A Non-Singles Event That Attracts Singles

Are you looking to meet and mingle with some great single people?

So I did this poll last year among my single friends about what they ideally want to see in singles event. The main answer was basically: something that didn't scream: SINGLES EVENT! Talk about pressure.

"What if we all stand around awkwardly? What if everybody's too old? What if everybody's too young? What if I don't know anyone? What if I already know everyone?!"

I'm not the brightest rocket in the drawer, but I'm hearing that it would be great to go to an event that just happened to attract lots of singles but was focused on something else.

I know just the one.

It is the annual Pilgrimage for Restoration, which takes place every September in Auriesville, NY. Auriesville is the site where a group of dedicated French Jesuit missionaries, led by St. Isaac Jogues, gave their lives to bring the gospel to the Native American Hurons.

Now, hundreds of years later, and for more than twenty-five years the Pilgrimage has been an event in which graces flow over the Americans of our time. Among these graces is that singles have discerned their vocations. Men have heard and answered the call to the priesthood. Women have said yes to becoming brides of Our Lord in religious life. And yes, many faithful Catholics have met the person they would marry.

How do I know about all this? My husband is the organizer, so we are uniquely placed to hear about the manifold graces that occur. Just so you don't think this is a commercial, I will state up front that the Pilgrimage is not a cash cow. The fees are minimal and go towards campgrounds, insurance, food, water, porta-potties, Uhauls, the cost to transport priests, and more. I'm telling you about it for your sake. It's awesome.

Its purpose has never been to attract singles and yet it does.

It's a good thing because it involves a lot of walking!

The Pilgrimage is a retreat on your feet. "We are penitents of all ages and walks of life, tracing the footsteps of the French & Huron martyrs of New France, confessing and praying to God to restore his likeness by grace in our hearts, hearths, and homelands."

The route begins at Lake George, which St. Isaac Jogues named the Lake of the Blessed Sacrament. (It sounds even better in French, Lac du Saint Sacrement.) From there, pilgrims walk about twenty miles a day for three days.

Each day begins with a Latin Mass (which is celebrated by priests in full communion with Rome), after which is breakfast, then walking, praying, singing, going to Confession, taking breaks, praying, singing, lining up outside the porta-potties, telling jokes, praying and singing some more, talking, and laughing. At the end of the day is dinner, rest, campfire songs, skits, and sore feet. You then tumble into your sleeping bag inside your tent or car or trailer, exhausted but happy.

People say they've made some of the best friends of their lives there.

If you are discerning your vocation, this is a good place to pray to be open to God's will.

Going back to the fact that it's not actually a singles event per say, it follows that you can't go there only for that purpose. For one thing, people can usually tell and that would ruin your chances. (One year a guy went to the Pilgrimage to follow a girl he liked and was asked, after some stalking, to leave.)

So, as much as it's a great place to meet someone, you should go for the real purpose, to meet God. While you are there, ask him to tell you your vocation. If it is matrimony, ask him to show you your spouse—whether there or somewhere else.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." Matthew 6:33. Many pilgrims have experienced the truth of these words firsthand.

Whether you can make the Pilgrimage this year or not, you can attend other non-singles events in the same spirit. Some ideas are: serving the poor at a food pantry, doing pro-life work, and helping at parish events. Not only are these all low pressure opportunities to meet other singles, but you can grow closer to God and ask for the grace to discover what He wants for your life.