On May 28-29, 2011, the Institute's superiors, canons, seminarians, and sisters made a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, with His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

For the clergy as well as the 700 faithful who came from many Institute apostolates world-wide, this pilgrimage, with its public ceremonies and opportunities for private devotions, was a grace-filled retreat under the maternal protection and guidance of the Institute's patroness, the Immaculate Conception.

At the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Upper Basilica, Cardinal Burke celebrated a Pontifical High Mass at 10:30 AM on Saturday, May 28. Later that afternoon, Cardinal Burke gave a well-attended conference on the defense of life, with concluding remarks by Monsignor Gilles Wach, prior general of the Institute. Spiritual sustenance was continued into the evening when the Institute's entire entourage made the candlelight procession to the Grotto.  Before thousands of pilgrims and the flickering candle lights held by each, Cardinal Burke gave his Episcopal blessing.

Monsignor Michael Schmitz, Vicar General of the Institute, was the celebrant on Sunday, also in the Upper Basilica. To conclude this joyful Marian pilgrimage, a Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was offered by Canon Benoît Jayr, Provincial Superior of the Institute in France.

As with the Institute's Lourdes pilgrimages in previous years, many families came with their young children. Through the young eyes and hearts of these children, the maternal love of Our Lady of Lourdes seemed to glow even more brightly than ever, and more indispensable than ever.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us! St. Bernadette, pray for us!