The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Why You Should Keep a Journal While on Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is so much more than just a vacation. It is a calling from God to encounter Him in a new way. As you journey across the world, the aesthetic beauty of the sacred sites and shrines point us to the source of beauty Himself. These experiences are life-changing as we learn in a new way the incredible legacy of the Church and the way in which we are called to spread the Gospel through our own lives.

There are many different reasons to go on pilgrimage. No matter what your motivation may be, it is always a calling. Every pilgrimage we take is incredibly intentional on the part of God. Just as we can read the same scripture passage and always discover something new, in the same way every pilgrimage reveals new truths about the Lord and ourselves.

Over the course of your pilgrimage, each day will be filled with new adventures and memories. With so many life-changing experiences and graces being received, it is important to pause and ask the Lord what He is seeking to reveal to you during this special time.

This is why one of the best habits you can develop on pilgrimage is keeping a journal. Not only will this give you the opportunity to write down and remember these experiences and precious memories, but it will also help you to capture the whisperings of the Holy Spirit that are placed in your heart throughout your pilgrimage. 

Keeping a journal can be as simple as a small notebook that you keep with you throughout your travels. If you are new to journaling and are unsure of where to start, use this simple outline as a way to guide your thoughts and briefly reflect on your experiences at the end of each day:

• The places I visited today were…

• What was the place that touched my heart most? Why?
  
• A point that resonated with me during Father’s homily today was…

• One thing I never want to forget about today is…

• Today I felt the Holy Spirit saying…

By taking just a few minutes each day to write down your thoughts on these simple questions, you will be able to capture thoughts and memories that you would maybe have otherwise forgotten. Upon returning home, you will be able to relive these memories and take time to pray on all of the ways in which God spoke to you on your pilgrimage. Although pilgrimages will eventually come to an end, the graces and memories you receive on your time away will continue to be discovered and last a lifetime.