The Empty Backpack

We are in the final preparation stages for our pilgrimage to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.  Several of us are leaving on Monday, Sept. 21 for the week and we will then be joined by three bus loads of people for the Papal Visit, Sept. 26-27. I get the distinct privilege, and pleasure, of sharing the stories of our pilgrimage through this blog. Over the course of the week, several pilgrims will be sharing with me their experiences of being with the world in Philadelphia.

Pilgrimage is the word used to describe our travel, because unlike tourists, we are not on a vacation of site-seeing. We are on a pilgrimage, in which our sight-seeing, reveals how God is at work in our lives.

Pilgrimage is not a time of rest, relaxation and seeking comfort. It is a time of journey, revelation, and discovering the parts of our life that distract us from growing deeper in our relationship with God. That often is the uncomfortable part. It's uncomfortable because we want what we want and it may not be what God desires for us.

The pilgrim carries the empty backpack. If it is too full with our stuff, we will not have room for the grace and gifts that God is bestowing. Eventually, we will need to unpack our items to make room for God's gifts to us.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for the Church in the Diocese of Grand Rapids during this time of pilgrimage. I invite you to join us during the week as a virtual pilgrim by reading and sharing the stories relayed here. Check in regularly, or visit the diocesan Facebook page where new blog entries will be posted.

There are several parishes that are offering live streaming of some of the events we are attending. Check out www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org for locations and times. Maybe during a "watch party" you will have a question about something in Philly. Ask us through the comment section on the blog and we will see if we can answer it.

Please keep us in your prayers and light a candle for the event.

Patron Saints of the World Meeting of Families, St. John Paul II and St. Gianna Beretta Molla, pray for us.
http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/spirituality-center/patron-ss/