From June 15th to June 27th,, 2010, a group of 37 girls from the United States, Ireland, and Spain traveled throughout Ireland with the Servant Brothers and Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother. They visited various pilgrimage sites throughout the country, from the tomb of Saint Patrick to 15th century monastic ruins.
Their pilgrimage began in Shannon, and from there, they visited the Rock of Cashel, the Blarney Stone, the Book of Kells, and various other sites. They climbed the mountain of Downpatrick that, as tradition says, Saint Patrick climbed before he began his ministry in Ireland. The last stop on the pilgrimage, and for many, the highlight of the trip, was Our Lady of Knock Shrine, where Our Lady appeared in the late 1800ｴs. While traveling from city to city on bus, the girls passed the time by singing songs, playing games and sharing testimonies of how the Lord and the Blessed Mother had worked in their lives. 
The center of the pilgrimage was always focused on Christ. The Servant Brothers celebrated Mass daily for the group, as well as gave several meditations during times of prayer. The girls prayed the rosary often as well, and their conversations never remained superficial.
The generosity of all the local people they encountered was also extremely impressive. Nearly every night, a different family or group hosted the pilgrims, providing food, company, and often a place to stay. One group in Downpatrick even hired a traditional Irish band so the the girls could truly experience Irish culture. Overall, the girls described the pilgrimage as a time of enormous grace. The girls formed great friendships and unforgettable memories, but most importantly, they grew in knowledge and love for their faith.
By Morgan Medbery
