“Pilgrims are men and women of prayer, constantly in conversation with God about what is happening around them and within them "excerpt from: The Fourth Quarter of Life by Allen Hunt and Matthew Kelly

This year Joyce and I will be spending Holy Week outside of the USA, for the very first time in both our lives! Once again, we will be traveling to Italy, but this time, we will be traveling as pilgrims not as tourists. Now I know for most Catholics when we think of making a pilgrimage to Italy, we immediately think of the Vatican. Well, in our case, we will be spending Holy Week in the tiny town where my mother was born. It may not be the Vatican, but in my heart it’s home! Touring the Vatican is an experience in itself, one every Catholic should experience if able, however, there I have to admit, I feel like a tourist, another person in the crowd. In my mother’s home town of Staletti, I’m no longer filling my mind with worldly distractions or desires. Without those worldly distractions I can let the Holy Spirit guide me wherever God wishes.

Ever since I visited the town last year, I have been longing to return and personally engage in the customs of this small community. I made a promise to the young priest in the town that God willing, Joyce and I would return to spend Holy Week with him. Here on any given Holy Day, the people of the town process from town square to the monastery of their patron saint, St. Gregorio of Taumaturgo. At the monastery the mayor leaves the keys to the city at the altar where the relics of St. Gregorio reside. Walking in the footsteps as my mother, aunt, uncles and grandparents have before me is what makes this trip a pilgrimage.

Experiencing Christ Passion from Palm Sunday through Easter with this community will be the highlight of our pilgrimage. Not forgetting the upcoming women’s Cursillio following Easter, I will be making my daily Palanca at the altar of “Santa Maria Assunta” in Staletti; not only during Holy Week but the week following Easter leading up to our women’s weekend. I will be wearing the cross I received on my weekend in unity with the women on team, Fr. Tom and the women making their weekend. My hope is to absorb all the love I receive in Staletti and transmit it to Cursillo community back home.

Lord, you have ignited my heart with desire to walk as a pilgrim, not as I might choose but as you may lead me. You have offered me the opportunity to witness the faith of my ancestors and share it with my beloved community at home. Your love grows exponentially for those who seek it. This Lent may each daily prayer fill Your faithful with wisdom, love and enthusiasm, to act as an instrument of Your will, by sharing your love wherever You may lead them.

In it with you,

Frank