Grotto Pilgrimage draws 300-plus

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

More than 300 diocesan faithful – including 265 grade school students - participated in the Grotto Pilgrimage on April 23.

According to Msgr. Ed Girres, rector of the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, the idea for the pilgrimage was dreamed up by Dale and Peg Heider of St. Mary Parish in Humboldt. They wanted to bring grade school students to the grotto during the Jubilee Year of Hope.

“Since the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption was designated by Bishop (Walker) Nickless as a pilgrimage site for the jubilee year, and the grotto is such a special place, Dale and Peg thought it was a great way to combine experiencing the grotto, making a pilgrimage and gaining a plenary indulgence,” explained Msgr. Girres.

Dale Heider pointed out that they have organized several other pilgrimages to various locations in the diocese in the past based on special happenings such as visiting the holy doors at the Cathedral in Sioux City, the new chapel at Bishop Garrigan and the school expansion at Humboldt St. Mary. In all cases, invitations to participate in the pilgrimages were extended beyond their parish members.

“This year during the Jubilee Year of Hope, we thought the timing of a pilgrimage to the grotto would be great,” he said, noting that Bishop Walker Nickless had named the grotto as one of four pilgrimage sites in the diocese. The other sites in the diocese include Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, Trinity Heights in Sioux City and St. Joseph Parish in Milford.

The main focus of this pilgrimage was students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades, but even adults were welcomed to participate. Students participating came from St. Mary School in Humboldt, West Bend-Mallard Public School, Pocahontas Catholic, Emmetsburg Catholic, Fort Dodge St. Edmond School and Algona Bishop Garrigan Schools.

“I thought it was a great pilgrimage. There was a great turnout of students, staff and some adults,” said Peg Heider, who called it a beautiful day. 
The Heiders were not only pleased with the “awesome turnout” but the participation of the youth.

“We planned the day so that all the elements of gaining an indulgence were part of the pilgrimage,” said Msgr. Girres, who added that it included Mass, the sacrament of reconciliation, eucharistic adoration and the prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary and the Creed, which were used as penance for those who went to confession.

Also included as part of the day was a brief talk on pilgrimage, what an indulgence is and how to get an indulgence during the holy year.

The three grades rotated from reconciliation, a tour and picnic lunch with time to explore the grotto including the gift shop.

“The kids just flocked to the gift store. There were buying religious items to take home,” noted Peg Heider.
Mandy Glawe, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Bishop Garrigan, said the students were excited for this opportunity.

“During the tour of the grotto, they were interested in learning about the process of how the grotto was built and seeing the different symbolism that Father Doberstein (grotto founder) incorporated into his artwork. Humboldt St. Mary also did an amazing job leading a living rosary at the end of the day in which they acted out the luminous mysteries,” she said. “Our students have not seen the rosary presented this way before, and they thought that was interesting.”

Msgr. Girres called it a great day with beautiful weather. 

“The celebration of Mas was uplifting and the students were actively engaged,” said the shrine rector. “If participants had any openness at all, there would be no question that they could experience the richness of their faith, thus renewing and strengthening it – which is the purpose of a jubilee year.”

After all of the planning that went into the event, Dale Heider said it was rewarding and gratifying that the event touched so many lives. It was not only a great day for the participants, he added, but for the grotto.“It is such a wonderful place,” he said. “They say it’s the largest grotto in the world. There’s nothing like it. It’s truly amazing.”

In addition to Msgr. Girres, the Heiders mentioned Rose Walker, grotto director of operations; Deacon Bruce Helleseth and his wife, Angie, were very helpful in organizing the day. There were about 15 volunteers to help organize the various groups throughout the day. Seven priests were on hand to hear confessions. In addition, there were 14 members of the Knights of Columbus who provided an honor guard during Mass and the Redemption Singers led the music. 

Glawe said she was impressed with how organized the event was and added the various volunteers and clergy helped it to run smoothly.

“This was a wonderful experience for the students,” said the Garrigan teacher. “We were able to spend the day in prayer by attending Mass, participating in reconciliation, and praying the rosary, but they also had some free time to explore the grotto, spend time with their peers and enjoy the beautiful day. It was also very fitting because we had just been discussing indulgences in religion class while discussing Divine Mercy Sunday, and this pilgrimage gave students the opportunity to learn about and obtain indulgences.”

Msgr. Girres said they hope to arrange a pilgrimage in the fall for high school students.

As one of four diocesan pilgrimage sites, the grotto is offering three pilgrimage options to satisfy the requirements to obtain the plenary indulgence for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. Click here for more info about the pilgrimage options.

To book a pilgrimage to the grotto, contact Director of Operations Rose Walker at (515) 320-2874 or email [email protected].