A pilgrimage is a journey to some place for the purpose of venerating a relic, visiting a holy site, seeking God’s aid or to fulfil a religious obligation. From the time of the early Church, Catholics have undertaken pilgrimages to do this. Famous early pilgrimages were and still are to Rome and the Holy Land. Other famous pilgrimage destinations include Fatima and Lourdes, Chartres and the Camino.

Originally, one would walk to the place of pilgrimage, something which is still very much part of the Chartres and Camino pilgrimages and our very own Footsteps of Pompallier pilgrimage. And the idea of walking a long distance to reach the desired holy site is still very important and one may say an integral part of a pilgrimage.

Naturally speaking, the end or purpose of a pilgrimage is the end, that is, reaching the destination. Supernaturally speaking, the end or purpose of a pilgrimage is the sanctification of our souls through the graces asked of Our Lord, by offering prayers, sacrifices and mortifications. The holy site or relic which is at the destination is paramount to this. For our purposes, visiting the site of the first Mass in New Zealand offered by Bishop Pompallier should allow us to implore many graces from God and offer prayers there for our various intentions. It should be an occasion to grow closer to God and grow in sanctity.

But, the act of walking a long distance to be able to pray at this historic and holy site also gives us the opportunity to receive many graces from God. This act is an added penance and sacrifice, it is an act of mortification which when offered up to God is very meritorious and implores many graces from Our Lord. Moreover, the act of walking as a group is a wonderful witness to our Catholic faith in a world growing ever colder. And so, while the destination is the end, the means (walking) to that end is also very important.