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This past week, Royalmont Academy’s 7th and 8th grade students took part in a deeply meaningful Maria Stein pilgrimage. As one of three official pilgrimage sites in our Archdiocese for the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Maria Stein Shrine offered a rare opportunity for students to connect with the saints, grow in faith, and bond with one another.

This experience directly supported Royalmont Academy’s mission to form strong Christian leaders through intentional accompaniment and the four pillars of integral formation: spiritual, intellectual, human, and apostolic.

Encountering Saints at the Maria Stein Shrine

The students began their day at the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, home to the second-largest collection of relics in the United States. Over 1,200 relics are reverently displayed in the Chapel of the Relics, giving students a powerful connection to the lives of the saints.

Even more impactful was the opportunity to venerate a fragment of the True Cross, one of the most sacred relics in the Catholic tradition. Fr. Jesus held the relic for students to see and touch. Many used the opportunity to place rosaries, medals, and holy cards against the relic, creating third-class relics to take home with them.

This sacred moment invited reflection, reverence, and awe. Students left the shrine with a deeper understanding of the Church’s history and the universal call to holiness.
👉 Learn more about the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics

Learning Etiquette Through Fellowship and Dining

After the spiritual experience at the shrine, the group traveled to the Spaghetti Warehouse in Dayton. More than just a fun stop, this lunch provided a real-life opportunity to practice dining etiquette and social graces.

Students were encouraged to be mindful of table manners, gratitude, and polite conversation. These small lessons support human formation, helping students build confidence, respect, and awareness in social situations. Sharing a meal together also allowed students to bond and build stronger friendships.

Exploring History and Innovation at the Air Force Museum

The day concluded with a visit to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the largest military aviation museum in the world. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the museum houses more than 360 aircraft, missiles, and aerospace vehicles.

Students explored exhibits from World War II, the Cold War, and the Space Age. They saw the Apollo 15 Command Module, iconic bombers, and even retired Air Force One planes used by past presidents.

This part of the pilgrimage supported intellectual formation, encouraging curiosity, wonder, and an appreciation for the innovations that have shaped history.
👉 Discover more at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Living the Mission of Royalmont Academy

This Maria Stein pilgrimage beautifully brought to life all four dimensions of Royalmont’s formation model:

• Spiritual: Veneration of relics and deeper prayer

• Intellectual: Learning through museums and guided reflection

• Human: Social development and etiquette training

• Apostolic: Witnessing faith in public and honoring tradition

These moments of encounter are not extras—they are essential. At Royalmont, we walk alongside students in every aspect of life, helping them grow into saints, scholars, and leaders who seek truth, live virtuously, and serve with joy.

Experience the Difference at Royalmont

Curious about how Royalmont Academy integrates faith and formation across every grade level?
Schedule a tour to see how our unique model is helping students grow in faith, confidence, and purpose.