Practical Tips

When Going on Pilgrimage

The following are 10 practical suggestions to consider when planning a spiritual pilgrimage.

• Separation
  Prepare to move from the normal and the familiar into the spiritual and quiet. This takes some planning as well as time and focus. Before you depart, seek a blessing for your journey from your pastor or spiritual director.

• Daily Prayer
  It is essential to enter into a daily rhythm of prayer both alone and with others in the morning and evening while on pilgrimage. Take a prayer book and Bible with you.

• Holy Eucharist
  Even if it is not the norm of your spiritual tradition, seek to break sacred bread and the shared cup as often as possible while on pilgrimage.

• Walking the Way
  Walking is at the heart of pilgrimage both for connection with Holy places and with saints of both the past and present. Try not to take photos until after you have walked around the site and begun to feel its sacredness.

• Sharing the Moment
  If you travel alone, be sure to enter into conversation with others. You will be surprised by the gifts of the moment received from such conversations. If you travel in a group, have a moment every day to share the experiences of the day together.

• Meditate
  Sit and reflect on what you have seen and what you have heard and what you have touched and what you have felt. Write down your thoughts at the end of the day. Keeping a daily journal is important.

• Read of Sacred Things
  Read the story of where you are, both of the ancient and the present. Try to avoid television and newspapers while you are on pilgrimage.

• Rest Well
  Let your body care for itself and heal itself with rest.

• Eat Simply
  While on pilgrimage, eat in a healthy manner, neither too much nor too little. Balance in all things.

• Sharing Your Journey
  When you return home, share your spiritual journey with others and write your remembrances.