Going on a pilgrimage

Pilgrims of hope. This is the motto of all Catholics around the world in celebration of the jubilee. As pilgrims of hope, 22 sisters of the Daughters of Saint Paul and two brothers of the Society of Saint Paul have embarked on a pilgrimage from Aug. 18 to Sept. 3, following the footsteps of Saint Paul, who lived and proclaimed the Good News in Turkey and Greece.

Pilgrimage is always inspiring and challenging. In celebrating the jubilee year of hope and trust, many faithful people are willing to make a pilgrimage. I believe that Saint Paul will inspire and empower our spiritual journeys, and I also believe that my remaining religious life will grow stronger through this pilgrimage.

Within the Korean Catholic Church, the religious movement for spiritual renewal is going on under the title of the year of Consecrated Life. In our congregation, the 12th General Chapter will be held in September in Rome. As if to be the underlying seed of all these religious events, we are going on a pilgrimage with hope.

I have personally renewed myself in the first half of this year while living in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. To train myself, I have regularly climbed little mountains up to the point of losing 10 kilograms. I have also tried to skip having dinner.

Furthermore, I have looked back on my whole life. Thanks to the providence of God, I could have the eyes of kindness and goodness. As I opened my inner eyes of mercy and love, I could see so many gifts alive around me. I have met so many good people in Andong.

This pilgrimage is God's unexpected gift. Thanks to the generous and thoughtful sisters in the Korean provincial community, I planned one month’s spiritual exercises and prepared for this upcoming retreat in September.

All of a sudden, one of the sisters preparing for pilgrimage injured her leg and had to wear a cast. The pilgrimage group was in need of another sister to make up for her place and I was chosen because I missed the opportunity for the pilgrimage several years ago when my fellow sisters made it.

This pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime event for religious sisters, for we take turns to make it by year of profession.

Surprising gifts are sometimes hidden, but they are always given in various ways as free and unexpected providence. Giving and receiving gifts always makes us joyful and happy.

Recently, as I went to Daejeon to visit my family, I noticed a long line in front of Sungsimdang bakery in Lotte Department Store and even in Daejeon Station. It seemed that people did not mind waiting in long lines because they knew some portion of the proceeds went to socially disadvantaged people.

Like a long winding line in front of Sungsimdang, gifts go around with the help of good and generous people. A “cheerful giver” always gives something from the heart with joy, willingness, thanks and compassion.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

Kim Ae-ran is a member of the Daughters of Saint Paul (Figlie di San Paolo), living the Good News and proclaiming it through various means of social communication.