Letters to the Editor

Continued...

interesting is the stop in Budapest, where St. Stephen of Hungary, our parish patron, is buried! Another interesting coincidence (or more likely Providence) is the strong emphasis on Blessed Emperor Karl; my family used to attend St. Mary’s in Washington D.C., which hosts the Blessed Karl Mass every year.

From various jobs I have saved up to pay my registration. I would be immensely grateful for any donations, and will pray for all my sponsors both spiritual and material.

Thank you so much for your consideration, and may God reward you richly! Sincerely, Madeline Eastman Dear Remnant Readers: My name is Jean-Michel Rusangiza. I am a 22-yearold senior from Franciscan University of Steubenville where I study Computer Science. I humbly write this letter in hopes that I can receive sponsorship for the 2019 Chartres Pilgrimage. I began attending the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church in only the last year when my friends asked me to go and it instantly attracted me by its tradition and beauty. The use of the Latin language and being in utter silence alone has drawn me closer to Christ. My prayer life and my desire to dive deeper into studying Catholic dogma and doctrine has increased ever since attending. I also began attending the Tridentine Mass at my home parish in Gainesville, VA.

As a result of studying more of the Catholic faith, it opened my eyes to see the errors of Vatican II and its results.

Young people are no longer exposed to the Traditional Latin Mass much, just the plainer, protestant looking Novus Ordo mass. They are not being taught in a way that should allow them to radically change their lives, that the Catholic faith is the only true faith, the only true religion and that every other religion is false. They are being taught that it doesn’t matter what religion you are, as long as you’re a nice person. In order for people witness the truth of the faith, we need to get back to its roots, back to tradition.

I would love to go to the Chartres Pilgrimage because it would give me an experience to step away from the world for the moment and be able to meet other Traditional Catholics from around the world to see how the Church should be at its roots. It will allow me grow more in humility and piety. It would refresh me to continue the fight in this war as a part of the Church Militant. And this would give me a chance after graduating from college to discern God’s will for the next step in my life.

Jean-Michel Rusangiza Dear Remnant Readers: My name is Bryan Zhu. I originally came from China and I am a recent convert into the Catholic faith. I came over to United States about 6 years ago with high school and higher education in mind. It was on my search for true happiness that I discovered the relational reality and joy of Christianity. With the help of my host family I converted and became a Presbyterian Protestant. I thought this would be the end of my spiritual journey until I start to pay more attention to the monthly Mass that my Catholic high school celebrated with the attendance of the whole student body. I felt an immense peace from the Mass that my church’s Sunday service could never promise. I became more and more interested in Catholic teachings and doctrines. With the help of my junior year Theology teacher, I was consumed with the vast knowledge of the Catholic church.

It was the historicity that struck me the most since no other denominations can claim its founder to be Christ except Catholic Church. The Church’s teaching on contraception also enlightened my road to conversion. After learning how each protestant denomination fell to the lie of modernism and the evil of contraception, the long-standing teaching of the Church against them gave me confidence that the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ. I started to pray the rosary in private and asked for the Holy Spirit to confirm my thoughts and speculations. Finally, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, our Lady talked to me in my heart to call me home. With tearful eyes, I answered the maternal love with all my faith and courage and eventually was confirmed and entered the church on Easter Sunday of 2018.

Now as a Catholic on fire with love for my Faith, I am enrolled at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, one of the best Catholic liberal art colleges in the United States. I love the classical education that the college offers and enjoy several extra curricular activities such as rugby, music theatre, men’s group and swing dancing. This Chartres pilgrimage will greatly strengthen my new-born Catholic faith and give me a global perspective of the Catholic Church; truly experience the catholicity of the mother Church and the glory of Christendom. I not only will continue the fire of faith within that this pilgrimage will strengthen, but also emits the light that it produces to the world by being a life-long witness of Christ. Thank you for reading my story and God bless. God Bless, Bryan (Liyun Zhu) Dear Remnant Readers: My name is Sean Homcy and I am a 20-yearold Junior at Franciscan University of Steubenville. While at home in Cleveland, Ohio, I am blessed to be able to attend the Latin Mass at more than one nearby parish, though I was not exposed to the Extraordinary Form until about six years ago. That discovery drastically changed my life as I began to know the rich traditions of the Church and the depth of God’s revelation in His Holy Bride. It also led to an awareness of my vocation to the priesthood which I have been seriously discerning for the past few years.

I first heard about the Chartres Pilgrimage over the summer and I yearned to experience the camaraderie and spiritual benefits of this tradition, though I did not think that I would be given the opportunity to do so. That changed, however, when I came back to school this past semester and learned, from several others who have gone or who intend to go, about the possibility of sponsorship. Attending the Catholic Identity Conference this past November also served to strengthen my desire as I met so many fervently devoted and traditionally minded men and women.

Going on this pilgrimage would be an incredible opportunity to give glory to God, to pray for His people, and to grow in holiness so that I may know His will and obtain the strength with which to follow it for the sake of the Church. I am unable to fund the trip by myself. Therefore I humbly rely on your generosity in the hope that I may be able to partake in this incredible experience.

Be assured that I will most certainly pray for the intentions of any sponsors not just on the pilgrimage, but thereafter.

Thank you for your consideration and may God continue to bless you. Yours In Christ, Sean Homcy Dear Remnant Readers: Pax Christi.

My name is Megan McBryde, and I’m currently a senior in high school. I attend the FSSP parish, Mater Dei, in Irving, TX, and am also enrolled at the homeschool co-op there. I’m the second oldest of seven and a cradle Catholic.

I’m seriously discerning the religious life, and while I’m pretty certain I have a vocation, I would like to make this pilgrimage to pray for the knowledge of God’s will and the strength to follow it. I’ve been active-ly discerning since I was sixteen and have since then visited the Benedictines of Mary and the Labor Mariae Sisters, both traditional Latin orders.

Both times I found a sense of peace and true happiness I know I won’t find in this material world. Unfortunately there are so many vocations lost in the world, and so, while I pray for my own vocation, I will also be praying for more vocations to both the priesthood and reli-gious life.

My parents were blessed to go on the Chartres Pilgrimage years ago and expressed the graces and spiritual benefit they both received on this journey. It would be such a blessing to be able to attend and receive these graces God has waiting to offer those who make this journey for Him. As I am one of seven, my family can’t cover the full cost of this trip, but between now and then I believe I’ll be able to save up as much as $500. I would greatly appreciate any prayers and sponsorship and carry with me the prayer intentions of my sponsors and anyone who prayed to make my presence in this beautiful pilgrimage possible. God bless and Mary keep you. In the Heart of Mary, Megan McBryde Dear Remnant Readers: My name is Thomas Hess Jr. and I am twenty years old. I have been attending Christendom College for two years, and currently am taking a year off from school to discern what I may be called to do. I attend the Latin Mass at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Fr. Pendergraft is my pastor.

After attending a three day Pilgrimage in Auriesville, New York, which was spiritually edifying, I am determined to seek out another chance to challenge myself and grow in my faith as I continue this period of discernment.

I know people who have experienced this wonderful Chartres pilgrimage and how it had an impact on their lives and spiritual growth. I have been so inspired by the stories of the pilgrims who persevered through the hardships of the pilgrimage and were met with such a renewal of faith. In our dark world today, it is easy to go out like a light in a storm. To be surrounded by so many faithful Catholics marching for Christ is precisely what we need in order to instill a sense of fervor, as well as remind ourselves what our purpose is on earth as the Church militant. It would be a privilege to be given this opportunity to be a part of this pilgrim-age and any contribution I would be truly grateful for. I will pray for you and your intentions.

In Christ, Tommy Hess

Waiting for Sponsors:

Patrick Seeley...FULLY SPONSORED Devan Brandalick….FULLY SPONSORED David Kirk……. FULLY SPONSORED Joseph Meyers… FULLY SPONSORED Bridgette Mitchel…FULLY SPONSORED Megan McBryde… $0 thus far Madeline Eastman..$400 thus far Jean-Michel Rusangiza…$0 thus far Thomas Hess…$0 thus far Bryan Zhu……$0 thus far Sean Homcy…$0 thus far Brendan Vance…$0 thus far Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Remnant Tours Youth Fund

PO Box 1117 Forest Lake, MN 55025