This application is for CURRENT ST. KATE'S STUDENT IN GOOD STANDING ONLY to apply to participate in the Spring 2020 Pilgrimage to Le Puy, France.

Description
What is a Pilgrimage?: pilgrimage(Noun):  A journey made to a sacred place, or a religious journey; a visit to any site revered or associated with a meaningful event.

Why Le Puy, France?:  LePuy is the area in which the Sisters of St. Joseph were founded. Le Puy is a small town in the Auvergne region in south central France near the Loire River. The population of Le Puy is approximately 21,000 people. This historical town is situated in a hard to reach location between high hills and a famous volcano, yet still attracts more than 700,000 visitors each year.  Le Puy is famous for its religious monuments and for being one of the starting pilgrimage points in France with its national monument, the Le Puy-en-Velay Cathedral. While the city is famous for its cathedral, it is also well known for a kind of lentil as well as for its lace-making.  

Trip participants will spend 6 days at the beautiful Centre International St. Joseph: Sisters of St. Joseph Centre International. St. Joseph offers a great experience with its many different programs such as retreats and pilgrimages that include visits to significant Sisters of St. Joseph sites. Additionally, we will spend a day in Lyon, France. Here we will visit the grave of Mother St. John Fontbonne, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, Vieux Lyon, Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph where the Sisters will lead a visit.  

Program Leader  
Sister Catherine Steffens, CSJ and her associate will be our guide on this pilgrimage. Both guides have traveled to Le Puy several times leading pilgrimages among many groups. 

Program Sponsor
This program is sponsored by the St. Kate's Center for Spirituality and Social Justice.  Any questions regarding the program should be directed to spiritandjustice@stkate.edu.

Dates
Travel Dates:
March 21-28, 2020.  

On-Campus Dates:
November 16, 2019 - There will be a mandatory on-campus orientation for all student participants. If you are accepted to the program, please plan to attend from approximately 8:30 am to 4pm.  There will be a break for lunch.

Student Cost
This program will be $1,500 per student.  
There will be a $250 deposit, due upon acceptance to the program.  The remaining $1,250 will be due by January 15, 2019.  


The following things are included in the program cost:
-Round Trip International Airfare
-All transportation during the program
-All lodging (shared rooms)
-All meals
-All program-related activities, visits, and entrance fees
-International Emergency & Medical Insurance


Participants should plan to bring additional money for the following:
-Personal food and snack purchases
-Souvenirs

Eligibility
The Le Puy Pilgrimage is open to any CURRENT St. Kate's student (must be in good academic and judicial standing and registered during the Spring 2020 semester) from ANY program and at ANY degree level.  

Application/Decision Notes
This program has 14 spots for student participants.  It is expected that there will be more applicants than spaces available.  Please keep this in mind when writing your essays and be sure you are thoughtful and thorough in  your responses.

Students will be notified of acceptance decisions by email on or after October 22, 2019.  

Depending on the number of student applicants, there may be a waitlist established.  Students offered a spot on the waitlist may choose to accept the spot or not accept the spot.  In the event of the cancellation of an accepted student, the next student on the waitlist will be notified that space is available and will need to submit the program deposit within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance.  The waitlist will remain active until January 15, 2020.

Accessibility Needs
Once students are notified of acceptance, they will need to communicate any need for accommodations (physical access or dietary restrictions due to a medical condition or allergy) during travel to O’Neill Center within one week to determine what accommodations will be necessary.  The Center for Spirituality and Social Justice will then be in touch with the O’Neill Center and the program leaders to work on the accommodations arrangements and determine additional costs.

Travel Health 
All students will be required to complete a travel appointment with a  Medical Professional once they are accepted to the program (NOT as part of the application process).  This appointment should cover current conditions, diagnoses, and medications, as well as travel-related health considerations and location specific concerns.  

Passport/Visa
All program participants must have a current, valid passport that expires no less than 6 months from the date the program returns (September 2020).  Students not in possession of a current, valid passport may still apply, but MUST submit a copy of their passport application and receipt of payment within 2 weeks of being accepted to the program.  Please see the U.S. Department of State Passports page to learn more about applying for a passport.

A visa IS NOT required for U.S. Citizens to travel to France.  Citizens of countries other than the United States or people who have Travel Documents (Issued by the United States or any other country) should contact the Center for Spirituality and Social Justice as soon as possible. 

Cancellation Policy
Cancellation for a full refund is possible until JANUARY 15, 2020.  Cancellations after January 15 will incur a charge that may be up to the full program amount.