The US Youth Sponsorship Program
Every year Remnant Tours is honored to partner with generous Catholics from all over the world who make it possible for us to bring enthusiastic young people on this pilgrimage. Our young pilgrims are hand selected by Michael Matt through an application process in which they detail their desire to experience this truly life-changing and spiritually-charged event.
These young pilgrims will take the intentions of their sponsors with them on pilgrimage to Chartres and to each of the holy places visited afterward.
Readers wishing to sponsor one of these hopefuls can make tax-deductible donations to:
The Remnant Tours Youth Fund
PO Box 1117
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Or pay online by clicking the button below:
Important: Any sponsorship applicants from previous years who were unable to go and wish to apply again for 2024 must resend an updated letter in by December 15th, 2023. Letters can be emailed to agent@remnanttours.com
The US Chaplain/Chaperone Fund:
The Remnant Tours is deeply committed to the moral, spiritual and physical wellbeing of each of our pilgrims. We engage Chaplains and Chaperones to ensure a safe and spiritually productive environment at every step of the way. This year we are bringing the indefatigable Fr. Gregory Pendergraft, FSSP, who brings a commitment to the true spirit of Pilgrimage throughout the trip which resonates with young and old alike. We will also have three chaperones to look after the safety and health of the group, especially the young pilgrims.
All of our chaplains and chaperones are volunteers. They ask not one penny for their services, but are fully committed to this Catholic action. However, The Remnant must still find a way to finance their transportation and accommodation. Anyone wishing to help out, under the same terms as the Youth Fund—your name will be added to the Pilgrimage Prayer List and your intentions will be remembered every day.
Please send tax-deductible donations to: Remnant Tours, PO Box 1117, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Or pay online by clicking the button below:
Tel: (651) 433-5425
Testimony from a Former Chartres Pilgrim:
Editor, The Remnant: I am french, I have been living now in Canada with my family for almost 20 years (my husband and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary in May, we married in the suburb of Versailles in a 13th century roman style (versus gothic) little country church).
I appreciate very much your commitment to the pilgrimage of Chartres as I have been marching many times there as a french resident, first as a Catholic girl guide and then as a student with the traditional movement (Pelerinage Chretiente), I was walking with an american girl friend from California along with an american chapter (I wish I could recontact them). All those pilgrimages have built in me strength and fortitude throughout all the challenges that we all have to face in our lives. It has been giving so much strength even though I could not participate anymore.
I strongly encourage the parents to send their children there or/and even to participate themselves. I encourage everybody to go. It is such an uplifting experience. It is worth the effort as our Lady basically carries us...we do not feel the miles accumulating "in our legs".... when we get closer to the beautiful Cathedral of Chartres that is built up on a hill, the last steps are tough, the closer we are the tougher it is...but then, miracle of miracles, we are basically floating in the Cathedral...we feel like in heaven...purified by the penance, the walk, carried by angels...so close to the Sacred-Heart of our Lord...we feel renewed and so much love...wrapped up in the mantle of tenderness of our Lady. Surrounded by many brothers and sisters in Christ, all united in one, yet personally encountering our Lord Jesus-Christ, renewed in His love. It is an unforgettable experience: a journey to get closer to Christ and strengthened in Him.
"Together we are fortress!" I wish I could go along with my Canadian husband and our 8 children (the oldest is 17 and the youngest 2)..It seems a rather impossible mission as we do not have means to travel. (I have not gone to France for almost 15 years) Anyway, I hope many young people from the United States of America will be able to go... God bless you and your hard work! In Corde Mariae Matris,
Carole Jobin