Saint Michael Pilgrimages
Immersion experiences provide the deepest engagement with God and one another. At Saint Michael, we consider mission trips, and pilgrimages trips to be immersion experiences. Committing the time and money for these experiences is always a big decision, but we know that as we immerse ourselves in work, in prayer, and in friendship, the Spirit of God shapes us in significant ways. The experiences below are the current offerings through Saint Michael. Each immersion experience is geared toward a particular population, but everyone should have multiple options. Please prayerfully consider which experience is the best fit for you in this phase of your Christian journey and then join us to deepen relationships with old friends and make some wonderful news ones, too! -Chris Girata
UPCOMING EXPERIENCES
Pilgrimage: Celtic Christianity
Saint Michael and All Angels is offering a pilgrimage trip to Ireland where we’ll experience the best of Celtic Christianity. This 7-day trip, led by The Rev. Mary Lessmann, is scheduled for Memorial Day week 2024 – May 23-30.
Pilgrimage: Camino De Santiago September 2024
The Camino de Santiago is a walking retreat—an opportunity to be at one with God and with God’s creation. It is also a unique time for cultivating, developing, and creating fellowship, strengthening old friendships and discovering new ones, meeting pilgrims from around the world who journey alongside us, and most importantly, furthering your spiritual growth, all while trekking across the beautiful Spanish countryside.
EXPERIENCE ARCHIVE
FAMILY HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
March 2019
This trip took place over Spring Break and was geared to families with children in 3rd to 12th grade. 46 folks participated in the trip which focused on Biblical sites, such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Galilee.These pilgrims were awed by the experience of standing in the very places that Jesus stood.Saint Michael intends to offer a trip to the Holy Land each year.In odd years, this trip will be geared to families. In even years, it will be geared to adults.
HONDURAS & BOLIVIA EXPERIENCES
Our Tela, Honduras, Amistad Bolivia and Honduras Threads mission teams all made trips in 2019.These are ministries that have been built over many years through long-standing relationships with the local communities, nurtured by annual trips. In Tela, Honduras our missioners partner with Espiritu Santo school for education, health and nutrition ministry.Our Bolivia missioners partner with Amistad Mission and the Casa Esperanza family home whose goal is to reunite separated siblings.And our Honduras Threads team partners with embroidery cooperatives in rural Honduras to enable women to become financially self-sustaining. Over 30 SMAA members participated in these mission opportunities in 2019.
YOUTH EXPERIENCE
In July 2019, Chase Monson took 11 middle school students on a mission trip to Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas. Missioners learned about sustainability, where their food comes from and how to work on a ranch – including caring for the livestock and cleaning out their pens!
MISSION TRIP: TELA, HONDURAS
February 2020
Saint Michael missionaries returned to Tela February 8-15, 2020, partnering with Espiritu Santo, the Episcopal Church and Day School. Our group worked with local parishioners and senior class members to provide over 350 children with fluoride treatments, toothpaste and toothbrushes, fitted and distributed over 200 pairs of eyeglasses; served over 300 school lunches; and shared Bible stories through music, crafts, and laughter with more than 450 students.