You’ll find the Shrine and the artwork - both inside and out - beautiful and inspiring. The Shrine is one of the few places where I’ve seen contemporary religious art done well. The paintings of various saints inside the Shrine are remarkable.

CatholicVote and Relevant Radio, announced the pilgrimage 40 days before November’s election. With Our Lady of Guadalupe as the Patroness of the Americas and the Patroness of the Unborn, it’s a perfect opportunity to gather with like-minded people of faith for a day of prayer for our nation.

The plan for the event is simple. There are no speakers. The event is not political. It will begin with the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 11 a.m., Mass at 1 p.m., a Rosary Walk at 3 p.m., and the traditional celebration of Transitus (Latin for passing into Eternal Life) of St. Francis at 4 p.m. Father Francis “Rocky” Hoffman, of Relevant Radio, will be on hand.

Those interested are invited to come for any of the day’s events, or all of them. They’re encouraging families to bring a bagged lunch and a blanket to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and the colors of LaCrosse, which should be somewhere near their peak.

Josh Mercer, with CatholicVote.org, said that they hope to promote an annual pilgrimage to the Shrine on Respect Life Sunday.

What a great way to pray for life!

For directions to the shrine, visit their website.