Pilgrims on the Road of Faith

Summer is a time when people are usually traveling on a journey. But not all journeys are about distance. Some lead us inward, asking us to slow down, reflect, and rediscover the voice of God.

He Was Called

We celebrate the Feast of St. James on July 25. James left his boat to follow a man he barely knew, placing his trust in a path he could not visualize. He became one of Jesus’ first disciples. His journey took him from Galilee to Jerusalem, even as far as Spain. James is the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers. Today, the Camino de Santiago, Way of St. James, is one of the most well-known pilgrimage routes in the world.

Journey of Hope

The Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, is a powerful image. What makes a pilgrim? A tourist seeks experience. A pilgrim seeks meaning. A tourist follows a map. A pilgrim follows a call. A tourist returns home the same. A pilgrim returns changed. Pilgrimage is not about how far we walk, but how open we are to silence, to others, to God. Each step, each decision, each crossroad in life is a part of the journey of faith.

Living the Message

We may not always know the way ahead, but we do not walk alone. Jesus is the companion who never leaves our side. Our faith moves, listens and responds. James wasn’t perfect, but he kept walking. He gave his life for the one he followed. That is the heart of a pilgrim: not perfection, but perseverance. In our fragile times we are invited to become Pilgrims of Hope. Not people who escape the world’s pain, but people who walk through it with eyes wide open and feet moving forward, trusting in the One who calls us by name.

Wherever this summer takes you, let it be more than a break; let it be a time of returning to what matters.