We are Pilgrims on a Journey

Mary Francis Charsky, International Councilor

For the past month the hymn, Companions on a Journey, has been running through my mind and heart. The lines of this hymn by Carry Landry keep repeating. “We are companions on a journey, breaking bread and sharing life, and the love we bear is the love we share, for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.” These words ring true for us as Franciscans.

This week as we remember Pope Francis, may he rest in peace, let us also realize that this year is the Jubilee Year of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis. My wish for us is to be companions and pilgrims on the journey. Let us embrace this year in solidarity and fraternity and be united with all people throughout the world. A holy year is a special time of renewal, forgiveness and spiritual reflection. Hope sustains us. Why? Because Jesus is with us always until the end of time. Hope sustains us in our lives even when the road ahead seems winding and exhausting. Hope gives us courage in our efforts to build a fraternal, evangelical and peaceful world. This is what Pope Francis believed and stated in his homily of 9-5-2024 when he announced the Holy Year. “Spes non confundit,” hope does not disappoint, Rom 5:5. We need to be singers of hope in a culture that sometimes is marked by much despair. Pope Francis believed in this hope and so do I.

In Pope Francis’s encyclical Fratelli Tutti on fraternity and social friendship, he expressed the need to be together as brothers and sisters in a human family. We are neighbors for all. We need to be pilgrims sowing seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves. We want to sing of hope and humanity; we wish to reawaken our hearts with joy and courage to embrace life, creation and all its goodness. We need to bring hope to those who are sick or suffering in body and spirit. We hope to comfort, help, love and give peace to others. Are you ready in this jubilee year, to be pilgrims of hope with our brothers and sisters in our fraternities, in our nation and throughout the world? Let us bear the load when necessary. You are loved so let us share this love and hope with all!

Let us be pilgrims on the journey together, fellow travelers on the road helping each other, walking together and being singers of hope. Imagine us walking with Jesus and St. Francis on our journey.