My Why

I first heard about the Camino de Santiago from my friend Anthony. The only details of his story I remember are 500 miles, destroyed feet, and a wild encounter with God through it all. From the very beginning the Camino intrigued me, and now that I’ve graduated and have a few months off, I finally have the chance to go. The adventure, the spiritual growth, and the simplicity of the pilgrim lifestyle are what have drawn me in most. 

My wedding is in May. I am marrying my best friend of over 7 years. It has certainly been a long time coming. I’m sure saying goodbye to Mikayla will have been one of the hardest parts of my Camino, but I truly am walking for her. I want to become a better man for her, more capable of enjoying the simple things in life and being less distracted. I want to become stronger for her; physically, mentally, and spiritually. To be a good husband and father is to know how to sacrifice well, and I want to learn this lesson in its entirety. No suffering on my Camino will go to waste; I will offer everything for her.

After the wedding, Mikayla and I will be Catholic missionaries for college students with an organization called FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Other than my wedding, of course, this is the most exciting part of my life thus far. I can’t wait to depend on God for everything: my salary, my spiritual growth, and the impact we'll have on college students' lives. I know that we will encounter many highs and lows, but this is what the Camino will prepare me for!

As you can see, I have a lot to be thankful for. God has blessed me so abundantly and I want to offer this pilgrimage to Him in thanksgiving. My highs and lows, joys and sorrows, pleasures and pains, the best and the worst moments. God has given me a blessed 23 years of life; the least I can do is spend one month offering absolutely every moment to God. 

This pilgrimage is not just a month-long journey; it's a commitment to continue offering my life to God throughout the years to come. My journey is only beginning, and that will be the case for the rest of my life. The truth is, we are all pilgrims in this life. “The world is thy ship and not thy home.” I believe that God has established pilgrim routes such as the Camino de Santiago so that we can learn this essential truth. And even though I know this truth, I want to experience it in its entirety; I want to know what it means to be a pilgrim. 

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

— St. Teresa of Avila