Can you pray with your feet?
Each year the Center for Applied Research for the Apostolate out of Georgetown University does a survey of all the men ordained to the priesthood from throughout the U.S. While there are a variety of questions asked in this survey about the background of these men in an
attempt to gather a “profile” for further review and study, I am always most interested in the “why” and “when” questions. Why did you enter the seminary? When did you first seriously consider the vocation of priesthood? The answers to these questions from the newly ordained are consistently the same: Why? “I experienced first-hand the positive influence and invitation of a priest” and secondly, “I had the opportunity to experience a life-changing conversion while on a retreat.” When? “I was a young adult between the ages of 18-25.”
In my programming as director of priestly vocations for the Archdiocese of Detroit, I try to follow the facts, and the facts in this regard are most clear and consistent. In an effort to tap into this revealing information, I am planning a bold and potentially life-changing 72-mile walking pilgrimage along the last stages of the ancient El Camino (The Way) pilgrimage trail, en route to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. My hope is to attract young men between the ages of 18-40 who at some level are still discerning their vocation to join me. The hope is that thinking big with this type of retreat experience will reap great rewards for the discernment of those participating. The pilgrimage will be June 10-19, 2013.
Since the 10th century, pilgrims have walked to the Cathedral of the Apostle St. James, in Santiago de Compostela, in northern Spain. Legend holds that St. James' remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. The many routes to the cathedral are known as “caminos,” or ways. In the past, walking the Camino was a traditional form of penance, and pilgrims received an indulgence to pardon their sins for making the journey. During the Middle Ages, the routes were highly traveled; however, the Black Death, the Protestant Reformation and political unrest in 16th-century Europe led to their decline. Since the mid-‘80s, the Camino trails have attracted thousands of modern-day pilgrims each year from all around the globe. For a current exposition on the Camino, see the 2012 movie starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, “The Way”.
Why walk the Camino? Outside of the Holy Land, the Camino is one of the oldest pilgrimages in all of Christendom. By walking this storied path, you will have the opportunity to “walk in the footsteps” of thousands of pilgrims before you. The ancient pilgrim saw this journey as a symbol of the life of Christ and a reminder that their own lives were pilgrimages to heaven.
Above all, it was and will be an opportunity for growing in your relationship with Christ and better discern, “where is the Lord calling me to serve Him?” It will be a physical challenge, but also a grand spiritual reward.
In order for this type of pilgrimage to have any chance for success, support will be needed, both spiritually and financially, of many people. Spiritually, your prayers for a safe and holy trip across the ocean to the Camino, and every step along the way, and also prayers for the men who will be joining me, that they allow the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts for clarity in their specific calling from the Lord. Financially, I am attempting to raise money for the pilgrims to help defray the cost of this spiritual journey. My goal is to raise $15,000, which will be distributed to the pilgrims as $500 scholarships. The pilgrims will also be provided with information as to how they can “beg for alms” from family and friends. It is important to ensure that any young man who desires to make this pilgrimage will not be denied because of a lack of funds. Any money not used for this pilgrimage will be sent directly to the Fisherman’s Fund, which is a lay organization established in 2005 for the Archdiocese of Detroit by a group of dedicated Catholic lay men and women who raise money to help our college seminarians afford the tuition, room and board ($19,500 per year) at the seminary. Since its inception, the Fisherman’s Fund has distributed more than $975,000 to seminarians and lay students. They are an invaluable partner with the Vocation Office and are always in need of more generous support. Without their help, many of our present seminarians, your future priests, would not be in the seminary today. For more information, contact them at (313) 883-8779 or www.fishermansfund.com.
The cost of the Camino pilgrimage will be $2,199 per person, plus additional funds for food and incidentals along the way.
The full itinerary and registration form is available for viewing and download on the Office of Priestly Vocations website: www.detroitpriest.com. There is a $50 discount offered for any registrations received by Sept. 27, 2012.
Perhaps you have a son, grandson, brother, nephew, or fellow parishioner who might benefit from this experience? Maybe you are that someone? Sometimes you have to go away in order to find yourself, to find your vocation. If you are worried about some aspect of the pilgrimage, follow the often-quoted Scripture from Blessed John Paul II whenever he was seeking inspiration for himself or others, “Be not afraid!”
I have limited spots available for the pilgrimage, so if you are interested, contact the Vocation Office without too much delay. I am confident with the help and prayers of people throughout our great archdiocese, many young men will have the opportunity to ”pray with their feet” and meet the Lord along “the Way” to their vocation.
Fr. Tim Birney is director of the archdiocesan Office of Priestly Vocations. He can be contacted at [email protected].
