From left, seminarians Josh LaPeer and Tim Wezner, along with fellow pilgrim Kristopher Johnson, stop to reflect along the path during last summer’s Camino pilgrimage in Spain. Along the way, each pilgrim was given the name of two or three donors to pray for in thanksgiving for their pilgrimage.Can a walking discernment pilgrimage help a young man discern a vocation to the priesthood? The answer is a resounding yes! In 2013, I led a group of 30 pilgrims to northern Spain to walk along the final 72 miles of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), and two of those pilgrims are now in the seminary, and several others in serious discernment. A pilgrimage, by its very nature, is an opportunity to grow closer to Christ. The closer one comes to knowing Christ, the closer one comes to knowing his/her vocation.
Our world has become so saturated with so-called “pop culture,” and with an ever-growing presence of social media, it will soon become necessary for our youth — if it hasn’t already — to make an extra effort to experience the presence of God in their busy lives. In response to this situation, imagine having nothing else to do for 11 days, except to “waste time,” walking along a path that has guided pilgrims closer to the Lord for more than 1,000 years. Free from distraction, free from a smartphone, free to discern, free to be happy and content as a child of God.
Since the 10th century, the Camino de Santiago has attracted pilgrims to endure all, or a portion of, the long, 500-mile walk to the final destination of the Cathedral of St. James, the apostle. Legend holds that the martyred remains of St. James were transported by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. The many walking trails/ routes to the apostle’s cathedral are known as “Caminos,” or Ways. In the past, walking the Camino was a traditional form of penance and pilgrims would receive an indulgence to pardon their sins for making the journey. Since the mid-80s, the pilgrimage commonly referred to as, “The Camino,” has experienced a re-birth and is once again attracting thousands of modern-day pilgrims from all over the world.
This second Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is planned for June 8-23, 2015, at the very affordable cost of $1,500 per person. This time around the pilgrims will face more of a challenge by walking the final 164 miles of the Camino over 11 days. Daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, daily reflections, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity to walk with priests, seminarians, and fellow discerners will be the agenda each day ... and plenty of fun in between! This pilgrimage is specifically intended for young men between the ages of 18-25 (by June 2015), not presently in a dating relationship, open and desirous to learning more about discernment of the priesthood, able to walk 164 miles in 11 days, and willing to be challenged, both physically and spiritually. The full Itinerary/registration form for the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is available on the Office of Priestly Vocations website: www.detroitpriest.com.
Because we are all vocation directors, a pilgrimage of this sort will find its greatest success if it receives the support, invitations and prayers from all the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit. So, I ask for your prayers for a safe and holy pilgrimage, and most especially, that the young men on the pilgrimage will be open to growing in their relationship with the Lord. I ask that you have the courage to invite young men to consider this pilgrimage, if for no other reason, to help them better discover how they are being called to live a holy life as a disciple of Christ.
It is also important to assure that any young man who desires to make this pilgrimage will not be denied the opportunity because of a lack of funds. If you would like to donate money to help defray the cost, you may send your contribution to the Office of Priestly Vocations (2701 Chicago Blvd., Detroit, MI 48206). Whether your support arrives with a donation, prayers, or through an invitation, it will be greatly appreciated and help to make this pilgrimage a memorable and potentially life-changing event for those who participate.
Why walk the Camino? Outside of the Holy Land and Rome, the Camino is one of the oldest pilgrimages in all of Christendom. By walking these 164 miles with fellow pilgrims, one has the opportunity to “pray with their feet” like the thousands of pilgrims who have travelled this same path. Above all, it will be an opportunity for growing in relationship with Christ and better discern, “where is the Lord calling me to serve Him?”
Perhaps you have a son, grandson, brother, nephew, student, friend, or fellow parishioner who might be interested in this pilgrimage? Maybe you are that someone? Sometimes you have to go away in order to find yourself, to find your calling from the Lord. You, the people of God (priest, religious, lay) are the real vocation directors for the Church!
As of late August, I already had 12 registered with room for 13 more. If you are interested, I encourage you to contact the Office of Priestly Vocations for more information and to answer any questions.
I am confident, with the support and prayers of the good people throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit, that many young men will have the opportunity to meet the Lord along “the Way,” and perhaps move from pilgrim to priesthood!
Fr. Tim Birney is director of priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Visit www.detroitpriest.com.
