Too Bad Russia, I Found Something Better....

Holy Land...Here I come....

Well, I have an official return date now, November 22, but for the three weeks before that I will be journeying in the same paths that Jesus and his disciples walked so many thousands of years ago. And right in time to prepare for Advent. (a preparation for a preparation?) I will begin on Mt Carmel and end in Bethlehem, going through Nazareth, the sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, and everything in-between. I can't really express how excited I am about this...so I won't really try....you can guess if you wish. I bring all of you with me.

How the Heck Do You Prepare?

Well, basically from the experience that I have I know one thing, you can't really prepare. Sure, I can bring a tent and a sleeping bag, strap on some shoes...But I know my feet won't be ready...blisters, we meet once again. I know also that I cannot know for sure what will come, emotionally, physically, spiritually, so how is one to prepare? That is the preparation of poverty. Knowing that you will be without, but knowing also that God will provide (and not just physically). My friend and I were talking about what the future holds; we both decided that we were worrying about our preparation and not trusting in God. We were afraid. What is this fear? No, we don't know what will come, and yes, it might be painful, but we know for sure that it will be great. Now I can't remember what exactly was said, but it sounded better than that, but you get the gist. So I mainly prepare with prayer, trying to live always in the present.  But what does it look like to walk for so long? I thought it might be fun to show you what I will be traveling with, a visual packing list, a visual preparation.

Here is pretty much what I will be using/carrying on my back for the next several months....I've got my 97 cent poncho and everything...ALL SET!

A very important part of my preparations has been to ask for prayer from others as well as asking for any intentions to bring with me. Please, if you have any intentions that you would like me to pray for on my pilgrimage, please write to me at tarynawatkins@gmail.com. There's going to be plenty of suffering (among other things) to offer up to God (being out of shape will really help with that one) ...We might as well pass around the wealth. Did I mention my feet are really not prepared...

Oremus Pro Invicem

The Long Path Before Me

Well, it seems like a long path, but what is a couple of months compared to eternity huh? Well these couple of months have me doing a couple of different things...First I will fly to London and see St. Thomas More, then to Spain where I will be at World Youth Day with the brothers of St John. While in Spain I of course will go and see my one and only St. John of the Cross (!!!!) and Teresa of Avila. We will end in thanksgiving to our Lady in Fatima. Really though I begin from this shrine of Mary because from there I will go to Paray le Monial where St Margret Mary and her spiritual director (and my confirmation saint) St Claude de le Colombiere and begin an 850 mile (1360 km) walking pilgrimage to Rome. Along the way is another all star line up of saints: St. John Vianny, St Frances de Sales, St. Augustin, St. Gemma Galgani, and the countless saints once I reach Rome. If I can get a visa in time, I might even go to Moscow to volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity there, but we shall see, Gods will in everything!


View Pilgrimage Route in a larger map