“The multitude of believers was one heart and one soul.” These are the words from the Acts of the Apostles we used to pray every night before going to bed. It’s also the great discovery we made together during the Solanus Casey Walking Pilgrimage with the High School Youth Group. There is something more in believing together than just believing alone. There is something more in being “one heart and one soul” than just doing the same things together.
When we started walking from the Church of Saint Peter, we were excited and scared. For many of us it was our first pilgrimage. “Did I forget something at home? Will the shoes be comfortable? Will it rain? Who are these kids I don’t know?” These were the main questions on our minds. The first day was a nice walk through the beautiful park between North Saint Paul and Stillwater — wind, trees, a deer. The only effort was moving to the right because of the bikes riding along. We reached our destination easily.
The second day started off tougher. Heavy rain, for three hours. But just as spirits were starting to sink, someone began to sing some classic from the seventies: “Ain’t no mountain high, ain’t no valley low… If you need me, call me. No matter where you are!”. And even in the rain, we could rejoice and find the strength to go on, as one of the kids put it later.
But nobody could have imagined the third day: 17 miles in a heat record for the year, with a heat index of 100°F. After two long stops and gallons of water, the bottles were empty. I prayed to Solanus Casey: “Please, some water!” A few minutes later, a mom with two kids showed up from the house right next to us. “I saw the cross, and I brought some popsicles.” Good providence — God really was taking care of us.
The last day was also hard, but by then we were ready. Some had blisters on their feet, some had aching muscles, but our hearts were light and full of joy. Every day we prayed the Rosary, reading the intentions of those who decided to share them. One girl said that was the most beautiful thing about the pilgrimage. Saint Mary’s in Big River was waiting for us, and we reached the church singing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
During the pilgrimage we experienced what it means to belong to the companionship of the Church.
Before the final Mass with parents and friends, we had a meeting to share what we’d discovered over the four days. If we don’t remember together, everything risks fading away. Here are some of the kids’ reflections: “Praying together is better than praying with the app. You can hear the different voices, and all of them becoming one.” “I would have never done this pilgrimage by myself. I cannot be a Christian alone.” “I liked the silence we shared together. I felt closer to God.” “When I feel uncomfortable, it’s easier to be saved, because I’m not in control.” “We started as strangers and now we are brothers!” “Suffering together can unite us — and unite us to God.” “A pilgrimage is like Eucharistic Adoration: looking at the same point, which is the goal of our life.” “Chanting together made me feel closer to Heaven.” “I enjoyed the Liturgy of the Hours and the prayer routine. At the beginning it was boring, but then it gave me peace.”
If we had to sum it up in one word, we could say that during the pilgrimage we experienced what it means to belong to the companionship of the Church. That means being one heart and one soul, together, in Christ.
Archbishop Hebda joined us on the second day to celebrate Mass. He then stayed for dinner — and for our singing night! In his newsletter to the Diocese, the following day, he wrote: “I was inspired by their enthusiasm and loved their stories about the joy of giving public witness as they carried the cross from one point to the next, raising lots of questions in the minds of those they encountered along the way. Please join me in praying for them as they complete their pilgrimage. I’m certainly hoping that at least one of them will be a new Solanus. God bless them!”.
