Why Does Someone Decide To Book A Pilgrimage?

There are many common reasons:  Increase of Faith, Practice Prayer, Practice Fasting, Learn to Let Go and how to give our problem to God, Pray for Healing, Hear what the Holy Spirit may say, In thankfulness, In Joy and Rejoicing, To Pray for others, To Visit Holy Places, Experience diverse cultures, To escort a family member or a loved one, to travel with their prayer group/church/youth group/leader, and/or for Unity so we can be with people like ourselves. Often we go on a pilgrimage when seeking change, and often, change takes place.  Pilgrimage means focusing on an intention, focusing on a desire, or focusing on resolution of a situation. A Pilgrim goes because he hears "the calling" - They come back to give peace a chance, and not let the jerks of the world get the best of them. He goes seeking to find peace with their loved one, or for peace in the world. Upon their return they discover, that in order to find peace with another human, they must first find it with God and in their own heart!  

Have You Ever Considered Taking Your Whole  Family On A Pilgrimage?

Have you been wondering what it would be like if your child would meet people in another country?  If he/she has seen another culture? Our world today is growing and changing at a very fast rate.  Our kids do not remember what it was like to write a letter without an e-mail.  Some of our kids do not remember what it was like without a cell phone.  Our kids want things right now.  It's about instant gratification. These days kids play with games that offer instant moving images. No time to contemplate, or wonder. No time to pray, dream, imagine how it could be?  Most kids have many games and computers?  What if our child sat by the window and watched the rain fall?  How about if we share our time and take a trip?  How about to another country where they may hear another language, different customs and watch the way other kids play? Most families spend more money on toys then they do on family trips.  What do we fear? Unknown. They would absorb more in a week in another country then they do in a lifetime with all the toys.  So why not venture to another country? "The World is A Book -Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" - St. Augustine. One of the greatest persons of our time is Mother Theresa. Her physical strength and size, knowledge of languages, geography or finances never stopped her.  She faced her fears and helped humanity in the name of Jesus. She did not do it in her village. She did not offer help to Only * those that were Catholic.  She helped humans who were in pain of all forms and backgrounds. Living on earth is expensive; make it a great and rewarding one.  Mother Theresa believed, prayed and lived the message of Christ.  And she also believed that if you love Christ you must look at each and every human being as Jesus in disguise.  You cannot come to know Jesus and God unless you love all of his people.  That is so hard to absorb for so many. Her explanation and message reach out to another human being and do it "one at a time" or "one by one" So simple!  Many of us want to save the world, and make peace in the world, but cannot help or forgive our loved one or even worse we cannot forgive ourselves. I'm sure she meant "one by one" starting  with yourself.  One kind word, one step, one meal for a sick person down the block, one prayer for a sick child.  As an AT&T slogan said: "reach out and touch someone" as by touching them you will feel the rewards and joy within your heart that you've never felt before.  As Mother Theresa said: "Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things.  It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us." I pray that one day you book a pilgrimage.  Invite your family and friends to separate themselves from the "every day rut".  You'll come back refreshed and with more peace in your heart.  When you return, perhaps you can plan another pilgrimage, but the next time you invite more people to join you and share with them what you have learned yourself.  In doing so, you will help others, you will acquire the knowledge and you will be making some great friends from different parts of the world. Typically what happens the first time someone goes abroad, they start off by complaining to their tour leader and spiritual director about how there was no butter served with bread, how they miss their home… that is until they really put themselves into being in where they are with their heart instead of Only * physically.  It takes a while.  But the next time they go, they know the purpose of going is to find new way of looking at things, new peace and new friendships, not what they have left at home.