Pilgrims of hope

Going on a pilgrimage often leads us far beyond the destination itself. Becoming a pilgrim reveals an inner quest that lives
within us—a longing we have carried deep inside, postponed too many times. Daring to set out is, therefore, a defining moment.

 Of course, on a pilgrimage, while we may know the departure date, can we really anticipate the fruits of the journey to come?
Should we not simply accept that nothing is guaranteed on a pilgrimage and instead surrender ourselves to it in trust?

Pilgrims of hope

What does it mean to hope? In his encyclical on this very subject, Pope Benedict XVI distinguished between everyday hopes, which can be more or less important, and the great hope that has been given to us in Jesus Christ. What is this great hope? God will ultimately lead us into fullness of life in communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The fulfillment of this promise is the great hope, which grounds and gives meaning to all the everyday hopes of our lives.