On Being a Pilgrim: Part Two, Traveling with Kids

God has blessed us with five little ones with whom we make our travels. Ultimately, much of my desire to go on pilgrimage is to instill this practice in them. Sometimes our journey is specific to a holy place and sometimes it happens along another journey. Recognizing that God is with you wherever you roam is the most important lesson.

Plan…and adjust

Planning is so important when we think about taking a pilgrimage. Homeschooling means the kids are often pulled in to help with the logistics as a math or geography lesson. Look into these states…what is there that looks interesting to you? What would you like to explore? We always begin with a fairly specific schedule (even approximate times) and we always vary from that schedule. The itinerary is a “suggestion” on our pilgrimages. Sometimes you need to stop and spend more time on something, sometimes you have a sick child that needs to sleep late, sometimes you see something you hadn’t expected and want to do that too/instead. Being present to the trip and not just “following the schedule” will allow for those Holy Spirit moments along the way.

Make it Meaningful for Them

I have my Patron Saints (Joachim and Anne are our wedding anniversary, Elizabeth Ann Seton as an educating mom, St. Gerard, Our Lady under all of her titles) and the family knows if there is a shrine, church, or activity that corresponds on our travels, we will be there. I also have six other family members on the journey and their Saints also figure into the planning. When we look at Masstimes.org for the area we plan to visit, there are often one or two shouts, “Hey, there is a St. Dominic parish there!” or, “The Poor Clares have a convent there!” Traveling on special Feast Days, Baptism Days or Solemnities are also a great way to excite the little people. We were traveling to a funeral on the eve of St. Nicholas Day this year. The kids were amazed and excited that the generous Saint found their shoes even away from home!

Remember that God is outside of church buildings as well

I have been known to go church-heavy on our pilgrimages. We took a week-long “Holy Door tour” during the Year of Mercy and the first three days had 9 doors scheduled! (I think we made it to 5.) It’s always good to go to the source – Mass and Confession – and explore the Catholic churches of whatever region you visit. Sometimes, though, the Holy Spirit makes His presence known even when you are miles from the nearest church.

One recent trip involved equal parts school-related sites, churches, and family visits. In a deep corner of Southwest Missouri, we made a scheduled stop at the George Washington Carver National Monument and museum. We were driving through the area and I thought it would be an excellent learning experience for the kids – a man who faced all sorts of hardships but still used his gifts to help others (not to mention all of his amazing discoveries). Imagine my great joy when, all through the museum, it was abundantly clear that this man had a deep faith and a deep desire to follow God’s will for his life!

“God is going to reveal to us things He never revealed before if we put our hands in His. No books ever go into my laboratory. The thing I am to do and the ways of doing it are revealed to me.”

“…how can I be sure that I’m on the right road? … ’In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ Now you must learn to look to Him for direction and then follow, and you will never go wrong.” –George Washington Carver

We also visited the beach on that particular trip. Standing beside the vast water, looking out into the sunset. Even times like these, far away from a church, you can take a moment to vocalize the awesome presence of God’s greatness in His creation.

Let the Little People in on the Lessons

When we returned to Europe to give thanks at the Shrine that we believe played a great part in our gift of children, I was carrying our sixth baby. It was early in the pregnancy and I knew that it would probably not go to term. It was difficult to go through the experiences of the trip with only my husband’s confidence, especially when I ultimately miscarried our child the day before we returned home.

The trip would have not been the proper time to sit and talk with them, there were too many other stresses, but after returning home we took the opportunity to explain what happened. Their sibling happened to be born, by God’s good providence, in the village of my ancestors, in my cousin’s home. The son of my cousin is a Catholic priest who then took the baby to be laid to rest next to my ancestors. This was a lot for them to take in but the overall understanding was there…if we had to give our baby back to God, how good He was to make sure that our little one would be born into a place of love where her body could rest among family.

Every family is different and the Holy Spirit works differently in each life. We find it so important, in big and small things, to open these experiences to our children who then usually surprise us with insight beyond what we had hoped. How good is God to let their innocence provide such clarity and trust in His workings through their lives? How grateful we are to have these opportunities to let Him lead us to these most powerful lessons of His protection and love.