Dear brothers of De Smet,
As we start off the year together, let me take you through the spiritual experience I had on the summer pilgrimage to Canada. Retracing the steps of early the Jesuit Jean de Brebeuf, six other junior students and I had the time of our lives. Seeing the exact spot in which Brebeuf was martyred gave us all the chills. It was truly an experience that led me closer to God and I can say I will never forget. We had a lot of fun and we met some amazing people but we learned a lot more. We learned that we need to step it up.
The whole school needs to step it up in our faith lives, myself included. We are here as one community for and with others in Christ. Our mission should be to grow as friends, sons, boyfriends, Christians or whatever it may be. But we can’t do it alone. Each student should be looking to help one another and help them in a positive manner. Our school is full of people who are great at a lot of unique things. Let us embrace our differences, embrace the things that others may be better at than ourselves.
Do not be afraid to show yourself to the school. Everyone in this school means something to it. Find something you are good at and be a role model for others. As we continue to grow together as students of faith, let us seek out God and our early Jesuits like Brebeuf and ask for help. The summer trip opened up my eyes to new things and I asked one thing of myself. To find something to bring back to the school community. I leave you with one request: be kind to one another, help each other out and finally, find God in small things and see what he can do to your life. I am very excited for this school year, and I am proud to be a member of this school. I wish all of you good luck on the year ahead of us.
Grant Stegman , Editor-in-Chief
PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS BELOW
The beauty of this sight was breath-taking. God gave this sight for us to enjoy it and we certainly did.
After the long drive into Canada and the quick stay at Niagara, the pilgrimage moves onto Midland, Ontario. This is where the pilgrimage started.
We toured the reconstructed mission, Saint Marie among the Hurons, here St. Jean de Brebeuf S.J. did mission work with the Wendad indians. We also celebrated mass at the sight of St. Jean's martyrdom(next picture).
Jean de Brebeuf and Gabriel L'Allamont were here in this field at St. Ignace when the Iroquois attacked the village. They took the two Jesuits and began to torture them. Brebeuf kept speaking about God and so the Iroquois Indians cut out his tongue. On these polls is where the two where martyred.
This is the reconstructed Jesuit mission in Midland. In 1844, Fr. Pierre Chazelle S.J. started the excavation on the sight. 120 years later, the reconstruction started on top of the excavation sight. In 1984, Pope John Paul II visited the sight.
This was an amazing part of our trip as well. We had time to explore the sight and it was so cool to see everything and it was even better to have it lie on top of the same sight in which the mission was on.
This mass was full of chills. There was not a time in the mass where I did not have goosebumps. Being in the exact spot in which they were martyred was something special. Many students felt these same chills as well.
Day 1 on the water we launched from Midland and ended the day after a 13 kilometer (8 mile) trip to Beausoleil Island.
Day 2 on the water we traveled 44 kilometers(27.3 miles) to Wreck Island.
Day 3 on the water we finished our pilgrimage with a 23 kilometer(14.3 mile) trip to Parry Island.
I am sure the rest of students and teachers that went on this would agree when I say that this was the best day on the water. We had a race when we saw Perry Island in the distance. When we got to the island, we had a great time. During small groups we saw a beautiful sunset. After dinner, we had a great talk with the entire group and we were just hanging out. The relationships we made will defiantly stick with me for the rest of my life. Ben Lightner, Mr. Farrell and I all worked on a paddle that we gave to Erik Sorrenson, the main planner of the pilgrimage. We wanted to show our gratitude for having us. It was very hard to say goodbye to the people we had met.
Our last day was memorable to everyone on the trip. Only knowing the others on the pilgrimage for only 4-5 days, the students and teachers made a great connection with them. The vibe in the air just felt different. No matter the culture or skin tone, everyone got along. It was a special night and brought us closer to everyone and God. Our teachers took our phones for three days, and honestly it was so worth it. The only kind of communication we had was with each other and God. Everyone grew closer together.
PICTURES and VIDEOS OF THE TRIP
Thank you to everyone who helped make this trip life changing. It brought us all closer to God and give us ideas on how to spread his love throughout the world. It starts with us.
Grant Stegman
Credits:
Austin Neumann Mr. Farrell Grant Stegman