Why is the human heart drawn to take pilgrimages?

~A pilgrimage is really an intensification of life itself.  We choose to go as a way of embracing the journey of every soul’s journey to God.  It is not because of shrines and relics that we take these voyages, but because we sense intuitively that this holy journey is a rehearsal for death and resurrection.

~The spiritual journey/pilgrimage also involves leaving something behind. It involves letting go, trusting that what we love will be Ok without us (our jobs, family etc). It involves surrender to a power beyond us…because we do not know what the journey will bring.

~Loneliness is often our companion, even at times when we travel with others. No matter how focused we are on a destination, there are days when we travel “alone” – we feel cut off from home and loved ones.  But the hope is that you will return home and see the world in a whole new light!

~Tangible results from a pilgrimage may or may not be evident in your soul right away….often it is months later until you are aware of what the Lord has done in your soul.  For instance, some decision you make a year later may be the result of the path you walked on pilgrimage…

~On pilgrimage you can begin to evaluate or re-evaluate what home means to you.

~God himself called forth many in the Bible to go on pilgrimage (Mary, Joseph to Egypt, Moses and Israelites to desert etc).  He does so with us when we decide to take a pilgrimage. It is God calling to us and us answering him with a yes.

~Another dimension of the pilgrimage is the possibility that we will somehow be changed and returned renewed & alive again to our own little world with its wonders and graces.

~A person on a pilgrimage can get so fixed on his destination or the anticipation of some grand experience that they miss all the wonders along the way.  The challenge is not to be bored with the “getting” there aspect.

~Sometimes on pilgrimage we will see something that is awe inspiring Mt. Sinai! It is tempting to want to stay but the pilgrim’s way is to move on -surrendering to the relentless movement toward one’s destination.

~Who we are is how and where we have traveled (physically and spiritually).

~Pilgrimage can be offered for atonement for sins and you should always have a good sacramental confession and evaluation of where you have gone wrong, and a blessing before you set out.

~Pilgrimages are not about one place being more holy than another, for God is everywhere.  Making pilgrimages involves a response to something inside us that longs to move toward the holy beyond.

~Not everyday on a pilgrimage is an emotional high or a time of excitement or wonder–some days are just like the liturgical calendar-ordinary!  This “ordinary” time can be a very healing time!  We can take the time to look at what the story of our own pilgrimages are.  What is the story of your pilgrimage?

~There will be many difficulties and even disappointments on a pilgrimage.  It is best to submit to these with good humor.  If you can do this, it will help you to better be able to surrender and find joy with life’s greater disappointments.

~Pilgrimage to places where holy people before us have gone is a homage to and thanksgiving for the gift of their lives.

~An actual physical pilgrimage provides a metaphor that tests the human will and spirit the way that a liturgical season like lent or advent does!

~Tangible results from a pilgrimage may or may not be evident in your soul right away….often it is months later until you are aware of what the Lord has done in your soul.  For instance, some decision you make a year later may be the result of the path you walked on pilgrimage…

~A normal “traveler” will be bothered by travel complications or irritations along the way where as the pilgrim will view them as part of the journey – obstacles to be overcome with faith, hope and love!  Because the pilgrim is walking in the footsteps of Christ, there is joy in the trials.