by Joanie Bidlake, Pilgrim.
Brokenness, trust, healing. Excellent reasons for going on pilgrimage, I thought. However, my own trip began completely differently than what I had anticipated.
Nine pilgrims from the Diocese of Victoria departed on August 20 to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland, afterwards continuing on to Rome and Assisi, Italy. But—while hurrying through the Vancouver Airport to catch a suddenly re-scheduled connecting flight, I tripped and fell. So, with a bad cut on my forehead, I was taped up and transported by paramedics down to the medical clinic in YVR (who knew there was a medical clinic in the airport??). A Doctor sewed me up with eight stitches, rewrapped my head, then cleared me to fly. Brokenness suddenly took on another meaning. I looked like I had been in a war. I was in shock at what had just happened, but it seemed I was meant to carry on (trust). Along with Mark and Leola Westby—so grateful for their kindness and support!—we were put on a later flight, direct to London with a connection to Dublin, where we arrived the afternoon of the August 21. Unfortunately, our luggage didn’t show up until the end of the second day, but we were elated to finally join our fellow pilgrims!
Our group, led by Fr. Dean Henderson (University Chaplain and Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish), included Linda Henderson; Jennifer Casavant and Shawn Taylor (St. Joseph the Worker Parish); Mark and Leola (St. Andrew’s Cathedral Parish); Marnie Homewood and Kacey Chiam Chee (Our Lady of Grace Parish, Salt Spring Island), and me (Holy Cross Parish, Victoria). Being a relatively small group, Canterbury Tours joined us with 23 American pilgrims and together we formed a colourful, diverse band of travellers … perhaps a slight echo of the pilgrims of Canterbuy Tales?! We were blessed to have three priests and one deacon in our party—Fr. Dean (Diocese of Victoria), Fr. Sergio and Deacon Armando (Diocese of San Bernadino), and Fr. Martin (Diocese of Dallas)—who concelebrated Mass for us most days. Wonderful, close moments of faith and fellowship.
During the WMOF 2018 Pastoral Congress held that week, we had opportunities to attend a wide range of sessions focussed on key issues related to family that were drawn from Pope Francis’ teachings in The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). In addition to workshops, exhibitions, and daily Mass held in the stadium on site, excellent speakers and moderators discussed many of today’s issues. These included sessions on challenges for the family in the digital age; the importance of sharing a family meal together; migrants and homelessness; today’s ‘throw away’ culture; human trafficking; safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; and how grandparents can help pass on our faith, to name a few. The atmosphere was one of joy; I loved seeing so many baby strollers and toddlers in attendance! And I am so grateful for the amazing, random conversations I had with beautiful strangers—we are all truly brothers and sisters.
Saturday included a fascinating visit to Gleann da Loch, an ancient monastic city established in the 6th Century by St. Kevin, about an hour’s drive outside Dublin. Our pilgrimage clergy celebrated a beautiful liturgy for us in St. Kevin’s Church. That evening we attended the Festival of Families, held in Croke Park Stadium where the Holy Father arrived amid much excitement and anticipation! After family testimonies, excellent entertainment including the cast of Riverdance, and Andrea Bocelli, Pope Francis closed the night with a speech. Then it was making our way out of the stadium to the train station and back to the hotel with 82,000 other people! Sunday brought the Closing Papal Mass held in Phoenix Park with about 500,000 in attendance. (Photo: Pope Francis, up close! Credit: Claudio Mora)
The next day we were off to beautiful cities of Assisi and Rome to visit a number of holy sites significant to our Catholic faith. Some memorable moments:
- ASSISI
- Clare’s Basilica, where the incorrupt remains of St. Clare can be viewed in her crypt;
- The original cross of St. Damian—hanging in the Basilica;
- Walking through the winding beautiful, ancient streets of Assisi; lunch together in a small Italian restaurant;
- Touring and navigating the extraordinary Basilica of St. Francis;
- Standing after Mass in front of a beautiful statue of Mary at the church in our hotel (imagine that!), and Fr. Sergio spontaneously breaking out in beautiful voice, the Ave Maria…
- ROME
- Scavi Tour—the lowest levels underneath St. Peter’s Basilica known as the ‘necropolis’; to see this ancient place and the remains of St. Peter is beyond special;
- Tours of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel;
- Papal Audience on Wednesday—seeing Pope Francis up close!
- Tours of three important basilicas including Santa Maria Maggiore, John Lateran, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls;
- Walking tour to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona;
- Final night’s dinner and evening walk to see the Colosseum.
Speaking for myself, I came away from this pilgrimage with a deeper sense of our faith and the healing it offers; that it is alive and well in the world. But more that this: that it is a gift to be shared through our own compassion, mercy and understanding of others when we meet them wherever they are. I am most grateful. The Emerald Isle and her beautiful people didn't disappoint!
