Really only the essentials, which is somewhat varied for each person. We aren't going to have any camping or cooking supplies. Our hope is that we can find some odd jobs to do for food and shelter, and those who are ordained will offer to preside at Mass, not for a monetary stipend, but for some food and a place to sleep. But if we cannot find any work, we will beg.
It was good having to reflect on what my "essentials" are, both in what I am trying to bring to the pilgrimage and take from it. I am sure that I will learn more about that along the journey.
I will close with one of my favorite dialogues from the movie City Slickers:
Curly: You know what the secret of life is?
Mitch: No, what?
Curly: This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean sh*t.
Mitch: That's great, but what's the one thing?
Curly: That's what you've got to find out.
--Posted by Josh
Blessings to the Friars who I just met on 17th Street, NW, Washington DC, as they passed by my office at the FDIC at about 1:00pm! It was a joy to meet you and see you on the streets of this city. May God keep you and get you safely to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.
Elaine
Posted by: Elaine Drapeau | 07/28/2009 at 01:42 PM
I was at some friends' home for supper the other night and showed them the website of your pilgrimage. They were thrilled to see it and remembered they had friends who live in Virginia right on your path. They were going to call them to keep their eyes open as you pass by.
Our prayers are with you all the way.
Posted by: Jim Van Vurst, OFM | 06/25/2009 at 06:29 AM
Thank you guys for letting me take a photo with you today. I will share your story with my congregation this Wednesday night. May your faith be strong, and may God protect and guide you on your journey.
Rev. Mark Snowden
Harvest Baptist Church
Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus
Posted by: Rev Mark Snowden | 06/23/2009 at 02:07 PM
Thanks Josh for that movie thought.
Good luck on your trip brother.
Tom
Posted by: Tom Fame | 06/22/2009 at 07:32 AM
Good luck on your pilgrimage!!! I admire your passion to emulate Father Francis. I am an aspiring Secular Franciscan in the Philippines, I hope we can do something like this here!!
Posted by: John | 06/22/2009 at 12:42 AM
Brothers,
As we celebrate today the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, be assured of the thoughts and prayers of the friars at Sacred Heart Peoria. You lift our hearts by your pilgrimage and renew our hope! May God bless you!
Fr. Larry, Fr Luis, Fr. Bert, Fr. Aquinas
Posted by: Larry Zurek | 06/19/2009 at 12:56 PM