Most religions have expressed a desire to have their adherents make a pilgrimage. In all cases it is a trip to a holy place but in the Catholic community it is more succinctly put as a trip by foot.
It is said that as a pilgrim prepares for their journey they pack everything they think they will need and place them in a backpack. This pack they wear as they set out, unsure of their exact purpose, is filled with the material possessions that will help them fulfill the desire to make the journey.
As they walk they find that some of the things they carry are burdens that they don't need so they unload them as the journey progresses. The book or extra jacket they thought they needed are put aside. As this unloading occurs their burden decreases and the journey becomes more bearable.
Eventually, if the journey is long enough, they will start to unload some of the burdens in their heart as well. Angers, prejudices, envy, hate.... All the things they carry throughout their life become distractions and the need to carry them diminishes. As the pilgrim discards these burdens their load is lightened and this is the reason they make pilgrimage. Now they can get closer to God because their hearts are free from these awful weights that hold us all down.
I hope to take Austin on a pilgrimage after he graduates. We shall sat forth on a walk from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela. 420 plus miles across 30 plus days. Unloading our burdens as we go and hopefully growing closer to God. Also hopefully forming a bond that will never be broken.
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