Clarion Herald Pilgrimage Will Follow Footsteps of the Greatest Generation

The Clarion Herald and Father Walter Austin, the pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Parish in LaPlace and chaplain with the Louisiana National Guard, invite you to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a pilgrimage to the beaches of Normandy and the shrines of France, June 11-23, 2019.

As part of the 13-day spiritual pilgrimage, Father Austin will join New Orleans WWII historian Ron Drez Sr. – one of the world’s foremost experts on the Normandy invasion and a long-time associate of Dr. Stephen Ambrose – to escort Clarion Herald pilgrims on three full days across the 60-mile Normandy invasion front.

Retrace the steps of St. Joan of Arc in Tours, Poitiers and Orleans; visit the Grand Cathedral in Rennes; and soak in the breathtaking beauty of Mont Saint-Michel before heading for three full days in Normandy, where Drez will bring to life the heroic sacrifices of the Greatest Generation during the D-Day invasion. Daily Mass will be celebrated.

Father Austin is the former state chaplain for the Louisiana National Guard. Father Austin’s military career began in 1989. He has served this country both in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom receiving numerous awards and commendations which include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service ribbon, LA War Cross, Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon and the Order of St. Barbara.

There is an optional extended stay in Paris or an optional extension to Lourdes.

For more information, contact www.CatholicJourneys.com; (504) 834-4951 or [email protected].