Tag: catholic

One of our older sons, JP, lives in Austria, well, for only three more weeks. He’s been living and studying on Franciscan University’s Gaming campus and travelling through Austria and other European countries since mid January.

Thanks to my parents for a three-month-early 25th wedding anniversary gift for us, my husband and I went on a parents’ pilgrimage week to visit our son. A spiritual, emotional,  educational, and in-all-ways beautiful experience that I could not have imagined. Praise God!

I could write a book on the ten-day pilgrimage…and, only God knows, I may. But for now, I wish to share a tiny moment in time that delivered a powerful perspective from our guide, Sr. Sophia Grace Huschka, T.O.R.

On the morning of our first full day, we travelled via double-decker bus to Haubis Bakery for a tour and tastings. When we returned to our bus, we continued our travel day with Sister Sophia Grace leading us in a Rosary then she shared thoughts on “pilgrimage.” (Please forgive me, Sister, if I use your exact words without due acknowledgment; I’m not sure which words are yours and which are mine scribbled on my journal pages. So, we’ll share together and give any goodness from the words for the greater glory of God!)

There is a vast difference between travelling as a tourist versus travelling as a pilgrim. Our week was not merely keeping up with the itinerary to see sights and learn information, but also moving through the days and nights with a particular kind of mental and spiritual mindset. Pilgrimage is not about distance, but depth.

Pilgrims invest themselves. We enter into the world as Jesus would and does; we strive to be open to see the world as He sees and then reflect on those experiences. (And reflect for a while, I will do.) A true pilgrim steps out of his own, regular life and immerses himself into the experiences of the moment.

A pilgrim should be affected by these experiences in some ways—metanoia, continual conversion. He should feel and fully experience the impact which is, in the very least, just as important as the destination.

Pilgrims enjoy community. During our time, we shared in daily Mass, prayed together, shared all the experiences, learned from one another, and found and grew new relationships. (Again, this could be a whole book!)

Finally, the journey, the destination, and all the mental, physical, spiritual dimensions and realities along the way…through these, we pilgrims experience the love of Jesus and grow more deeply in love with Him.

I took Sister Sophia Grace’s words, example, and wisdom to heart for those pilgrimage days and journeyed as a pilgrim. And I must proclaim that I will never travel the same way again nor will I live exactly as I have before. Life is a sacred journey and must be lived as such daily. 

A heartfelt thank you to my mom and dad for the gift, all the staff and faculty on the Gaming campus, Sr. Maria Teresa Tortorice, T.O.R., the T.O.R. friars in Gaming, Fr. Dave Pivonka, T.O.R., and Sr. Sophia Grace Huschka, T.O.R.