Dear Visitor to Stas.org,

Every year, the SSPX organizes a 3-day pilgrimage from Chartres Cathedral to Paris on the weekend of Pentecost. The motives for a pilgrimage can vary, being anything from a public profession of the faith, to performing penance for past sins, or even the fulfillment of a promise made to God in thanksgiving for graces received. In some way, this pilgrimage fulfills all of these ends. Any individual pilgrim may make the sacrifice for one or more of these particular motives, yet the spirit of a pilgrimage of this magnitude is not limited to only one of these purposes, but encompasses them all. Nonetheless, each year the organizers choose a specific theme for the pilgrimage in order to focus the intentions of the pilgrims and provide subject matter for meditation and prayer.

This year's theme was Le combat de la foi — the fight for the Faith. With only a few weeks left before their ordination, when they will join the front line of the battle for the Catholic faith, the deacons of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary received a final opportunity to obtain graces for their priestly ministry by participation in this pilgrimage, a symbol of the Christian warfare. They marched with various chapters on the pilgrimage, helping to lead the pilgrims in hymns, prayers, and meditations. Though this was the primary intention of the deacons' trip to Europe, they took advantage of the opportunity and providential timing of their presence their to visit both the Holy Shroud of Turin, on display for the first time in ten years, and the village of Ars, where St. Jean-Marie Vianney worked for years as parish priest.

The Shroud of Turin	The reliquary containing the body of St. Jean-Marie Vianney	The exterior of Chartres cathedral

Two of the American deacons participated in a video feature compiled for this year's Chartres pilgrimage by DICI. If you are interested in viewing this video, please click the following link: The Pentecost Pilgrimage 2010: The Fight for the Faith. While on DICI's English language website, you can also view photos from the pilgrimage.

The deacons would like also to thank all of the benefactors who made special contributions to allow them to participate in this event. Certainly these benefactors will have a special place in the prayers and First Masses of the soon-to-be priests. Thank you for continuing to support the Seminary and Stas.org. “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.”