A Pilgrim Heart
I am excited to embark on another pilgrimage, this time a Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes. I chuckle at how God works in our lives. I have never had this big desire to go to Fatima or Lourdes and randomly on Memorial Day weekend while at the pool, we were talking about places in the world we would like to visit. My immediate response was Lourdes. I was a little surprised by my instant response as it was not on my radar to actually visit there anytime soon. Fast forward three months, I am preparing to head to Lourdes.
This will be my third pilgrimage. Going on pilgrimage is an immense privilege and has taught me so much about myself, my relationship with God, and my faith.
The first pilgrimage I went on was to The Holy Land. This was one that I really had never thought of prior to signing up, and honestly, one of the reasons I signed up to go was to travel with one of my good friends who was the priest leading the trip. I did not realize that I could actually visit the places in the Bible. It seemed like a foreign concept to walk and pray in the exact places Jesus and the disciples walked and prayed. This particular pilgrimage taught me that our plans mean nothing as this trip was postponed twice then cancelled, two days before the flight, due to covid. I was so bitter and angry that I refused to unpack my suitcase and lived out of it for the next week. That cancellation turned into one of the biggest blessings of my life as I eventually went, but not with my friend, with 48 strangers and opened the door to many opportunities and friendships that have produced much fruit in my life.
Walking in the places where the Gospel took place is inspiring. I came back a changed person. I remember my first Mass back in the States. The Gospel reading was the Transfiguration. Tears in my eyes as the Deacon read the Gospel, and my boyfriend looked at me and mouthed, “Are you okay?” I was experiencing the Gospel as if I was standing there in real life, because a week prior I had been. The Gospels seem more real after walking and sitting in these places. There is also a deeper level of understanding and clarity of the customs, traditions, and meaning of the scriptures. The moment that was heart wrenching and transformative was sitting on the side of the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem with our tour guide, Rami, describing in detail for 45 minutes Jesus’ last day and the crucifixion. Boy, is it watered down in modern society to seem not as gruesome and horrifying. It truly was a sacrifice beyond comprehension.
A year later, I went with the same group leaders and chaplain to Italy. With a fully Italian grandfather and a deep love for the Catholic Church, this was a bucket list trip. I ate my weight in gelato and pasta and looked in amazement at the most beautiful churches in the world. Exploring the history of Jesus’ Church and venerating Saints throughout Italy brought a new conviction of striving for holiness.
The thing I have learned from going on pilgrimage is that a pilgrim heart should be a state of my heart beyond an itinerary to Holy Sites around the world. What exactly is a pilgrim heart? For me, a pilgrim heart is trusting in the Lord with what He has planned for me. My plan for the Holy Land trip was so small compared to the path God has taken me down since I boarded the flight to Tel Aviv. A pilgrim heart for me also means allowing God’s peace to lead my life. Whether a decision or the timing of events seems wrong by societal standards or not, God’s peace is leading the way in each decision and moment. A pilgrim heart for me also remembers that this earth is not my home. My home is in Heaven with God the Father, and the choices I make and the manner in which I live are part of the journey there. A pilgrim heart also means journeying with others in community. For me, a community is doing life together rooted in scripture through the valleys and the mountaintops, and along each path up and down the summits. Lastly, a pilgrim heart to me means not concerning myself or worrying about what is next in life. It is living in the current moment, enjoying the blessings of that particular day, and thanking God for both the mountaintops and the valleys. For there would be no mountaintop without a valley.
Interested in following along on my Marian Pilgrimage? I will be sharing updates from the journey on a GroupMe.
Have you desired to learn more about the Holy Land or hoped to go on pilgrimage there and just cannot for whatever reason? Try Tours with Rami. He was the tour guide on my trip and truly created an environment where the Gospels came alive. His videos bring the Holy Land to life from the comfort of your home.
Are you considering a pilgrimage to a Holy Place around the world? I recommend Duc In Altum Pilgrimages. Their focus is a spiritual pilgrimage that deepens your relationship with God through authentic friendship and meeting you where you are at.
Want to do a pilgrimage, but cannot travel around the world. Consider domestic sites. Some great domestic sites to visit or add as a stop on an planned trip:
The Shrine of Stanley Rother in Oklahoma City (A movie about his life is about to be released.)
An easy (long) day or weekend trip from Dallas!
Washington D.C.
The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
Saint John Paul II National Shrine
The Painted Churches in Texas
The Missions of California
Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, Florida (This is home to the first Mass in what would become the United States)
St. Cabrini Shrine just outside Denver, Colorado