Editor's note: This is the second part of a three-column series. Check the March 25 edition of The Catholic Week online at mobarch.org to read the first column.
In the afternoon of the first day of my pilgrimage on Saint Patrick’s Purgatory, rain started to fall. I had completed my first three stations in the sun.
All of the pilgrims that arrived on the island in the afternoon had to complete their stations in the rain. As I rested, I did not fully comprehend the challenge of making the outdoor stations in the rain.
The Vigil lasts 24 hours beginning on the first day of the pilgrimage and ending on the evening of the second day. During this period, pilgrims are awake the entire time.
There is very little time for rest prior to the start of the Vigil so it ends up being around 36 hours with little or no sleep.
In addition, the fasting adds another challenge to the lack of sleep. The fasting was probably my biggest concern in preparing for the pilgrimage. I did not know if I could go three days without a full meal. A lot of doubts were going through my mind as the sun set on my first day of the pilgrimage.
During the night, four stations are completed. The stations consist of praying while walking and kneeling.
The night stations are in St. Patrick’s Basilica during the night Vigil. Pilgrims walk and kneel in the church reciting the Our Father, Hail Mary and Creed in the same way as the outside stations. After each station, there is a break and pilgrims can go outside or to another room. It is a beautiful location so walking around outside in the dark is a great opportunity for further reflection. During these breaks, it is also a great opportunity to meet pilgrims from across Ireland and Europe. A lot of pilgrims make this journey and it is an opportunity to share faith stories with people from different walks of life. During the pilgrimage, everyone is doing the same program so you are on the same spiritual journey with other believers.
When the sun rises on the second day, there is still a long day ahead of staying awake. Being on Vigil is about being vigilant while opening ourselves to God and staying alert to his message. It can help us refocus our lives in a sacred space without distractions that come into our daily lives. I do not remember being hungry or sleepy for the most part because my focus was on God.
During the day there was Mass, Reconciliation and the Way of the Cross. In addition, each pilgrim completed one station outside. Remember when I mentioned that my first three stations were in the beautiful sunshine? During my one station outside on this day, it was raining hard. The stones that were challenging to kneel on during a sunny day now became extremely difficult in the rain. The stones were very slippery and I would slide off while I was praying. During the first part of the station, I really felt like there was no way I was going to complete this one station. The other pilgrims became an inspiration. First I drew strength from the pilgrims that were completing the same station at the same time. Then my thoughts went to the pilgrims that arrived for their first day on my second day. They were completing three stations in the rain. Suddenly my thought turned to how easy I had it the day before and my prayers were for those who were going through their stations in the rain. They were in the beginning of their pilgrimage and I was nearing the end of mine.
Next month the conclusion of my pilgrimage and impact on my faith.
— Tex Phelps is the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He may be emailed at [email protected] Visit our website, www.ArchMobYouth.org Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ArchMobYouth and follow us on Twitter and Instagram - @ArchMobYouth