COMMENTARY: Planning a pilgrimage can infuse a spiritual boost into our lives and become part of our daily walk with God.
Last year, I was inspired by the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, a 16th-century Roman Holy Thursday tradition popularized by St. Philip Neri. The original pilgrimage involves a 15-mile walk to seven major basilicas in Rome to pray, reflect, and visit catacombs. Some churches in the United States now organize local versions as group or self-guided pilgrimages.
I liked the idea of the physical challenge of such a walk, but my knees are not so robust. However, I can still ride a bike, and the idea for a seven-church pilgrimage by bike came to me. I decided to make it a private pilgrimage so that I could pick whatever day suited me and would not be encumbered with all that goes into organizing a group.
The Plan
My summer was especially busy, so I decided that September would be the best month. I mapped out four churches and three chapels with the Blessed Sacrament present — at a hospital, a nursing home, and a senior living facility — and I also planned a stop at my husband’s grave, which lay
