High school students visit Sorrowful Mother Shrine

During the fall months, the Sorrowful Mother Shrine becomes a vibrant hub of activity as nature and spirituality converge. The changing colors of the leaves and the crispness in the air set a tranquil backdrop, inviting pilgrims and visitors to experience the sacred space in a new light.    

One highlight this fall was hosting a group of students from St. Gaspar Family of Parishes in the Dayton area. The students set up their tents on the shrine grounds and had lunch before afternoon sessions of “This Holy Ground,” held in the Shrine Chapel, followed by “Walking Pilgrimages” and the “Divine Mercy Chaplet.” They attended Mass led by Fr. Patrick Gonyeau in the Outdoor Pieta Chapel and enjoyed dinner under the outdoor pavilions.   

Confession was available at various times throughout the day and evening. Following dinner, the students attended a session called “Before Jesus” in the Outdoor Pieta Chapel. They broke into small groups for discussion, followed by music and s’mores by a campfire. On Sunday morning, the students gathered for “The Invitation of a Lifetime,” followed by Mass in the Outdoor Chapel, before departing at noon.  

These young people were engaging in their faith and were a sheer pleasure to talk to. Here’s what they had to say about their visit. 

Mary: “This weekend was filled with peace and joy! I enjoyed bringing my friends along with me as well. I loved being with my friends and family, going on walks, and exploring. Thank you for everything!”   

Hannah: “One of the most peaceful and beautiful 24 hours of my life. Only one night long but seriously life changing. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything more beautiful before.” 

Madeline: “I have encountered Jesus in new and beautiful ways every time I step foot on the grounds of the Sorrowful Mother Shrine. I found needed rest in Jesus this weekend and would return every week if I could! Through Fr. Patrick, God said the words ‘you will create earthquakes of faith and don’t be scared when people don’t like you for it.’ These words have been a great source of strength and comfort as I continue to do my best to share the Good News.”   

Stephen: “Fr Patrick’s retreat filled me with a deep sense of peace — praying the rosary through the woods and the night-time adoration really settled my soul. I have been discerning religious life as a brother for a while now, and I was really praying about that coming into the retreat. I kept on feeling very reaffirmed in that discernment process, which is something I look forward to continuing. I left the retreat with a renewed sense of my value in God’s eyes, and a deeper sense of trust and peace in God’s plan for me, because I know he Has one, even if I can’t always see it. Fr. Patrick’s joy, enthusiasm, and faith could be seen and felt very tangibly the whole weekend, and his authentic care and love for everyone brought the retreat to a whole new level.”  

Ceci: “On the retreat I was really impacted by the divine mercy walk we took through the shrine and asking the intercession of each saint, and the joy and love I felt from our group and Father Patrick.” Ceci 

Hope: “I experienced an immense amount peace at the shrine. While there, I got the chance to do a rosary walk around the grounds, and I felt the closest to God that I have felt in a while. It was a truly blessed experience.”  

Lily: “It was an incredible experience — from the forest walk to the beautiful chapel, it was truly a healing place. I enjoyed my time there with friends camping, which they so generously offered to us. Sorrowful Mother Shrine has helped me to grow in my relationship with Christ and continue on my journey with Him in a bold, joyful way. As I walked through the forest of various saint statues, they slowly came to life and inspired me to strive even more for sainthood, as that is what Christ has called us all to. Thank you, Father Patrick, and all the people behind the scenes that made this experience possible. What I took away most from this experience was the words of Father Patrick: ‘All will be well.’  

Do you have a group that would like to come close to God at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine? Contact us to schedule a visit. https://sorrowfulmothershrine.org/