Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey of any length where the destination and the travelling are done in a way that feeds the soul

Modern life chips away at our spirit and soul; we have to hand over our identity to web giants and are expected to stay connected 24/7. Likewise advertisers seem to know more about us than we do ourselves and feed on our natural instincts and desires. Then there is the moral injury that comes from not having the time to give to others in the way that we feel we should.  All this puts holes in the well of our spirituality.

A good fix is to visit somewhere that inspires us - art gallery, museum or concert. These things remind us that there is beauty and wonder to be discovered. But a pilgrimage is more, it fills the well of strength in our souls, reminds us who we are and blocks up some of those holes that are draining our spirit. It means we leave the site of pilgrimage stronger and more able to connect with others in a way that brings peace to them and us.

A pilgrimage can be a car journey followed by a short walk, or a 40 mile trek down the Appian Way, or any variation

1. Start purposefully, reflect on the baggage you take with you, literal and emotional. Leave behind items from both you don't need. But never, ever wait until you are ready to set off, leave before you're ready, be a bit Bilbo Baggins and leave a vital handkerchief behind!
2. Just before you leave, sit for a moment and say the Lord's Prayer. May Our Lord direct you to meet Him and others along the way
3. Journey with purpose but not strategy - don't plan the day, you may end up cutting a conversation short in order to get to the next place on time
4. Greet each person you meet with more kindness than the last, reflect that you are God's gift to them that day
5. Wander in to St Mary's - no forced marches to the door. Get your bearings, expect to see God and to see a miracle, Sister Joanna says this of pilgrimage "Miracles happen where people are looking for them"
6. Wander around the Shrine and talk to God, wait and listen and He will answer. Perhaps sit and wonder, take one of the set prayers and pray it several times. If the prayer dish is there use the pebbles, if it's the trees of reconciliation walk through them or if the prayer garden is there then count your blessings, because it's a very rare installation in the Shrine.
7. Finally don't hurry away but when it's time to go, make the journey home part of the pilgrimage. No ticks in boxes, no "done that" - ask instead what God has in store for you next

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again to our doors