Faithful Living: Making a Marian pilgrimage

May is a month often associated with the veneration of Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. One meaningful way to express our devotion to her is by undertaking a Marian pilgrimage. While it is common to think of organized Marian pilgrimages as the only way to embark on one, a meaningful Marian pilgrimage may be had by simply planning one that you journey alone, with another person, or with your family or a group of friends.

A key part to making a Marian pilgrimage is to embark on a physical journey to a spiritual place. This can be far which will require a considerable trek or can be short as a few blocks' walk. What is essential is the desire to offer this special homage to our Lady and to pray and reflect while going towards the destination and back. This resource provides guidance on how to make a spiritual pilgrimage (printable, one page).

Here are some suggestions of destinations for your Marian pilgrimage...

1. The grotto at the FCJ Christian Life Centre (219 19 Ave SW, Calgary)
2. The grotto at the back of the Lacombe Care Centre ( 270 Providence Blvd SE, Calgary)
   
   

You can always incorporate driving to your pilgrimage especially when the distance is too much to handle for walking. You may consider driving to the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies in Canmore. Drive prayerfully but attentively.
Don't miss the chance to make a pilgrimage during Our Lady of the Cape statue tour in Calgary and Canmore:

• Full schedule here
• St. Mary's Cathedral - on Sunday May 29, from 9 am to 2 pm. 
• The Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies - on Sunday evening, and Monday, May 30 from 10 am to 10 pm. Mass with Bishop McGrattan at 7 pm.

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Consider this...
A pilgrimage may cause some frustration or inconvenience... don't complain.
​Gracefully accept the sacrifice and make it an offering of love.

"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."  Colossians 1:11-12