“We Choose Our Own Path” by Dan

How many times have we heard these words at a funeral?

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

(2 Tim 4:7)

In a race, a marathon, a life, we are competing to win by staying stronger than the illness or next person. “The Way” the movie, was viewed last night on zoom. Were we physically alone last night? …maybe; Were we spiritually alone? …not at all!

“The Way” is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world.”

“Ever-changing and complicated world” is the norm since the beginning of time and the future. How did the past generations navigate through these human difficulties? Many books to reference but as an individual, we chose our own path.

Antioch hopefully will be a reference for the candidates to navigate their future, their path as loving caring Christians with moments of unconditional love. This is my HOPE!

Dan

The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.

The Way of St James became a major pilgrimage route of medieval Christianity from the 10th century onwards.

In the 15th century, it was actually considered one of the three main pilgrimages of Christianity (including Rome and Jerusalem).

Legend holds that St James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain, where he was buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The most popular route (which gets very crowded in mid-summer) is the Camino Frances which stretches 780 km (nearly 500 miles) from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port near Biarritz in France to Santiago

Some people set out on the Camino for spiritual reasons; many others find spiritual reasons along the Way as they meet other pilgrims, attend pilgrim masses in churches and monasteries and cathedrals, and see the large infrastructure of buildings provided for pilgrims over many centuries.

“Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence.” (Lin Yutang)

This year’s Antioch Theme is the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

We are all longing for a journey. Coming out of the Pandemic, we realize how we have been disconnected from ourselves, with our community, and with our God. We have to step out and once again to take up a journey to which the Lord is calling us. We go on this spiritual journey because we want to reconnect with ourselves, our community and with our God.

The Camino theme is meaningful to the directors of this year’s Antioch Retreat. Kasia walked the Camino, and Fr JC lived in Spain during his seminary years. They both have experienced the richness of the symbols and significance of what it means to “walk the Camino”. Our Pastor Fr. Bob, whose parish was St. James (Santiago) in Springfield before coming to Presentation, also is very much familiar with the meaning of the Camino.

We are also building up from the Freshmen-Sophomore theme last Fall: “Look up! We’re on Safari”. The theme speaks to us of our youth wanting to learn and observe – and their readiness to “take it all in” and open their eyes to the wonders of God in this modern age.

Antioch is a huge part of the spirituality of our Young Adult Ministry here at Presentation. Antioch is a real foundation for many young adult Christians in our parish. Therefore, we are taking on the challenge of a spiritual journey – the Camino, as a response to the Pope’s present call for a Church Synod on Synodality – to walk together as a people of God. We believe that through us young adults and teens, God is building up a strong foundation for a community of faith, that will prepare pathways for future generations to walk on.

“[The Camino] is a way sown with so many demonstrations of fervor, repentance, hospitality, art and culture which speak to us eloquently of the spiritual roots of the Old Continent.” (Pope Benedict XVI).