June 16, four young Franciscan friars and their mentors set out on foot from Roanoke, Va., for a 300-mile pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. Following the example of St. Francis, they are depending upon the generosity of people they meet along the way for work, food and shelter. Throughout their six-week journey, “We all hope for openings to reflect with other young people on the important issues of our times, the longings of our human hearts, and the desire for peace throughout the world.” Here are some of their reflections from the road.

Comments

[Tom Reagan]

Friars!

This is Tom Reagan, the guy with whom you stayed for your first night in Charlottesville...that you also helped move out the next day (my last day there)! I've never had Mass said in my apartment before. Every bit of meeting you guys and that experience was unbelievable! My parents were dying as were some of my new brothers when I told them the story.

Anyway, I am started with the Dominicans (for postulancy in Providence, RI). On Thursday, I fly to Cincinnati to begin novitiate there.

Maybe I'll see you at your Mother House in Over-the-Rhine or you'll come by St. Gertrude?

Anyway, that was truly amazing! It seems like you guys are nearly and/or completely done! Congrats--pretty sweet!

God bless,
Tom

PS--I haven't used that many exclamation points in a long time.
PPS--OFM: Order of Furniture Movers. Hilarious.
PPPS--I am probably going to be mostly out of commission online for a while...but yeah, it would be cool to see you guys again.

GOD BLESS--AND BLESSINGS FROM YOUR DOMINICAN BROTHERS!

[Debbie O'Brien]

Hello Friars -

My husband and I were truly blessed for the time you spent with us at our vineyard last weekend. Since then, we had actually tried to locate you to make sure you had food and shelter each evening. Knowing you could not walk on the freeway, we thought you would take Hwy 50 into DC. However, we were not able to locate you. We even called the Archbishop, a fellow O'Brien, to ask his assistance in locating you. However, our concerns for your needs were alleviated this weekend, when we met a precious lady (forgive me for not remembering her name). She reported that you had taken a different route into D.C. and we were happy to learn that your needs were in fact being provided for. What am I saying?!?! This is a journey of faith - of course, our wonderful Lord, would ensure your needs were met!

I was excited to learn that you will be at the monestary on Wednesday and my husband and I plan to drop by and visit with you.
You are an inspiration and example of what it truly means to put complete trust in the Lord for your every need. What an overwhelming loving relationship each of you must have cultivated with our dear Father during this journey!

The O'Briens

[Liz McCloskey]

Hello Friars,

I hear you are coming to Falls Church, Va., on your way to Washington, D.C. Who is hosting you? We would love to help welcome you by stopping by.

Blessings on your journey!

The Leibold Family

[David Kelly, OFM]

Hello Brothers,

I hope all is well for you. I had the homily for the three English Masses this past weekend at St. Stanislaus in Cleveland and I mentioned your pilgrimage and website. Happy Feastday of Saint Bonaventure!

David Kelly, OFM

[Anna Lee Fenger]

Friars, I am writing to you from Springfield, Ill. My family and I are members of a small Franciscan parish in Bloomington, Ill. Father Gregg told your story at Mass on Sunday. As a nurse and healthcare executive, I have been privileged to serve Franciscan healthcare for over 34 years. The courage and enthusiasm that you've shown is characteristic of our sponsoring Franciscan sisters who began their ministry in America some 134 years ago. I will share your story with the 80+ Sisters that make up Hospital Sisters Health System. They prayers will keep you safe in your travels. Your youth and commitment bode well for the future of Franciscan ministries. Be safe and God bless. Anna Lee Fenger

[Stephen King]

We enjoyed meeting you at Blessed Sacrament in Harrisonburg, Va., this morning, July 12th. We feel so lucky that we and our children had the opportunity to chat with you briefly after Mass. We wish you well on your journey and will keep you in our prayers.

Stephen (VMI '88) and Mary King

[Daniel Burke]

Dear Brothers: At Mass this morning (7/9) my thoughts were with you. The Gospel reading (Matthew 10:7-15)took me to what you are experiencing by hearing Jesus tell his Apostles: ... " Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace ..." Thank you for your trust in God and for helping us see what truly matters in our own individual life journey. Peace and Love as you witness in all you do. Dan B.

[Br. Chris Leigh ofm]

Dear Brothers,

News travels fast - I'm following your pilgrimage here in Canterbury, England. May God bless you on your journey as you follow in Francis' steps. What a wonderful witness to the Lord's care and love for us all.

Your brother, Chris Leigh, OFM, Immaculate Conception Province, England

[Jerry Rousseau, sfo]

Dear brothers,

What a wonderful adventure in following the footsteps of Christ in the way of our Seraphic Father. Please know that our Secular Franciscan fraternity will be praying for you and keeping up with your journey.

Peace and All Good,
Jerry Rousseau, SFO

[Cathi Ritzman]

I was blessed to meet Brothers Josh, Richard, Cliff and Roger in Goode, Va., as they rested in the gazebo at a local market. I could have sat at their feet listening to them all afternoon! They witnessed so brilliantly of another way of being, another way of following Christ. I'm a new convert to the Catholic Church and I continue in awe at the depth of faith, hope and love I am finding in His people. God has given me a pearl of great price in showing me the riches of faith, fellowship and simplicity within His Church by leading me to these young men, if only for a brief encounter under the gazebo!

[Brother David]

Dear Brothers, You make my heart sing God's praises. “We give thanks to Yahweh for he is good and extol him in your works, because he has sent you into the whole world for this, namely, to give testimony to his voice in word and work and to make known to all that there is no other Almighty besides him.” Saint Francis of Assisi

You make us all proud to call you brothers. Your witness of Christ Jesus following in the footprints of Father Francis ignites our Franciscan fire. Be assured of our daily prayers.

May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Peace and all good! Your brothers at St. Clement Friary

[Daniel Burke]

Dear Brothers, Greetings from California. Congratulations to each one of you in making your first vows of profession. May God's protection and grace be with you. Thank you for reminding us of the important elements of our lifes' journey that as a society we seem to have forgotten --simplicity-relationships-and trust in God. May your journey grow you closer to Christ and reflect His Love to all you encounter. Love & Peace, Dan B

[Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM]

Pilgrim brothers,

Here in Assisi, I was behind Br. Jose Carballo, our General Minister, tonight in the dinner line. I told him about your pilgrimage. As he was being whisked off to be put at the head of the line, he asked me to give his prayer and good wishes to all of you. So you are in his prayer and thoughts as you journey.

I wish you all the best. May you encounter Christ on your journey!

Jeff

[Tim Lamb]

Brothers, As you begin your journey of faith in God's Providence, May God shower you with his love and blessings on this day. May he protect you and guide you on the good path. May he lead you to fullness of life in Him. Peace and keep the wind at you back. Tim Lamb

[Phil Robinette, OFM]

Brothers,

You cannot imagine how excited we all are as you begin your journey. You are following in the footsteps of Christ, much like our Father Francis did. Despite difficulties, each day will be a new gift. I wish I was with you, but you will all be in my prayers. May each mile of your journey be full of blessings.

Peace, love and mercy,
Phil

[Greg Friedman, OFM]

May your "Christwalk" be blessed. I have already met someone from one of your VA destinations awaiting you! I wish you many adventures courtesy of the God whom you will meet!

Greg, OFM

[Fr. Don Miller, O.F.M.]

Brothers,

My prayers are with you as you begin your journey in faith. May you find God in your pilgrimage and see the face of Jesus in those you encounter along the way.

I am sure that your courage and faith will be an inspiration not only for the friars of our province and elsewhere, but also for those contemplating a possible vocation with us.

Thank you for your witness.

Don

[David Leary]

Dear brothers

I have been thinking of, and praying for, you all during your novitiate which is about to end. Sydney, Australia is a long way from Cedar Lake, IN, and yet the commonality between us is the desire to live the Gospel with faith, in humility and with simplicity, following Francis as he lived with and loved the lesser ones in our society.

I pray for each one of you as you make first profession. I pray for each of you as you set out on this journey.

Peace and good to you all.

David

[Fred Link, OFM]

Dear Cliff, Ed, Josh, Mark, Richard and Roger,
I am so proud of you guys and grateful for your generous spirits. You can be assured that I will hold you close in prayer each day. I pray for you, and pray that I may learn such magnanimity in my own journey.
I know you will not journey alone. Be safe and travel in peace!
Congratulations to you, Cliff, Josh and Roger--and to Dan and Tim also--on letting God lead you to be received into obedience.
How blessed our province is--as are Assumption and Sacred Heart.
Your brother,
Fred

[Jeffrey Scheeler, OFM]

Brothers,

Greetings from the holy city of Assisi, where the friars are gathered for the regular General Chapter, held every six years.

As you make first profession and set out on this journey of faith, walking in hope, please know that you have the prayerful support of all your brothers. Your faith in the goodness of God inspires us to continue walking our own journey. I look forward to reading of your expereinces, and I will be happy to meet you at the end in Washington, DC. May you walk in faith, hope and love!

Your brother, Jeff