Third annual pilgrimage to the Prairie Bells Grotto of the Holy Family

On June 7, faithful embarked on the third annual pilgrimage to the Prairie Bells Grotto of the Holy Family, which rests between Linton and Wishek on Highway 13 and one mile north on 23rd Ave SE. 

The pilgrimage started at what is called Hope Hill in honor of our Jubilee Year of Hope. Hope Hill is about 3.5 miles cross-country from the grotto on a farmstead with an old red barn and a few corrals. The start point and grotto both have beautiful views overlooking the North Dakota prairie. Hope Hill is in the Diocese of Fargo while the Prairie Bells Grotto is in the Diocese of Bismarck. The pilgrimage took about three hours, and the goal was to end at 1 p.m. As the last pilgrims arrived to the site, persons looking at their watches announced it was exactly 1 p.m. 

The people who attended were faithful from surrounding parishes in both the Fargo and Bismarck Diocese. The pilgrimage offered time to pray, walk, ride, take in scenery, endure hardship, and enjoy fellowship. The day proved a little breezy but this kept the temperatures just right. 

A pilgrimage is a journey, one that can be made alone but one that unites people when we journey together. Sometimes in life we end up feeling like we are walking this journey of life alone. Sometimes we find it hard to lean on others for help. This year’s walk was so encouraging to see people mixing amongst each other, encouraging each other, and telling their stories. We are a family as Catholics, but we sometimes forget to lean on each other to help us on our journey. God wants to offer more than what we see before us, a life that keeps the heart consoled and joyful. 

The Prairie Bells Grotto of the Holy Family was finished Dec. 28, 1992 (the Feast of the Holy Family). To learn more about this site, visit www.bismarckdiocese.com/news/honoring-the-holy-family. ;