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CHARLOTTE — Each summer the Te Deum Foundation, a local non-profit organization that helps provide for the needs of seminarians of the Diocese of Charlotte, makes a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. The Peace Pilgrimage is specifically a time set aside for priests, seminarians and laity to travel to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima to pray for the salvation of souls, peace in the world and to do penance for those who may not even realize they are in sin.

Father Christopher Roux, pastor of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte and a trustee of the Te Deum Foundation, will lead the pilgrimage along with Father John Putnam, pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury and vice president of the board of directors for the foundation.

The two have been leading pilgrimages there for years.

"As priests, we are called to save souls and do penance for those who are in sin," Father Roux said. "This pilgrimage provides opportunity for that. ...It can also confirm or strengthen a seminarian's call to the priesthood. I know many men who have had that experience on pilgrimage to Fatima."

Father Putnam said, "Returning to Fatima for me is like going home. Because of the significance the place has to my own vocation, leading the pilgrimage is always an opportunity for me to renew my commitment to the Lord, Our Lady and priestly ministry."

Seminarian Brian Becker, who is studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio, will also accompany the group.

"Though I grew up Catholic, my relationship with Mary has not been a big part of my faith," Becker said. "This has been something that I have been working on a great deal during my first year in seminary, and I'm excited for the possibility to deepen this relationship with Our Lady of Fatima through this pilgrimage. I'm grateful to all those who have made this trip possible for us seminarians."

Another seminarian making the trip is Peter Ascik, who is a member of the Legion of Mary and is also studying at the Josephinum.

"My first intention for the pilgrimage is to give honor and thanks to Our Lady," Ascik said. "The apparitions at Fatima show Mary's love and concern for us. She cared deeply enough about the world to come personally to the three children at Fatima and through them to teach us how to better follow her Son.

"I will spend time on the pilgrimage thinking and praying about Our Lady's request that we offer prayer and penance for our sins and for those of other people. I will ask Our Lady's intercession for the needs of my family and friends and for the Church, especially the Diocese of Charlotte. I also intend to ask for Our Lady's protection and guidance for my formation for the priesthood."

The pilgrims will meet up with seminarian Chris Bond, who just completed the 500-mile "Camino de Santiago" ("Way of St. James") from France to Spain. His parents, Allen and Gini Bond of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, will be among the pilgrims to greet him in Fatima.

For more information about the Te Deum Foundation, go to www.tedeumfoundation.org.

— SueAnn Howell, staff writer