I walked through the Cathedral before our pilgrimage began. Upon departing, the pastor appeared and introduced me to two young men, Hilary and Rudy, who had just arrived in town as pilgrims to the Cathedral. Their journey began in California and was destined for New York. At this moment they stood before me ready to partake of the beauty before us. They were on their way to Minneapolis and when asked where they would be staying, they said…their car! I was struck. I was struck by their simplicity and authentic abandonment to God. It was tempting to think somehow they were more authentic pilgrims that we. Then I was moved. I was moved and invited them to join us. Maybe their pilgrimage needed our pilgrimage? Apparently so...

Having completed our pilgrimage around the block, only feet from where we originally met, I saw them standing together again. I recognized my desire to share this life more deeply with them. I wanted them to stay with us, so I invited them to partake of the rest of the day instead of going on to Minneapolis. They said “yes”! So many incredible events followed this “yes”. They awakened us to the surprising ways Christ manifests himself and enters in. It would be impossible to explain all these two young men have done for us in South Dakota. Our pilgrimage needed their pilgrimage!

Two sets of pilgrims recognized their needs and discovered Him. In the words of Hilary the pilgrim, “The beauty of the Church building is just average compared to the beauty of the souls in the church.” Hilary wrote these words from a home and a bed provided by new friends.

A Beautiful Day!