Sherbrooke: 100th Bicycle Pilgrimage from Le Salésien

By Fr. Derek Van Daniker, SDB

(Sherbrooke, QC – July 23) – This year marks the 34th year of Bosco Bicycle, including the 100th group pictured here. This year’s week-long cycling expedition covered 150 miles (250 km) along busy highways and unpaved backroads of the eastern townships in southeastern Quebec. The itinerary included such sights as one of the last covered bridges of Quebec, the pristine Lac Megantic (one of thousands upon thousands of lakes in Canada), and—a particular high point in the trip—a Mass on Mt. Saint-Joseph (a stunning height within the Appalachian Mountains). Fr. Alain Leonard was assisted by Fr. Derek Van Daniker in this year’s three expeditions in July in order to accompany the 13-15 year-olds each week from the secondary school Seminaire Salésien of Sherbrooke. At the end of the journey, the immense pride the 30 young campers had in making it back safe and sound can only be eclipsed by the personal growth, spiritually and emotionally, they experienced through the leadership of the young counselors (all recent alumni of Le Salésien) and the SDBs helping the young to lead the young.