Last evening’s Transitus service offered a beautiful retelling of the last day’s of St. Francis. What was especially notable for me this year was how the stories show us how Francis teaches us how to die well. After living a good life, he teaches us how to peacefully transition from this life to the next. Today, I’m going to reflect on the advice or wisdom about the admonition of Saint Francis to his early followers AND to us for journeying in this life…the call to live as pilgrims and strangers in the world.

My inspiration for today’s reflection comes not from the early 13th century, the time of St. Francis, but rather a few centuries later…the early 17th century…1620 to be exact….the time of the Pilgrims. Yes…those Pilgrims…the 102 brave souls who embarked on the Mayflower, sailed across the ocean and eventually landed in what is now Plymouth, MA.

The root of this inspiration is my recent visit to Plymouth. I visited with Sr. Melanie and her sister Claire. Thanks to a cousin who has researched our family genealogy, I learned that I am a direct descendant of four of the Mayflower passengers. My 9th and 10th great-grandparents. During my trip I visited their gravesites and homestead, the home of one of their sons, and toured a reproduction of the Mayflower ship. I learned about their motivation, their hopes and desires…and the perils they faced on the journey.

While it’s true there had been prior settlers from Europe to the New World, what is historically significant about these pilgrims is that this was a group of people, a community brought together by their shared faith and their common desire to live a deeply Christian way of life. Some scholars believe a primary source of inspiration for the Pilgrims’ journey is a scripture reference from the Book of Hebrews. “They saw themselves as foreigners and strangers on the earth; people looking for a country of their own.” (Heb 11:13) They sought a place where they could live in harmony with one another, supporting one another, free to worship God in the manner they wished. Their intention was to form a new Christian community … a colony of the faithful.

Of course, these pilgrims are not the only pilgrims. From ancient times, people embarked on journeys to sacred and holy places and every major religious tradition includes some kind of sacred journey. The Ancient Greeks traveled to the Pantheon; Hindus trek to the Ganges; Muslims to Mecca and Jews to Jerusalem, Christians go to Rome as well as the Holy Land. And we Franciscans of course…make pilgrimages in the footsteps of Francis and Clare in Assisi.

The word “pilgrim” originates from the Latin “peregrinus” meaning a foreigner or stranger. It later came to be associated with a person traveling to a holy place as a form of religious obligation or for seeking some miracle or spiritual bene􀏐it. On pilgrimage, the traveler is a foreigner in several ways: a stranger to those one meets; a stranger to the new places one visits; and possibly a stranger to the experiences and the inward transformation a journey can evoke.

But what does it really mean to live as a pilgrim and stranger in the world? We need only look to our scripture readings today for inspiration.

Firstly we must listen to the advice from Saint Paul. We should not have any anxiety or fear… rather put our trust in God. With a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, we offer our requests to God and trust that all our needs will be taken care of. We are to surrender our expectations, and rely only on the goodness and abundance that God provides.

When the time was right, Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the good news to all who would hear it. Likewise, Francis sent his brothers out to preach the Gospel and the way of peace to all the peoples they encountered. Francis teaches us to adopt and attitude of simplicity and minority, not seeking power over others, rather to live one with.

In his First Rule, St. Francis cites today’s Gospel from Matthew. He instructed his brothers to live without anything of their own and to go into the world with confidence to beg alms and live on the kindness of strangers. Francis was clearly inspired by the same text from Hebrews and as well as the first letter of Peter, who wrote, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims living among the pagans… may they see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11.

St. Francis teaches us that the journey is essential to the dream. To be authentically, Christian, we are to go out to live in the world and be of service to others. Perhaps we are not as brave to embark on a journey without belongings or having a place to stay. But we can adopt the way of pilgrim and stranger in our attitudes and our way of being. Francis encouraged the friars … “go through the world with joy and gladness as servants and subjects of all, being peaceful and humble of heart.” We are to accept with humility what is offered to us. All life is gift. Every person we encounter is an opportunity to meet the Christ.

A pilgrimage need not only be a physical voyage. When lived with intention, all of life can be seen as a sacred journey. Joan Chittister refers to the “pilgrimage of the heart…the search for God at the very core of every longing in the human heart.” Personal growth and the discover of one’s self is also a form of pilgrimage. Carl Jung wrote of the inward journey as the discovery of one’s shadow, and the healing and transformation that results.

There is a great deal of spiritual meaning and association with the notion of being a pilgrim. In fact, there are whole books written about the symbolism, the stages and spiritual aspects of embarking on pilgrimage…but I will leave you with these few ideas..and perhaps a desire to explore the symbolism of pilgrimage for yourself.

My pilgrimage to Plymouth had a profound effect on me. Most especially, visiting the gravesites of my 9th great-grandparents John Howland and Elizabeth Tiley Howland. Of course, we all know that we descend from generations upon generations of ancestors. But for me, knowing their names and hearing a little about their stories, having the opportunity to stand at their gravesites, and feeling the blood connection of 10 generations is indescribable ..and something that I continue to ponder and process.

Elizabeth was 13 years old when she traveled from England with her parents on the Mayflower to the new world. She died at age 80, having given birth to 9 children all of whom survived childhood, and gave her 88 grandchildren. An inscription on her gravestone includes a quote from her last testament. It reads:
“It is my will and and charge to all my children that they walk in the fear of the Lord and in love and peace.”

When I read these words, I was moved to tears. As her granddaughter, I hope that the way that I live my life, the choices I have made, and my vows to live as a Franciscan sister has fulfilled her wish.
I think she may have been an anonymous Franciscan…

For we too are called to live in awe and wonder of our Lord, for the abundance and grace that God provides. We are drawn to live with a spirit of peace and harmony, with love and compassion for all.
I pray that your journey through life is likewise a pilgrimage of love and peace, of faith and hope, and of joy and discovery.

Pace e Bene. May the Lord give you peace.

Written by Sr. Glenna Czachor FCJM