A Summer of Astounding Pilgrimages

A Pilgrimage is a journey of hope and a sign of God’s enduring love through the ages. God does not operate in linear time like we do, so when we glimpse into history around the world, we see the happenings of today as well. This is the spiritual warfare that has always gone on between good and evil.

A Pilgrimage informs each one of us that we must fight for our own soul. It’s always been this way.

Catholicism leads the way on this and always has. Marian apparitions are crucial and should be studied and heeded in my opinion. They are deemed private revelation by the Church, but I believe that it is in our best interest to listen and follow the Blessed Mother’s instructions. Simply put, she always calls us to follow her son, Jesus. And, who better to listen to then the Mother of God!

The first Pilgrimage that Mike and I attended took place in the countries of Portugal, Spain, and France. In these beautiful countries we stayed, processed, and prayed at the holy Shrines of Our Lady of Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, and our Lady of Lourdes. Just recalling the experiences brings tears to my eyes.

Our International Pilgrimage was one of assurance of God‘s daily promise, providence, and protection done with a group of people who were all looking to be filled with faith in some way. The trip did not disappoint.

We traveled with his Excellency Bishop Strickland, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas and Sister Dede Byrne, Mother Superior of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Washington, DC. These two humble, religious powerhouses were gifts to behold as they led our small group of pilgrims along the Portuguese and Spanish Coasts and into the Pyrenees Mountains in France.

Bishop Strickland celebrated Mass every day in the most beautiful side chapels I’ve ever seen and most days the Mass was Novus Ordo in Latin with a beautiful homily. His reverence and humility for the Eucharist was unmatched. Throughout the trip, he consistently recalled his love of the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist and urged us to focus on these two things. And, what I noticed is that these two pillars of the Catholic faith were always present above the altar at every church, Cathedral, and Monastery we visited. He gave us miraculous medals as reminders to always remember these two pillars of our faith.

Sister Dede is known for her amazing pilgrimages. She is a Roman Catholic religious sister, missionary, surgeon, and retired U.S. Army Colonel.  Because she has a heart focused on serving the poor and the marginalized, especially the unborn, we were always served by her in both body and soul. She was a delight to walk beside in her flowing white habit to pray with, talk to, and to experience her love and humility for all those around us – even those we did not know.

These two amazing souls made the pilgrimage a grand experience. They both would scold me for even writing about them here because they would want the focus to be on Our Lady and Jesus. But, I want you to know that the religious you travel with on Pilgrimage will make all the difference in my view.

Getting back to the Shrines. I have loved our lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes since I was young. I have always known about the Fatima “miracle of the sun” that converted thousands of people back in 1918 and the healing miracles of Lourdes in 1858.

What many people don’t understand is that the Blessed Mother always comes to warn us to repent, sacrifice, and pray the rosary so that we will return or stay close to our faith. She still appears today asking us to fast and pray – always throwing in miracles to help our belief. There is always some type of event in history that she is warning us about. But normally, most of us don’t listen. We are too busy with worldly things.

She especially draws us to the rosary, which is the gospel and scripture in meditation form. Through this meditation she points us to the Eucharist, confession, and to adoration. That’s all she does in every single apparition, both approved and unapproved. She wants the whole world to know her son Jesus. And like a faithful mother, she reminds us of the importance of listening to the Father – where the body and soul are safe and can rest. Fatima and Lourdes remind us to do just this!

The stop in Santiago de Compostela was just as profound. Pilgrims on foot, horse or bike traveled as far as 400 miles arriving at the Cathedral of Saint James with us, all giving thanks for our lives and faith. This shrine is dedicated to The Way. Many pilgrims are trying to find Jesus on this earthly journey through Europe. Again, we turn to the Blessed Mother who is always pointing us to Jesus as The Way. It was a beautiful experience and my husband and I decided that one day we’d like to go back and bike the Camino of Santiago de Compostela.

We flew back home just in time for me to attend the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. And although it did not have the flair of European history that is so important to Catholicism, it was filled with great mystical beauty. To see a national football stadium filled with 60,000 people adoring our Lord in the Eucharist was overpowering. Because it was so close to our home, I met family and friends at every turn and this was edifying and uplifting. It showed the beauty of community and how we all are just journeying toward heaven through the Sacraments. The talks, Masses, and music were beautiful. It was definitely an American experience. We are all on some “Way” somewhere.

I urge you to go on a Pilgrimage. Plan it now and go with a group of people who you love and can journey with in like mind and soul. The pilgrims you travel with are an important part of the journey. Remember, the Blessed Mother is asking us all to pray and fast and to repent! If we all do this, we will avert wars and conquer the evil that is so apparent in our world today. It begins with each one us. Isn’t it amazing that just by fasting and praying we could have peace and yet most Catholics won’t do it.

I know you will! Keep fasting and praying – no matter how imperfectly. God bless you.