Going on this Lenten pilgrimage was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. To be surrounded by such rich Church history, and Saints who lived incredible lives; and to do all this with such a beautiful group of people was such a blessing. We began the pilgrimage in Paris to walk in the footsteps of Saint Marie Eugénie, foundress of the religious of the assumption. Visiting the Mother house, we were shown the little Museum of St Marie Eugénie, by Sr Véronique the orders archivist! And we were able to pray by St Marie’s grave, after which we had a beautiful Mass celebrated by Father Ged, setting us the themes of friendship, love, and community which followed us throughout the pilgrimage. Something that was said that stuck with me was – that colours in the stained glass look more beautiful when they are surrounded by all the other colours. I think both St Thérèse and St Marie Eugénie would have thoroughly approved of extending this to apply to the Body of Christ – that by each individual being so truly the self that God made them to be we would for a healthy and flourishing Body through our unity in our uniqueness and commitment to serving God wholly in the way that he made us.
To see so many significant places for the faith in such short time was just incredible, I can barely believe I was there – Notre-Dame, to Rue de Bac to the resting place of St Thérèse at the Carmel and the Basilica. Lisieux was truly a blessed experience, everyone who knows of St Thérèse must love her, and through her life and teachings must simply be able to run to the Lord and frolic under his wing like little chick. Her faith seems paradoxical at first – such deep and intense suffering, yet such a desire for self-giving love with a smile and most joyful heart. This sentiment marked the lives of both the Saints we followed, and I have been deeply inspired by their faith which knew God’s love and desired to love despite the waves of suffering and difficulty that came their way. I am so encouraged by the way they held firmly to the Lord and drew strength from him alone.
In an unplanned turn of events, we ended up back in Paris for longer than expected on the final day – which to my great joy meant a visit to the Sacre-Coeur! To walk into such an immensely beautiful Church, so grand, so beautiful and be greeted by Jesus himself present in the blessed sacrament is something beyond words. I found this so special; the Lord brought us to this quiet place of pilgrimage, a quietening of spirit, a time of prayer and fellowship and at the end he brought us up the mountain to himself – the ultimate gift of Love, Love himself poured out for us; our daily bread to go out into the world strengthened by his intoxicating love for us – with a mission to share this with the world as little missionaries of love.
Reflection written by Adelle Antony
link to pilgrimage photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/gbcarmelite/albums/72177720314799254
joint pilgrimage with http://www.assumptionreligious.org
