“Whoa there, pilgrim.”
I can still close my eyes and hear John Wayne so characteristically speak those words.
Of course, from childhood I had an idea of what a pilgrim was. They were the men on the Mayflower with tall black hats, white shirts and brass-buckle shoes. Still to this day, I don’t know why the Duke referred to anyone as a pilgrim. There sure wasn’t anyone who looked like those men and women who landed at Plymouth Rock in any of his movies.
To the social detriment of America, John Wayne passed away in 1979. Has anyone been called a pilgrim since? Do they still exist? In the words of Baloo the Bear, “You better believe it.”
While they don’t only appear in old west movies or sport stylish outfits of the 17th century, millions of pilgrims exist. Not just in America, but throughout the world.
Plainly put, a pilgrim is someone who undertakes a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place for religious, spiritual or moral significance. Christian men, women and children have been undertaking journeys like this for centuries. In the Middle Ages, pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Canterbury and Rome were common.
Just like they did in previous centuries, these sights still draw large numbers of Christians seeking to undertake the journey, joining with it prayer and devotion, and growing closer to God. One of the more popular pilgrimages in modern times is the Camino de Santiago. A 490-mile journey undertaken on foot from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain.
While long journeys to far away and foreign lands may or may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are opportunities closer to home to lace up your walking shoes and join other Christians in a pilgrimage. Combining with it prayer and purpose, remembrance and devotion, and, at the end, growing closer to God.
Every Good Friday, the Immaculate Heart of Mary/Pope John Paul II Catholic Church leads a local pilgrimage that is open to all. The pilgrimage follows U.S. 160 for approximately 4 1/2 miles, ending at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church at 353 S. Pagosa Boulevard. Along the route, there are locations to rest, rehydrate and use the restroom.
This year, due to construction, the April 3 pilgrimage will start at 3 p.m. from the parking lot downhill from Motel SOCO. In addition to the new start location and new start time, shuttle service will be provided by the church in cooperation with Archuleta County Mountain Express Transit. Pilgrims may park at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church and be shuttled to the starting point. The shuttle will leave the church at 2:20 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Come out and join fellow Christians as we make a pilgrimage honoring and recalling our Lord Jesus Christ as He carried His cross to calvary. It is an excellent opportunity to partake in prayer and devotion, all the while growing closer to God this Easter.
For more information about the 3 p.m. pilgrimage, 4:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross immediately following the pilgrimage or the 5:30 p.m. Good Friday service, please visit ihmjp2.org or call the Parish Office at (970) 731-5744.
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