Mercy Continues

Even though life has been in the way of updating this blog, that does not mean my thoughts have stopped…nor my experiences as a pilgrim.

My pilgrimage to Assisi, Rome, and Krakow has seemed to have left an indelible mark on my spirit. During my travels, I visited new places and returned to old. I met new people and saw familiar faces in a different light. I tried new things and engaged in the same routine with a renewed vision. I walked through doors of Mercy that have been opened to pilgrims for hundreds of years, strolled down roads in the home town of saints, and stood in silence before the Gates of Hell.  I visited the home town of a beloved pope and listened to the wisdom of another. I found joy in difficult moments and saw hope flourish from the ashes of hate. 

My suitcase didn’t come back heavier with souvenirs. I couldn’t seem to stop for a moment to go shopping because I wanted to experience every movement to it’s fullest. I did end up bringing back with me two things: Mercy and Trust. 

As it was the Year of Mercy, this is a no brainer.  The Divine Mercy Chaplet was said throughout the pilgrimage, we walked the pilgrimage walk of Mercy in Rome, and in every reflection we heard from the Pope, a Cardinal, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, or Lay Person Mercy was in their words.  We were in the chapel where Christ asked us to pray for Divine Mercy and received Mercy through the sacrament of Reconciliation in its shadow.  

In the Field of Mercy pilgrims could receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. In the background is the Shrine of Divine Mercy built next to the small chapel (green roof) where St. Faustina received Jesus’ message to give the Divine Mercy Image to the world along with the Divine Mercy Chaplet. 

Trust was another gift that was given. On pilgrimage, you often have to rely on the goodness and kindness of others. You have to trust others to lead you where you need to go or trust that you can find your own way. You have to trust that you can figure out problems when they arise. You have to trust that you will be able to walk when you feel like your feet cannot carry you any further. The phrase “Jesus, I trust in You,” echoed in my heart with every step I took. When I faltered and failed to trust, those words came back and I literally saw the light (true story: I was looking for a candle during the evening vigil in Campus Misericordiae and started to panic with the thought that I wasn’t going to take part in this important moment. I left my group and found found where they were distributing the candles. Relieved, I came back to my group, only to find that they already received candles. Should have trusted…).  

Me waking up in Campus Misericordae along with a million of my closest friends. 

So why am I writing this now? I’ve been back for six months. Why now?

My beloved country is on the eve of a tradition that has taken place 44 times in its history: the peaceful transition of power from one president to another. There are strong opinions and thoughts on both sides. Celebration and fear. Hope and despair. Optimism and pessimism.  Activism and apathy. Civility and bullying. Pulling each other up while some push others down. We’ve seem to be a country of extremes. 

While I am not happy with the results of the election, as we were reminded while watching “Sherlock” on PBS, “It is what it is.” We can’t change the results of the election. We just can’t. But we can change how we respond. 

My prayer for the United States of America is three fold: One for Mercy, One for Trust, and one for Unity.

Prayer for Mercy: Mercy, as I have come to understand it, is the loving compassion we can show another person, even if we feel like they don’t deserve it. Giving and showing Mercy is one of the strongest things anyone can do. This election cycle has challenged me in this aspect. I am not a fan of the man that was elected president. His words and deeds have hurt me, have marginalized others, and have been against my values (especially on the topics of giving dignity to each human life). And yet I am called to love him as a child of God. I am called to give him Mercy. That does not mean staying silent when his actions will end up hurting others or go against the values of Catholic Social Teaching. It is the duty of every citizen to speak up for the marginalized and give voice to the voiceless.  But we must do it with Mercy. We must speak about our neighbors with compassion and understanding. We must continue to give and be love even if we don’t agree. At the end of the day, our next president is just a human man, with faults and, though this is an assumption, a sad, lonely life. And our neighbors who we disagree with want to find their place in the world as much as we do. Name calling and spewing hate will not win battles. It will only deepen the wound. As St. Faustina wrote, “Be always Merciful.” 

Prayer for Trust: There’s a lot of apprehension and uncertainty within many of my fellow citizens, myself included. Change is scary especially if we didn’t want the kind of change we are receiving. If we are to look to someone’s past as a predictor of what they might do in the future…well, we might have the right to be nervous. Those who depend on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance are right to be concerned that they may loose it. Those who depend on the DREAM act to receive dignity as a worker have a right to be anxious. There is a lot to be uncertain of and we have the duty, the obligation to take action if our neighbor’s dignity is under threat. Even through all of this, we are called to trust. “Jesus, I trust in You,” the saying at the feet of Jesus in the Divine Mercy image, isn’t there because it makes a pretty border.  It’s there because that’s what Christ is asking us to do: trust in Him. Through that trust, mercy can flow. Through that trust, our hearts open to loving others more purely. Through that trust, we find solace and comfort. It’s like when Jesus called Peter to walk out of the boat and into the storm. Peter initially thought that the safest place was where he was standing, on the wooden floor of the boat. When he gave in and allowed himself to fully trust in Jesus he was able to walk out into the raging water and clearly see the face of Christ. We might be walking into a storm of uncertainty and despair right now, but when we trust in God…oh the wonders that we can achieve! Imagine a world of love and forgiveness and mercy. When we open ourselves and listen to what God is calling us to do and to be, we can make something beautiful together!

Prayer for Unity: We can’t do anything alone. That might need to be America’s mantra for the next few years. I can’t do anything alone. When I push people away, I miss out on the opportunity to learn from someone else, even if it is a clearer understanding of what we disagree on. I can’t do my job without interacting with others. I can’t go to the grocery story without realizing that the food I am buying was placed on the shelf by a person, and before that, was packaged by a group of people, and before that was grown by human hands. Everything I own is because of interconnections of our existence. Martin Luther King Jr. once said:  “In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be… This is the inter-related structure of reality.” When my neighbor’s house is on fire, I can’t stand there and watch it burn because my house might catch fire next. In order for me to succeed, my neighbor has to succeed along with me.  On the night I was searching for a candle, Pope Francis was delivering a homily. I remember very clearly hearing Pope Francis call for us the young people of the world, to do one simple task: Build bridges made of living hands reaching out to each other. 

There is so much good in each other that we miss it when we are focusing on our differences. When we are yelling and accusing, we forget to treat the other with love and respect as God has called us to. What would happen if we challenge ourselves to work with or talk to someone whose political background is different than our own? I’m guessing the bridges of prejudice and judgement would disappear and we will instead gain a deeper appreciation for the unique, loved person that they are. We might even find that we share some of the same values. In other words…

Leslie Knope is my spirit animal. I once, unknowingly, ate at the same waffle restaurant in Washington DC as she did in “Parks and Recreation.” When I found out, I about died out of sheer happiness. 

On this inauguration day, I’m going to spend it doing what I always do: go to work, interact with a vast array of people, and help whenever I can. I’ll probably add in there a Divine Mercy Chaplet (or 3). Join me in prayer if you would like. Exercise your constitutional right to express your thoughts and opinions. Be kind to your neighbor. Be Mercy. 

Pax et Bonum  Peace and All Goodness

Vicky

PS: I created a playlist that was inspired by this pilgrimage. Enjoy!

We've Arrived in Kraków!

Once we landed in Kraków, we were back on busses and headed to Wadowice, JPII's childhood home. I loved the drive to the small town. Poland is lovely! Lots of trees, mountains, and country houses. In Italy, all of the homes looked alike. Here in Poland, there are lots of different colored houses. It was a nice change of pace. Arriving in Wadowice, we got our first taste of visiting with pilgrims (outside of the airport). We had to walk from the bus parking lot to the main town. Along the way, we greeted pilgrims walking the other way. Hello! Hola! Bonjour! It was great. We finally approached the town and said a prayer in front of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church, where JPII received his sacraments of initiation, including baptism. He lived next door in a very simple apartment. As we were being dismissed for free time, I turned and saw one of my mentors from college, Mark Erdosy, director of the San Damiano Scholars at Marian University. Of all of the pilgrims to see on my first stop, I was happy it was him. We walked around the city talking and with my pilgrim buddy, Kat, we learned how to order pizza in Poland. We kept talking as we went to have Napoleonka, a cream cake that John Paul had every day ok his way home from work. It was delicious. While we were chatting, I couldn't help but thank JPII for inspiring all of my faith mentors. They, like JPII, walked with young people on their journeys to help them find their vocation. We then took our busses back to the hotel to check in. We received our pilgrim packs, but found that we were missing some things. Kevin Driscoll, who should be a saint after this pilgrimage, is currently as I type this at 12:30 am, is out getting our books. He doesn't get enough credit, but this whole pilgrimage couldn't functions without him. Now time for bed (after I washed a load of clothes in the sink). Tuesday we go to German Concentration Camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Please pray for us as we enter a very sacred space. Peace and all goodness! Vicky

Italy Adventure!

It's been a whirl wind last few days. I've felt like I've been in Italy a month and it's only been 4 days. Here's a list of some of the things we did: On Friday, we landed in Rome and took a bus to Assisi. Wonderful, peaceful, prayerful Assisi. I love this town. I would live in this town if I could. Besides the medieval architecture, there's so much history and spiritually in it. I've been to Assisi before, New Years of 2007/2008, and we stayed a long time there, so it felt like coming home. Our hotel was right next door to the first church and Holy Door we entered. This being the year of Mercy, you'll hear me talk a lot about the Holy Doors that are opened only during jubilee years. They are special doors inviting everyone to become pilgrims, journeying towards a new life. This being the Year of Mercy, we are called to a deeper understanding of what it means to be merciful. Friday night we got off the bus and walked straight to the Basilica of St, Mary of the Angels. The basilica is built over the Portiuncula, the first church St. Francis rebuilt, where St. Clare professed her vows to God and where St. Francis died. After we passed through the Portiuncula, we went straight to a side chapel where we said Mass. I was in my own little world. I was back in my favorite place ever walking in the footsteps of one of my spiritual role models. I needed a minute to collect my thoughts and prayers. The next day we explored the main town of Assisi. We first went to St. Francis Basilica. I was in heaven. I've been feeling rushed with travel, but when I stepped thorough those Holy Doors, I was right back to when I first began. We went straight to the tomb of St. Francis where we said Mass. We were walking on holy ground. His tomb is simple, just a rock column surrounded by some of his closest friends. Popes and Saints have visited him. Other religious leaders from different faiths have visited him. The poor have visited him. We are walking in those shoes. I was blessed to be able to be the lector at that mass. To do so, you have to stand very close to the tomb. I felt like the Little Brother was right there with his hand on my shoulder as if to give me the courage to proclaim the readings. I sat down and had to take a moment. When mass was done we went to the upper chapel and explored the wonderful frescos. One of my favorite artists is Giotto, who happened to be the artist who did most of the paintings. After the Basilica, we went to see the Basilica of St. Clare down the road. Assisi is a very small town And you can easily walk from one side of the town to the other in little time. Walking through the streets, memories flowed thorough me. I saw the main Piazza where I once celebrated New Years with the locals. I passed the little toy shop I on earth browsed through. I saw the church of St. Francis' parents. I love that city. St. Clare's is a more simple church, but in its simplicity you can get to the heart if Clare's calling: prayer. We first knelt in front of the original San Damiano crucifix, one that is said to have spoken to St. Francis to go "rebuild my church." The prayer before the crucifix was written in front of that cross. Throughout Assisi I found myself weeping silently before these holy images and saints. We're called to imitate them as they imitate Christ. I wondered if I was living up to my calling. Side note: in that chapel I lit a candle for the San Damiano Scholars from my alma matter, Marian University in Indianapolis. It was that program that helped form me into the lay leader I am today and I wouldn't be where I am without my Marian family. We then moved to the tomb of St. Clare, whose body is on display. Around her tomb are images of her life. There's a small kneeler in front of the room her body lies in and you can see her body through a glass window. When I was praying, a nun came in the room Clare lies in and started cleaning the room, making sure it looks nice. I loved that image even after hundreds of years, her sisters are still taking care of her. Assisi is a city where I will always leave a piece of my heart. We then left Assisi for Rome! First stop was St. Paul's Outside the Walls. I've been to Rome before but never there. We walked through the Holy Door (number 3) and walked around inside. Benedictines were saying vespers, filling the large church with the ancient prayers of the Church. The custodian of the Basilica is an American Cardinal who is a friend of Bishop Don's. Sadly he was not home to give us a tour. We the did a driving tour of the city, seeing many of the sites like the colosseum, circus Maximus, and so many others. (So many that I can't remember). We came back to the hotel and had a huge dinner (well, huge to us, it was a traditional meal for the Italians: 4 courses). The I went to bed. The next day was jam packed with so much stuff. Sunday started with us going to St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. We took the pilgrim walk down the way of Mercy, a special path just for pilgrims who wish to make the prayerful journey through the Holy Door st St. Peter's. Our group carried a cross and we sang songs and said prayers along the way. To me it felt like we were part of an ancient tradition, joining the long list of pilgrims who had walked through those holy doors. Inside we also were able to take a special path up the central isle to get close to St. Peter. We then had some free time to look around. I walked around and observed the workings of the Church. Sunday liturgy was going on at the upper altar and a side chapel. People were praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The sacrament of Reconciliation was being heard in multiple languages. We even saw a baptism of a small baby. I kept thinking, "this is our faith. This is the faith of the Church." The Church isn't something old and decaying, but living and thriving. Made up of living stones. It was a beautiful moment. Some people I was with decided that it would be a good idea to climb to the very top of the dome of St. Peter's. It was a crazy climb but the view from the top was incredible. During part of the climb you actually walk inside St. Peter's and can look down at the people below. We were able to see he moment of consecration during the main Mass. We then rushed down the stairs and outside just in time to hear Pope Francis' Angelus address. Yes! We saw the pope! He was in his library window. He mentioned that there were some pilgrims for World Youth Day present and then he said "I will see you in Kraków!" That made my day. We had lunch and rushed to two more major basilicas: St John Lateran and St. Mary Major. St. John Lateran is where St. Francis went to present his rule to the pope. I thought it was fitting that there was a group of Franciscans there on a tour. St. Mary Major was the first church dedicated to Mary. We celebrated Mass in the magnificent Borghese chapel, where Pope Francis goes to pray before his trips. We then were able to go on a walking tour (thanks Kevin!) of the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps (under construction- no stepping tonight), Piazza Novona, and the Pantheon. We ate pizza at Angi's favorite pizza place and had gelato under the Pantheon. It was wonderful. Today, Monday, we said Mass at the tomb of St. John Paul II in St. Peter's. Wow. What a great way to begin World Youth Day week! To pray before the man who started it all and is now one of its patron saints! I was at John Paul's last WYD in Toronto, so to be there in his presence again was beautiful. Now we just landed in KRAKÓW!!!! More later! Pax Et Bene! Vicky

We made it to Europe! We had a 7ish hour flight from Chicago to Berlin. Now we are waiting for our flight to Rome. From there, we will take a bus to Assisi. I'm exhausted (no sleep on the plane) and excited. So that combination has made me slap happy (ask Amanda. I've been singing One Direction ever since we landed). I always get excited when I wake up in a different state. Now I'm in a different country. Wow. There's people speaking different languages, our breakfast on the flight was sliced meat, cheese, yogurt and a dinner roll with jam. Friends. I'm excited. Ok. Going to use the rest of my hour of wifi to catch up on social medal. Pray for us as we pray for you! (Picture is a sneaky pic of Bishop Emeritus Dale Melczek)

It’s 3:00 in the morning and I can’t sleep

My mind has been racing all day.  I had a lot of work at work to get done before I left that I was so focused on it I didn’t let it sink in until later that I was leaving for my pilgrimage tomorrow (well, today).  I left work at 7:30ish to go pick up some postcards I had made as a swap item and then went to Panera’s to pick up dinner.  On my way to Panera’s, I realized that this is it. 

I was at the threshold.  

On Thursday, July 21, I would depart for a journey I’ve been preparing for for 3 years.  I ordered my food, sat down, and texted my best friend, “I’m sitting at Panera on the verge of tears (both from exhaustion from a long day, but also because it’s finally here).”  I got my food, went back to my car, and the tears started coming.  I’m not sure why, but I had this overwhelming feeling of joy and wonder.  

If I think I was ever called to be anything in my life, it is to be a pilgrim. 

To take that first step.  To see that first sight.  To meet that first person.  I can’t wait.  

First stop, Chicago, and then off to Berlin to catch a flight to Rome and then a bus to Assisi.  

Follow along with me here, as well as on facebook, twitter, and Instagram.  Heck, I might even do this whole snapchat thing (add me: mynameis_vicky )

Last time I was in Assisi, I took a picture of this walkway.  St. Clare walked on this path to the Portiuncula, the first church St. Francis rebuilt.  There, Clare renounced her secular life, cut off her hair and in turn her family times, and declared that she wanted to live for God and serve God’s people.  

“Are you ready for World Youth Day?”

I hear this just about any time I mention that next week I’m leaving the country (I love typing that) and heading to WYD.  My brain starts racing. NEXT WEEK?  THE TRIP OF MY DREAMS STARTS NEXT WEEK?!?!?! I haven’t learned Polish yet, I don’t know how to easily convert money or temperature.  I haven’t finished that book I was going to read.  I’m still planning my swap item.  I haven’t picked out every piece of clothing I’m bringing with me.  I still have 10000 things to do at work.  How can this pilgrimage that I said yes to three years ago be next week?

Mighty Minimalism (Packing Tips Part 2)

Just kidding! Don’t bring lemon juice (unless you pack it in your checked luggage.  That little lemon juice would not adhere to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.)

When thinking about packing toiletries, you need to sort out what you want to pack in your checked luggage and what you want in your carry on.  In your checked bag, you can put have any size liquid.  Want to take that huge bottle of shampoo with you to Italy? You can if you want.  In your carry on, you have to follow the 3-1-1 rule:  Each passenger is allowed in their carry on 1 clear, 1 quart bag for any liquids, jells, or pastes, as long as it is in a container 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.  

I’m going to show you how I packed enough toiletries for a week in my 30L pack I used for a carry on.  Then I’ll create a list of tips and resources below to help you pack.  

Two notes before I go on.  The first is that I packed what I needed.  Everyone’s needs are different so if you need to bring something specific, as the kids would say: you do you.  The second note is that I’m preparing to pack for a pilgrimage.  While for work I may need to take an hour to get ready and create a 10 step make up routine, for a pilgrimage, my mindset is different.  I’m going for simple, not extravagant.  OK... here we go.

Here’s the bags/loose items I took with me on my last trip:

Let’s go with the non-liquids bag first.

I got this makeup bag a few years ago from H&M.  It’s about 7 inches by 5 inches and has two compartments (one main and one on the side.  Inside looked like this:

I had with me:

-eye lash curler -travel toothbrush -bobby pins -small comb -makeup brushes (one fluffy, one eyeliner) -clear lip liner -travel size eyeliner -simple, neutral eye pallet (Naked Basics from Urban Decay, but I could have gone with a smaller thing of eye shadow) -travel hairbrush that folds up and has a mirror in it -travel kabuki brush (that silver tube.  Guys, it’s for your foundation makeup) -lots of hair ties -tinted chapstick

This is my usual travel makeup bag, and I didn’t take anything out of it when I packed for Washington.  I did add the toothbrush and travel hair brush.  After looking at this picture I realized that there were a few things I didn’t use and probably will not take on the next trip.  I did not use the travel kabuki brush (I just used my fingers for my foundation), the clear lip liner (I’m a lip stick lover, but I didn’t even bring one on the trip so why I would need a lip liner is beyond me), and the travel eyeliner (I did use the black eye shadow in the pallet for eyeliner, so eyeliner was redundant).  

My quart size liquid bag looked like this:

I ordered this bag from Flight 001, a travel accessory store.  It’s 5x7x2, and is structured.  More like a box.  That’s why I liked it, but a quart size bag would work as well.  Whatever floats your boat.  

Inside, the bag held all of this:

In this bag, I had with me (I’ll try to go by rows, left to right):

-a contact lens case holding my BB cream (tinted moisture) -eye drops -hair care product (I get frizzy hair, and found that the Redken satinwear product helps) -travel toothpaste -travel mascara (yes, mascara is considered a liquid) -all purpose soap (I took with me Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap.  It’s supposed to be good for all things).  -contact solution -spray toner (spray bottle with white cap, it’s a little luxury from home.  Smells good, refreshes skin, and can combat dry air).  -sunscreen -conditioner -sea salt hair spray (spray bottle with blue cap, since I didn’t take a hair dryer, I sprayed my hair with the sea salt spray at night after my shower, twisted my hair and pinned it up before I went to bed, and awoke with wavy-ish hair.  My bangs were a different story).   -face moisturizers (small plastic containers, one for the day with SPF, and one for night)  -Concealer (not pictured, I had unpacked my concealer from this bag, but I also brought it with me)

Besides the eye drops, I used everything in this bag.  The best thing you can do when traveling is take either travel size products (under 3.4 oz) or decanting your products into smaller containers.  Instead of taking the large bottle of sea spray, I put it into a smaller spray bottle.  The bottles I used for the moisturizers, conditioner, and one of the spray bottles came in a set from Target, and I had the other spray bottle from something else.  I picked up another set from a church rummage sale with lots of little containers and smaller spray bottles, but you can also find them in most travel sections of Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or Amazon.  

Contact lens cases also work wonders.  I used mine for my BB cream and it worked wonders.  They are also thin, which makes them great for playing Tetris with your toiletries.    The only other things in my pack were some loose items:

-Full size solid deodorant (if I had brought gel, spray, or roll-on, it would have had to follow the 3-1-1 rule. Solid deodorants are ok in full size.) -an eye mask (in case I had a roommate who liked to read at night) -ear plugs (in case I had a roommate who snored; they are in a blue, travel case) -eye glass case (in which I also stored some cotton balls for just in case emergencies) -eye glasses -travel alarm clock (I got this one from Flight 001, too.  I wanted something small and ran on batteries in case my phone died).   -EMPTY contact lens case (I am probably going to take an extra pair of contacts, which means I would have to put them in my clear quart bag). -shampoo bar & tin (to save space in my quart bag, and because I’m obsessed with travel blogs, I invested in a shampoo bar from Lush Cosmetics. Shampoo bars are just what they say: shampoo in bar form.  They are supposed to last up to 80 washes.  I was skeptical, but  was presently surprised.  It worked well on my hair.  This particular one I have is supposed to condition your hair too, but I didn’t trust that with my hair.  The only downside is that I had to let it air dry completely before putting it back in the tin, otherwise it would stick to the bottom of the tin and be impossible to get out.)  -Face wipes (not pictured, I did bring a travel set of face wipes/makeup remover wipes.  I used them up so I threw away the package before I left.  If you use them, but don’t want to buy travel size, you can put them in a plastic bag. You can also do this with baby wipes)

Other Travel Tips, Resources, Bits of Wisdom

-Less is More: Packing less means you have less to worry about, less to stress about, and more room to pack what you really will need (and gifts and treasures to bring home).  Only bring what you can justify bringing.  I’m not going to bring a blush because I know I wouldn’t use it much.  I’m not bringing an umbrella because I don’t know how much I would use one.  I can always buy what I need overseas.

-You can always buy what you need overseas.  Who knows?  You might find something you really like in a little shop in Poland. While browsing travel tips videos, one traveler said that it’s her family’s tradition to not pack soap, and then buy it when they get to their destination.  I love this because you are already setting yourself up for an adventure.  (Yes, buying soap can be an adventure!)

-Multipurpose items are awesome. One of the reasons I wanted to try the Dr. Bronner’s soap is that you should be able to be used in so many ways (see link).  Ladies, bring makeup (if you want) that pulls double duty (BB Cream usually has SPF in it, so use it like sunscreen, mascara applied very close to the eyelid can look like eye liner, tinted chap-stick can also, if you are daring, be used as a cream blush). 

-Rethink how you use things. Shower caps are great shoe protectors.  Contact lens cases can be used to store moisturizers.  If you see a plastic bottle and like the shape, but hate the product inside, you can always empty it out and fill it with what you want. You can cut or break items to make them smaller.  Don’t want to take a whole roll of duct tape? Repack it.

-Practice packing.  A few days before your trip, pack.  See how heavy your suitcase gets.  Pull it around the house or town.  See how easy it is to maneuver over stairs.  Do you have room for extra items?  Last time I packed to go overseas, I intentionally packed a shoe box when I first packed.  That way, I knew I was saving room for extra items.  

 -Use your technology wisely/Apps can be your best friend.  In my obsession with traveling, I’ve found some great apps that have helped me while I was packing. 

-My TSA (Apple and Android): Run by the TSA, this app helps you do two things.  The first is lets you know the latest security checkpoint wait times.  For the second, it will answer your question, “Can I bring...?” Enter anything you can think of and it will tell you if you can bring it in your checked luggage, carry on, or if it is prohibited.  Sunscreen? Has to follow the 3-1-1 rule for your carry on.  Applesauce? It’s a liquid, so it also has to follow the 3-1-1 rule.  Throwing stars (for the well traveled ninja)? In your checked baggage only.  

-SmartTraveler: Run by the US Department of State.  This is the app that goes along with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program that everyone should register with.  

-PackPoint Packing: Sponsored by Sheraton.  Plug in your destination, activities, and length of stay, and it will generate an example packing list.  Very useful as a jumping off point if you don’t know what exactly you might need. 

-XE Currency: I first started using XE Currency’s website when I was in high school and just geeking out over currency (how many India Rupees make up one US dollar? About 67.5.) I like the app because you have quick access to the current currencies you are interested in and it’s clean looking.

-My bank: I bank with Centier and the app is wonderful.  Very useful to make sure you have enough money.  (Use your own bank, of course. Most banks now have their own apps.)

And last, because I’m obsessed with travel videos...

Tortuga’s guide to minimal packing, part II.

And their video on how to pack a quart size bag.  

And because I love Rick Steves, here’s his TED talk about the value of travel.  Check out his awesome podcasts (both audio and visual).  You will want to quite your job and become a professional traveler.  

Let me know if you have any questions or need to work through packing problems.  I would love to help you find a solution.   Happy Travels! (one more video.  Pilgrims, we will be here!)

*I’m not sure if I need to put this, but I haven’t been paid to recommend any of these products or services I mentioned in this post.  I just really, really, really like them.  

“You’re going where? To do what? What about the Pope?”

Explaining World Youth Day to people who are Catholic, but who may not have heard about it before, is kind of easy, “It’s a pilgrimage to Poland, to celebrate our Catholic faith with the Holy Father and other young Catholics from all over the world.”  Explaining what World Youth Day to people who aren’t Catholic is kind of difficult.  “Well, it’s like a mix of the Olympics with a bunch young people from all over the world coming together, and a Catholic festival with music and stuff, oh, and the Pope will headline the main stage.” How does that even make sense? 

I’m been having a lot of awkward conversations lately.  I’m behavior therapist, and for work, we have to schedule a lot of meetings for our clients.  It seems like I have a gazillion meetings a month.  In preparation for World Youth Day, I’ve been having to tell a lot of my clients and their caregivers that I will be out of town in July and August.   Some people hear that I’m going to Europe and get excited about that.  Others, this may be the first time they find out I’m Catholic (We don’t often talk about our personal lives with case managers).  Unless someone drops a hint (saying they can’t eat meat on Fridays or saying they got married in a Catholic church), I don’t know what religion they are either.  So, bringing up matters of faith is always a tricky conversation. 

I had one of those interesting conversations today.  I was at a meeting with two lovely women who work very hard for their clients.  After I announced that I was going to be out of the country in July, they, like any person would, asked where I was going.  I took a deep breath and told them.  I really wasn’t nervous about telling them.  I was more nervous about the follow up remarks.  

“You’re going where?” “Oh wow, that’s neat?” “What are you going to see?” “I have mixed feelings about the church, but, that sounds great!” 

The ladies really were wonderful, and it was fun telling them about the places I am going to see. It was interesting to see how each of them took it.  One of the women was not Catholic, but thought it was great that I was active in the church.  She asked me how old I was, and when I told her, she gave me a thoughtful look and told me that I was not like most people around my age.  That I was mature. She told me I gave her hope in the future because she saw someone involved in the community.  

The other woman brought up the fact that she was a nonpracticing Catholic. She was really surprised when she heard that I was Catholic.  “Not many people in my immediate circle are still Catholic.  That’s nice.”  Her faith, though she wasn’t practicing, meant a lot to her and her family.  She then mentioned that she had a few bad experiences with either Catholic institutions or priests.  While she loves the faith, some people have given her a bad taste for it.  Surprisingly, this is not the first conversation I’ve had that has gone like this.  

When other people I work with find out I’m Catholic (usually over the age of 50), the conversation usually ends up with us talking about why they left the church and why I am still here (those who are around my own age, either don’t seem to care or tell me about how they are involved in their own church).  I really value these conversations.  Often, I’m so wrapped up in my practicing Catholic bubble, that I don’t hear this side of the story.  I don’t hear about people who felt hurt because of something that happens a long time ago.  I don’t hear from people who fell away from the faith. Pope Francis writes in Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) that “each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the “peripheries” in need of the light of the Gospel.” (20)  Sure Pope Francis, it’s easy when you are the Pope to say that, because you are the Pope.  It’s also really easy when you are with, oh, say a million people, to show the world how you are the “light of the Gospel.”  But when you are alone, one on one with your neighbors who has experienced hurt.... that’s difficult.  

I’m receiving a lot of unexpected graces preparing for World Youth Day.  I’m hoping that my conversations with people who aren’t practicing or who aren’t even Catholic benefit them, even if it is just to show them that the Church still loves them, especially after their bad experiences.  I hope I can be a little ray of Christ’s light during their own pilgrimage experiences. They sure have enlightened mine.   

Packing, Shamacking.  (Packing Tips Part 1)

I’ll be sharing some packing tips in this post: packing cubes, being smart with what you pack, helpful light travel websites, and YouTube videos to help teach smart packing tips. Links can be found at the bottom of the post or on my Pinterest page.  

On Saturday, the pilgrims from the Diocese of Gary had their last informational meeting before departing for our trip.  Everyone was excited and nervous and anxious and joyful.  We talked about currency, electronics, hair dryers (YOU DON’T NEED ONE), and even Bishop Emeritus Dale Melzcek was there to give us tips about Italy.  It was wonderful. 

At one point, Kevin, our Diocesan Director, made each one of us promise that we wouldn’t judge other pilgrims by the state of their laundry.  That prompted folks at my table to start talking about packing and laundry.  Most people said that they could wear their shorts or pants multiple times, but needed a new shirt every day.  From there, we started talking about laundry in the sink and how to pack light (at one point, we are going to take Ryanair, a European budget airline that is notorious for being very stingy on luggage).  I suggested that someone could pack for an entire week in a backpack and I was left with gaping mouths.  It can be done.  Come, young grasshoppers:  I shall show you the ways of packing light.

My insights come from a lot of places including personal experiences, Rick Steves, and various internet places. At the beginning of the month I traveled to Washington DC with only a 30L backpack and a sling purse.  I wanted to pack super light and didn’t want to check a bag on the flight.  I packed a whole week’s worth of outfits in my backpack, along with pj’s, socks and underthings, 2 pairs of shoes, toiletries, accessories, and even some electronics.  It was a struggle, but I did it! I’m feeling more confident in packing for WYD because I already experience packing light and survived.  Knowing that I will be purchasing things, I will be checking a bag.  But, having these tips helps me feel more confident in light packing. 

I also have creditably because Rick Steves liked a tweet of mine.  

Tip 1: PACKING CUBES

The best thing I can say is use packing cubes.  Think of packing cubes as drawers for your luggage.  They help you sort your clothing, find items easier, and keep your belongings looking tidy.  Packing cubes are made from different materials, but usually some kind of breathable fabric that’s sturdy enough to give it some structure but flexible so it can be flattened, like polyester or parachute material.  Both of the packing cubes below are about 10" x 7" x 3" (the one the left is a compression packing cube, meaning it can be fully expanded to be about 4 inches tall, but then can be compressed by zipping it up).  

It’s up to you what you put inside of them.  Some people use small ones for socks and underwear, electronics, or nick knacks.  I’ve used the packing cubes in the picture for t-shirts and shorts. When I went to DC, I fit all of my clothes (three dresses, three shirts, pj’s, and a tank top) into a cube 14" x 10" x 3" and my socks and underwear into one 8" x 4" x 3". Don’t believe me? I packed one of the packing cubes I took a picture of to show you how much you can fit into a packing cube. 

I then packed the other packing cube.  This time, I could fit more clothes (though, in fairness, both were packed to the brim so looked kind of lumpy and is not what the manufacturer recommends). Please ignore my unmade bed and bad photo quality.  

On the left, you can see the uncompressed packing cube.  On the right, a compressed packing cube.

Tip 2: Be smart with what you bring.

When I packed to show how to use the packing cubes, I didn’t put any thinking into what I chose.  When I pack for WYD, I’m going to be more conscious with what I take.  Even if you can fit everything you want into perfect packing cubes, it still may be overweight for the flight.  Our trip limit for our checked luggage is 44 lbs, so being aware of how much everything weighs is important.  

I’m a huge fan of Rick Steves, the guidebook author and host of “Rick Steves’ Europe.” He’s known for helping those on his tours become temporary locals of wherever they travel to and is a champion for traveling light.  He and his tour guides only take one carry on size piece of luggage and a personal item when they travel.  Often, their tour season lasts for 2 months at a time, so everything in their packs have to last 2 months.  One of his guides, Sarah Murdoch, shared some of her travel secrets in an hour long presentation.  She only takes a 20 lbs of luggage with her when she gives tours. 

It’s sooo helpful! Here are some tips I picked up while watching it:

-When she is deciding between two pieces of clothing she will weigh them and will take the lighter of the two.  Even when going to the store to buy something, she will bring a scare to compare weight.

-Just because the item says it’s travel friendly doesn’t mean it is light weight.

-Take neutral colored clothing that goes with everything else. Wear a fun colored scarf to add to your wardrobe options (and use to keep you warm on the plane or to cover your shoulders in churches).  

-If you don’t want to stick out as a tourist, stay away from khaki.  And never wear flipflops out (they are considered shower shoes.  I’m probably going to take a pair but as shoes for the hotel).  

-Don’t freak out if you have to buy something.  You may find that you like the European option more than the American one.  Also, it’s a fun way to meet the locals.  Remember, part of a pilgrimage is the people you meet along the way!

-Laundry can be as easy as taking a shower: Sarah said she washed her underwear and socks each time she took a shower.  She got in, let the clothes get soaked by the shower water as she bathed herself, and then rubbed them together using her hands while using detergent.  She let them rinse in the shower water and rung them out to remove the excess water.  She also mentioned ringing them with a microfiber travel towel.  That helped shortened drying time.

Now, I’m not saying that you should pack only a carry on, but be smart about what you bring.  Ask yourself, am I really going to use this item enough to bring it with me or can I buy it when I get there?  I like Rick’s philosophy of planning for the best of what could happen instead of the worst.  Assume it won’t rain so don’t pack an umbrella, buy it if you need to, when you get there.  And yes, you can pack light.  Thousands of people do this each time they travel.  Don’t believe me?  Go on YouTube and search packing light.  

I’m going to include some links for videos about traveling light below and on my Pinterest page.  Again, most are for traveling with only a carry on, but they can serve as guides for packing light.  

My next post will be about how to pack all of your toiletries into one, one quart bag and one small bag. Also, I’ll share with your my tips for consolidating your toiletries. If you have any tips, please feel free to share!  

Resources (all of which can be found on my Pilgrimage Pinterest Page.  It’s not just for travel tips, but also prayers for WYD, pictures of Poland, and some of WYD’s patron saints.)  

Websites

-Her Packing List: A travel website by women, for women.  I stumbled upon this website while researching day bags and am so thankful for the helpful articles. They have reviews of travel gear, give you packing lists from people who’ve been to the locations, have travel tips, and tips specifically for female travelers. Guys, you can find this site helpful too, but be aware that there’s a lot of talk about bras and periods.   -Rick Steves: Besides his videos, you can find soooo many helpful articles on his website, including packing lists for light travel. 

-The Everygirl: This is a website that is for, well, the “every girl.” The link I’m recommending gives you three simple tips for organizing your carry on.  Again, Gary Pilgrims, remember, we can only take a 20 lbs carry on, so being smart with what you pack will be helpful.  

Videos: Besides Rick Steves’ videos, the best videos I’ve found for teaching you how to pack light are done by a company called Tortuga Backpacks.  They are a carry on back pack company, so their videos do feature their products, but their tips are universal.  

-Rick’s talk about packing light 

-Tortuga’s How to Pack a Carry On.  The guy in the video is pretty relaxed about his packing, but I wanted to show you that you can pack super light for a long trip.

-Tortuga’s first video for stepping down to a carry on bag. This is the first of what will be a series of how to go from taking a huge suitcase to a carry on.  Again, useful tips for being a smart packer.

-Tortuga’s video on how to do laundry when you travel.  

Packing Cubes: I’m listing the places I’ve seen or bought packing cubes from.  You can also probably find them on Amazon. Sites like Rick Steves or Tortuga also sell packing cubes that are made to fit for their own backpacks, but can also be used on their own. 

-The Container Store: They favor the Eagle Creek systems, and so far, I really enjoy mine.  As of writing this, they are having a sale on some travel items.  If you want to see them in person, there are some stores in Chicagoland.  Prices vary, but can range from $8-$13 a bag depending on the size.  They also sell in sets which can go up to $40, depending on the set. They are costly, but are worth it! Eagle Creek is a well known travel brand and lots of travelers swear by them. They also come in different sizes

-Ikea: Ikea sells some travel products, including packing cubes and toiletry bags.  Their packing cube set ($10, but they go down to $8 if you are an Ikea Family member, which is free so become one if you go), includes 4 cubes, one of which is double zipped, so one side can be for clean clothes, and one for dirty.  

-Target: Target currently sells 2 sets of packing cubes.  One is for clothes (I don’t have a personal recommendation for this one), and one is for smaller items (I use it for electronics and for scarves).  The large set is $25, the smaller is $10. 

*I’m not sure if I need to put this, but I haven’t been paid to recommend any of these products or services.  I just really, really, really like them.  

(Love + Mercy) > Fear

Ever hear about something called the Cocktail Party Effect?  In principle, it’s what happens when we are a in a crowded room with talkative people and we turn because we hear our name being said from across the room.  We may not be paying attention, but once our ears hear something that is dear to us, like our name, we give it our full attention.  This happened to me today, but not with my name.  While working on stuff for work, I was listening to the NPR One app.  It’s a great place to hear short updates on the news and some longer, in depth reports from national and local NPR stations.  Anyway, I listen to it a lot when I work, because it’s good background noise.  Today, while typing away, my ears perked up because I heard the broadcaster mention World Youth Day.  The State Department issued a travel alert for those headed to Europe this summer.  Besides an European soccer championship and the Tour De France in France, the report also mentions that due to the estimated 2.5 million people attending World Youth Day (including some 40,000 Americans), the event is a target for terrorists.  The State Department, US Embassy in Poland, and the Polish Government has been taking great measures to ensure the safety of all attending, including heavy boarder controls, random identity checks, and stricter screening in venues.  

I would be lying if I said I felt totally and completely safe, that there is absolutely no fear that something bad will happen.  It’s there, that fear.  In the back of my head, that rational part in my mind saying “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”  Having the United States’ State Department give a travel alert about an event you are attending due to possible terrorist attacks is scary.  But I am thankful.  Thankful that there are smart people working to keep us pilgrims safe.  Thankful that security was not an after thought.  Thankful that I live in a country that tries to do everything it can to keep it’s citizens safe.  But that fear is still there, whispering in my ear, casting a shadow over my joy and excitement.

But then, out of that darkness and panic, I hear a voice telling me “do not be afraid!” And I see a smiling face beckoning me to keep going.  

In processing my upcoming pilgrimage I keep finding myself reflecting back on the last World Youth Day I experienced.  It was the summer of 2002.  I had just finished my first year of high school.  That school year will forever be burned into my mind because that’s when September 11th happened.  That’s when the word “terrorist” first entered my vocabulary.  That’s when I first awoke to the wide world around me and it’s heartbreaking brokenness.

I’m sure my parents were scared because we (my sister and I) were traveling the farthest we’ve ever been without their supervision.  They were trusting the chaperons to keep us safe.  Fourteen years later, they still have that fear.  Their way of saying, “I love you” has always been telling us to “Be safe.” Now, they aren’t just trusting our diocesan leaders and tour guides to keep me safe, but that complete strangers will make the choice not to engage in violence.  

The theme in 2002′s WYD was “Salt of the Earth; Light of the World!” based off of Matthew’s Gospel (5:13-16).  While the themes are usually planned years before the actual event, that year, it seemed like a perfect fit.  We were encouraged to celebrate the gifts that God had given us and to use them to change our world.  We gathered in a sense of global community.  I met people from Australia, England, France, Lebanon, Canada, Spain, Portugal, the African Continent, South America,  and other far away lands (and even some people from the USA).  Sometimes we couldn’t speak to each other but we communicated.  I went to a scouting event for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides from all over the world.  I learned that Canadian Smarties are not the same kind of candies as American Smarties.  I participated in Holy Mass with over a million people (including one would be saint) and it felt like it was one of the most intimate experiences of my life.  In a time of fear and hate, the witness of the young Church proved that we were meant to love our neighbor, no matter who they were.  

In his homily at the closing liturgy, St. John Paul II reflected on how the young people before him were called to be light and salt.  Remember, in 2002, we were still living in a very dark and scary time.  The world was giving up hope that there could ever be peace and some were resigned to give into that fear they were experiencing.  John Paul was not stranger to living in darkness.  He witness, in a personal way, the darkness that comes with hate and fear of the other.  He lived through Nazi occupation and came out more hopeful: “Although I have lived through much darkness, under harsh totalitarian regimes, I have seen enough evidence to be unshakably convinced that no difficulty, no fear is so great that it can completely suffocate the hope that springs eternal in the hearts of the young. You are our hope, the young are our hope.” 

In reflecting on being salt of the earth, John Paul reminded us that we must “preserve and keep alive the awareness of the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist.”  In doing so, and striving to be Christ’s love to all, we can “change and improve the "taste" of human history.”  He continued: “With your faith, hope and love, with your intelligence, courage and perseverance, you have to humanize the world we live in, in the way that today's Reading from Isaiah indicates: "loose the bonds of injustice ... share your bread with the hungry ... remove the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil.... Then your light shall rise in the darkness" (Is 58,6-10).” 

Pope Francis has chosen this year’s theme to be “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7).  WYD will be occurring at the end of a jubilee year of mercy, where the entire Church has been called upon to reflect on how we can live the works of Mercy out in everyday life.  Francis reminds us that “God’s mercy is very real and we are all called to experience it firsthand.”  We are reminded that God looks upon us with eyes of love.  No matter our sins, faults, failings, or fears, God loves us.  Like the Merciful Father, God reaches out to embrace us with arms of love and forgiveness.  Because of this love, this everlasting love, we are called to love and forgive others.  “We know that the Lord loved us first.  But we will be truly blessed and happy only when we enter into the divine “logic” of gift and gracious love, when we discover that God has loved us infinitely in order to make us capable of loving like Him, without measure.  Saint John says: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love...  In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another” (1 Jn 4:7-11).

Francis’ message of loving mercy combines beautiful with John Paul’s reminder to not be afraid.  Lord, be my guide as I shine my light of love in the world and give my neighbor the gift of mercy, especially those who might want to do me harm because of my faith in you.  Walk with them as well; let them feel your loving embrace and experience a conversion of their heart due to your beautiful gift of mercy.  Holy Spirit, give me the courage I desperately need when I feel pulled into the pit of fear and despair.  Be my hope and joy as I gather with the global young Church on this pilgrimage of mercy.  Amen. 

Walk with me?

Like I mentioned in my previous post, one of the things a person can receive while on a pilgrimage is the gift of community.  The friends and family members who send you off, the people you meet when you arrive at your destination, the kind shop keeper you turn to when you are looking for a meal, the person in front of you in a line, the choir you listen to when you attend a religious service.  They are all part of your community on pilgrimage.  

For World Youth Day, I thankfully get to experience it with a community that means a lot to me: members of the Diocese of Gary, IN.  Gary has been my home diocese forever.  Even when I was attending college in Indianapolis, I was proud to say that I belonged to the Indiana diocese next to Lake Michigan.  For those not familiar with the Diocese of Gary, founded in 1956, we are the smallest diocese in Indiana, comprising of four counties in Northwest Indiana.  In our fifty years of foundation, we’ve had four bishops and have seen the Region, as Northwest Indiana is locally called, experience joys and sorrows.  We’ve seen the growth and prosperity of the steel mills and farming communities, and then the closing of the steel mills, poverty, and racism.  The Church of Gary has attempted to help in each of those situations, attempting to address the sin of racism through reconciliation, supporting Catholic Charities, and being the largest supporter of Habitat for Humanity in the area.   

Patrons of the Diocese of Gary, the Holy Angels.  This icon is located in the Cathedral in Gary.  

If your local parish is like your immediate family, your diocese is your extended family.  At least, that’s how I feel about the good ol’ D. o. G.  I love my home parish deeply and am happy to continue to build up it’s walls.  But I also love the moments when the whole extended family gets together to celebrate.  My love story with the Diocese began when I was in high school.  I attended a diocesan retreat and my eyes were opened to the experience of a larger Catholic church.  

The following year, my sister and I signed up to go to this thing call World Youth Day in Toronto.  We went with two others from my parish and a few bus loads of pilgrims from the diocese.  It was brutal travel (9 hours on a bus while fellow passengers sang songs from Veggie Tales nonstop; It’s enough to make you want to throw the elusive hair brush they were singing about at them), rustic accommodations (sleeping on the floor of a school classroom with only a light sheet as your bed and using a shower a hose over the side of a large wooden box to bath in), and even getting some of our belongings stolen (thieves broke into where we were staying and stole some of our possessions, like cameras).  But even then, we had each other.  During one of the The catechetical sessions at the beginning of the day, Bishop Dale Melczek, now the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Gary, raffled off a medal that was given by Pope John Paul II to each of the bishops who attended that WYD as a way of trying to give back something that was taken from us.  Other members from the diocese left messages of hope and encouragement on our pillows to try to bring a smile to our faces.  We found each other walking around in a sea of strangers and smiled.  We met new people who became traveling buddies and later dear friends.  We shared pillows and tarps and pizza when we were sleeping outside during the biggest slumber party I’ve ever attended.  We hugged and rejoiced together when we saw, now Saint John Paul II pass us in the Pope mobil on his way to celebrate Mass with over a million people.  We slept on each other’s shoulders on the bus home.  

My sister, Gina (second from the left), expressing the emotion we felt after John Paul II passed us. We we not smiling because we got the picture we wanted, but because we experienced something that’s hard to put into words. 

After that, I was kind of hooked.  I loved being able to go to different masses throughout the diocese and seeing a friendly face.  During my junior and senior year of high school, I served on the diocesan youth council and helped out with a diocesan youth conference.  I became even more familiar with my peers in other parishes and found mentors in the adults who served the youth.  Those people are still some of the people I turn to for advice and wisdom.  I’m still friends with some of those high school peers.  They have been a constant in my life that I am so thankful for.  

This past weekend (5/21/16), some of the pilgrims from the Diocese came together to pray and prepare for the upcoming trip.  We gathered at the beautiful Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana to walk the Stations of the Cross, an act that will be repeated when we pray the Stations with millions of pilgrims during the last night of WYD in Krakow.  

Praying before entering the empty tomb.

It was a beautiful day with lovely weather.  We walked from station to station, reflecting upon the scene in front of us and adding our prayers to those who had also walked along the way.  

Jesus meeting his mother on the way to Calvary.

Each step we took, we were reminded that we are never alone along our journey.  Jesus was never alone.  Soldiers, guards, his mother, friends, strangers, prisoners were all with him.  Our journey was the same.  We had each other, but we also met strangers along the way.  Nuns, priests, children, elders, couples, single people; their paths colliding with ours along the way.  All there for a reason.  All seeing the same story.  All experiencing it a little but different.

A few final thoughts on community:

The more I keep thinking about it, the more I feel our pilgrimage has the theme of community.  Krakow, the host city, is often called the City of Saints, because so many saints and holy people have their roots in the city (It’s also the title of a great book by George Weigel about JPII’s Krakow).  The USA pilgrims are invited to ask St. James the Apostle (patron of pilgrim travelers), St. Kateri Tekakwitha (a young, faithful, Native American who loved her faith), St. Therese of Lisieux (patroness of missionaries and advocate for youth), Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (man of the beatitudes and patron of young adults), and St. John Paul II (son of Poland and patron of World Youth Day) to pray for us, along with the 8 other saints who have some connection to the city that the international WYD is holding a devotion to.  That’s a lot of people, and I’m so thankful that they have our backs.  

The Gary Delegation is also going to travel to Assisi in Italy, the home of St. Francis and St. Clare.  I’ll write more about that later, but it still has a connection to community.  Both Clare and Francis built communities around helping the poor and relying on the kindness of strangers for their daily needs.  Francis heard his call to “rebuild my Church, for which you see is falling down,” in a little country church.  He was praying in front of an old cross, that is unlike any cross I’ve ever seen before.  If you look at it, you will see something unusual: Jesus isn’t the only person in the picture.  He may be hanging on the cross, but he is surrounded his mother, followers, soldiers, saints, angels, God’s outreaching hand, and even some farm animals.  Francis started his road to sainthood alone, but with a community.  Kind of like a pilgrimage...

Chodźmy! Let’s go! Walk with me?

This is my friend Amanda.  We met when we went to WYD Toronto together.  She’s been a solid rock in my life and I’m so thankful that we are pilgrims together again! 

Pilgrim VS Tourist

I am an avid fan of PBS travel shows.  My family can attest to this.  Ever since I was old enough to work the remote I gravitated towards television programs that showed the wonders of travel (I’m binging on them right now as I type this).  Rick Steves is my spirit animal.  Burt Wolf is my homeboy.  I want to be BFFs with the cast of Globe Trekker.  

You think I’m joking, but I totally did this pose after I renewed my passport.  Ask my mom.

National Geographic magazines also sparks travel day dreams.  My go to answers for the question, “What would be your dream job?” are “An astronaut, National Geographic photographer, and stationary store owner.”  I’ve always longed to travel and see the world and get that coveted stamp in my passport.  

So why don’t I want to be a tourist now?  

My dreams of travel have not died.  Have no fear of that.  My perspective though has changed.  I find that I relate more to the concept and practice of pilgrimage.  Being a tourist is fun.  Seeing new places is fun.  Getting to relax is fun.  But... to me, there is always something missing.  Going on a pilgrimage is enriching and life giving.  I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to my friend, the Pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage: It’s human nature.

At the heart of the pilgrimage is a journey.  There’s preparation involved long before the first step is taken.  Usually, there’s the understanding that the journey is an escape from the secular world and an entering into the sacred.  The ordinary and familiar parts of life are left behind and replaced by something new, unfamiliar, and maybe unexpected.  Typically there’s a connection to the past or a commemoration of something that had occurred in the area the pilgrim is headed.  There may be a ritual involved as well. The re-entrance into every day life once the pilgrimage is over is also a critical component to the pilgrimage as a whole. A pilgrim comes back home changed.

I see pilgrimages as a natural part of being human.  Since the dawn of man, humans have held certain areas of land as sacred.  Caves, mountains, rivers, all drew early humans to make multiple return trips.  To go to those areas was to encounter the sacred.  As humans continued to encounter God, pilgrimages began to flocking to places held sacred to their faith.  In the Buddhist tradition, where the Buddha walked, sat, and slept was kept sacred.  Hindus have more than 1800 religious sites that pilgrims flock to on holy days to make give a sacrifice, make an offering,  or complete a ritual such as bathing in the Ganges River at Banaras.  In early Judaism, all faithful were expected to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. While pilgrimages are no longer obligatory, many still go to the Western Wall to pray and travel to Jerusalem to celebrate Jewish holidays.  In Islam, completing the Hajj or a Mecca at least once in their life is one of the five pillars of faith.  

On pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.  I’m pretty sure I was thinking, “I am such a small part of this big, beautiful church” and trying really hard to focus on the camera, even though my head naturally looked up.

Christians started making pilgrimages shortly after the death of Christ.  The faithful would travel to where Jesus lived, preformed miracles, and died.  For those who could not make a physical pilgrimage, they instead recited prayers and reflected upon the Stations of the Cross. Pilgrims also traveled to places related to those who knew Jesus, such as Mary’s home or where his apostles died.  St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is literally built over the area where Peter was buried and is one of the most popular pilgrim sites in the world.  As more saints were added to the litany, more pilgrimage sites were established.  The Camino de Santiago (or the Way of St. James), takes pilgrims from France, though mountains and farm fields to end at the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.  Walking on the path that can date back to the 9th century, pilgrims stay in hostelsand relying on the kindness of strangers.    

St. Francis overlooking the valley below Assisi.  This is supposed to be a representation of the “internal dimension” of a pilgrimage.  

A Pilgrim’s Journey

Everyone experiences a pilgrimage is different.  When I went to Assisi with some of my classmates, we all went to the same exact places.  We came back home with very different experiences.  

A pilgrim often grapples with an internal dimension that is very different from a tourist’s experience.  Pilgrims take time to reflect up what occurred while they are on their way.  Often they allow themselves to be open to receive and be ministered to by the experience and to let go of control. Each pilgrim goes on a pilgrimage for different reasons and what they focus on can transform the pilgrimage (for example, since most pilgrims go to Lourdes, France seeking healing in the miraculous waters of a spring given to a young girl by Mary their pilgrimage often has a theme of healing).  A community of often built when strangers meet on the way.  Even if you initially set out on your own, you will not travel alone.  And last, the entire journey, from beginning to end, is important.  While a tourist may just want to hurry up and get to the destination, pilgrims pay attention to the entire journey (the man who helped me through security on my first flight was part of my pilgrimage in the same way the customs officer I greeted when I landed back home was).  

Watching Rick Steves share his knowledge on how to travel through Europe is very helpful, but I am looking forward to experiencing my own pilgrim journey.  To see familiar sites and walk on hallowed ground.  To be with old friends while meeting a million people.  To be open to whatever happens and to listen to God’s call through the noise of a crowded piazza.  

One of the best films depicting a person on a pilgrimage is “The Way,” staring Martin Sheen and written/directed by his son, Emilio Estevez.  It was filmed on the actual Camino de Santiago.  

70 Days and Counting

Oh man.  70 days.  I’m still attempting to plan for the week ahead, let alone a pilgrimage.  Is is really that close?   I’m starting this blog now after reviewing a pilgrim update from our diocesan director.  He asked for blogs to share with the local Catholic news paper, and it sparked my interest.  So, I’ll give it a go.  

My name is Vicky Hathaway, and I am a pilgrim.  

My relationship with pilgrimages began when I was in high school.  During the summer of 2002, I traveled to Toronto with the Diocese of Gary to experience my first World Youth Day.  There, my eyes and heart was open to the way of the pilgrim.  In 2008/09, I boarded my first international flight to Assisi and Rome to literally walk in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare.  In between, I made smaller pilgrimages, mostly to local areas of interest or religious events, but also to the John Paul II National Shrine in Washington DC while at a summit for young adult ministry.  Each journey gave me a deeper insight into my faith and strengthened my relationship with God and the saints.  

Now, in 70 days (well, actually less than 70 days) I’ll board another plane and head back to Europe to once again visit my brother and sister saints and meet my extended Catholic family (over 35,000 American’s are making the trip and millions more from all over the world).  The Diocese of Gary will be making an extended pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome a few days before the official kick off of World Youth Day in Krakow.    I selected my blog title after reading my YOUCAT (or Youth Catechism).  The YOUCAT, when answering “What is the purpose of a pilgrimage?” said, “Someone who goes on a pilgrimage “prays with his feet” and experiences with all his senses that his entire life is one long journey to God.”  I read that and went, “THIS!  This describes me perfectly.”  We are all called to be pilgrim people, seeing our every day life as part of our journey towards God.  Each step we take is one more in the direction God is calling us.  The hills and valleys, sunny days and monsoons, smooth pavement and large potholes are all part of that journey.   I invite you to walk with me as I take this physical, emotional, and most importantly, spiritual journey to Italy and Poland.  If you have questions or want me to touch on something specific, I invite you to do so!  Pray for me as I pray for you! Pace e Bene,

Vicky PS: Pace e Bene was a greeting St. Francis of Assisi used in letters to his friends, meaning “Peace and All Good.”  Ever since my pilgrimage, I’ve used the phrase to sign off my letters.  I might have to start using “pokój i dobroć“ which is the Polish equivalent.  :-)