Save the Date: Sugar Creek Pilgrimage

Every five years, the Citizen Potawatomi reenact the forced march from South Bend, Indiana, to a reservation in eastern Kansas. That reservation, Sugar Creek, is about one hour south of Kansas City, and it is where Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne achieved her life’s dream of living and working with Native Americans. The reservation has been maintained in honor of Saint Duchesne and is the terminus of the Potawatomi caravan on September 23.

Janet Pearl, Citizen band tribal member, spoke to the student body in October 2022 about her family connection to Saint Duchesne. Our school community is invited to join the celebration.

A group of Duchesne staff and teachers will pilgrimage to Sugar Creek, stopping in Kansas City near the Westport docks where Saint Duchesne and four other Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) arrived via steamer from St. Louis in 1841, then drive to Sugar Creek to join the Potawatomi pilgrimage, representing the meeting of these two cultures 192 years ago.

Any students or families that would like to join us are welcome to do so! We will share the itinerary and the historical documents that describe the journey and meeting. We will celebrate mass together at Sugar Creek.

If you plan to join us, email Dr. Hickman for details: lhickman@duchesneacademy.org