4-25




I left Detroit at 7 this morning to return to my pilgrimage.  I had a lay over in Philadelphia where I had to get on a little crop duster plane for the twenty minute flight to Baltimore.  Deacon Tex was there waiting to pick me up which I am very thankful for.  Upon returning to Brunswick I began to organize my gear so that I could leave in the morning.  After loading my cart I remembered my left rear tire was making a sound, of course instead of just bending over and looking at it I put it on my to do list  (like i have a ton of things to do that I actually need or have for that matter a list....I'm very lazy).  I figured it just had some dirt in it and I would spray it with some WD-40.  Well after a closer examination I saw that the bearings were shot.  So I ran to the bike store in town and he was gracious enough to band-aid it up until I could get a replacement wheel.  Returnig to the church I called the company and they told me they don't sell replacement wheels.  And it is such a poor design you can't even get replacement bearings if you wanted to.  Trip over?  Not so fast.

4-26

Ed picked me up in the morning and drove me to wal-mart to try and return the piece of junk cart I had.  I almost got it returned but the two woman couldn't find the UBC number in their computer so they called another woman upfront.  She explained they couldn't do it anyways since it was past their warranty date.  There is always one stickler for the rules.  So next Ed drove me to Costco where I picked up a new and improved cart.  This company sells replacement parts.  So I now have a black and yellow cart, with tinted windows, Shaun's cart 2.0.  The bumble bee.  If only it will turn into a camaro and take me the rest of the way.  Ed than took me to a Marian grotto, a replica of Our Lady of Lourdes and her apparation there.  It was very beautiful and I'm very thankful to Ed for taking the time to take me there.  He next dropped me off in Williamsport MD where I quickly put my cart together and headed to the next campsite ab out a mile and half down the towpath.  It took me a bit to get there because I met so many wonderful people.  And it was at this point that I affirmed to myself how glad I was making this pilgrimage walking and not riding a bike.  Everyone tells me I should ride a bike.  Its so much quicker and easier.  1.)I would become part of the problem.  I would be one of those who shall not be named, a cyclist.  2.)  I wouldn't have the opportunity to stop and talk to so many wonderful souls.  On a bike your just go go go, sure you give a nod but thats all there's time for and than your on your way.  So I set up camp and was about to fall asleep when I heard someone ride there bike right next to my tent speaking gibberish.  I went out and saw a bike towing a cart like mine fully loaded in the pitch black.  The man was just mumbling in the dark.  I went over with a spare flashlight and asked if he needed any light, and I got no response.  So I went and got my bear-spray from my cart just incase and went back in my tent.  I met him the next morning, he was a homeless man who just lives on the trail going from campsite to campsite.

4-27

Walked about 15 miles today.  Nothing to eventful happened.  It was a beautiful day for a walk, I started to get a tan.

4-28

Woke up and walked 8 miles to Hancock to hear Mass.  I literally made it into the church just as Mass was starting.  I met Fr. John as I walked through the door.  Deacon Tex had emailed him telling him I was heading up to Hancock.  He frequently makes pilgrimages so we would have alot to talk about.  At the end of Mass he called me up to the front of the church and told the congregation about my pilgrimage and gave me a blessing for my journey.  Afterwards there was a gathering in the social hall.  they were showing a documentary on lyme disease since they live so close to the woods.  Let me tell you that is a horror movie for a hiker like myself.  It's like the exorcist for hikers.  After the gathering Fr. was havng a meeting for his next pilgrimage to Africa  he asked if I would stay and speak to my fellow pilgrims.  i guess he wanted me to light a little fire under them.  I don't know if I did that, I probalbly gave a little puff of smoke and a lot of hot air.  After parting ways I headed back on the trail in the rain.

Sorry I'll have pictures next time I messed up and its taking forever to download them.

4/23

My apologies for not posting in such a long time.  Nothing to exciting happened in the first week I was home and I was actually supposed to fly out last Thursday the 18th but ended up getting the stomach flu and had to cancel my flight.  And during that time I was in no mood to post a blog.  I now officially fly in to Baltimore in two days which I am very excited for.  It was a wonderful trip being home seeing my family.  But my trip can be summed up with one incident that occurred.  I was at a funeral with my father and afterwards at the meal I was naturally sitting next to him.  Next to my father was my uncle Kevin and than next to him was a woman.  The normal small chat was going on and I was just day dreaming per usual.  Well than out of the blue she rocked my whole world.  She asked.....wait for it.....if me and my dad were brothers.  It was fitting I was at a funeral because a little piece of me died that moment.  My dad, God bless him, looks good for his age but hes like 40 years older than me.  Is he timeless or something.  That's it I'm living the Neil Young song Forever Young.  I am shaving my goatee off.  Whatever Justin Bieber is wearing I'm buying.  I've got to do something.  I just looked in the mirror, I think I have crows feet....God help me.

Anyways sorry again and I look forward to getting back to my regular posts starting Thursday.

God Bless

4-6

Nothing to eventful today, packed up my backpack for my trip back home.  Was able to go to Mass which sanctified my whole day.  After church I had a run in with the mean guy who lives next to the church.  (God does have a sense of humor though.  The Church is on Catholic Church road, so this guy has to see that on every piece of mail, he has to write it over and over again.  Sweet justice.)  To put it nicely this man is very vulgar.  It was suggested to me to ignore him, but I decided to “kill him with kindness.”  Taken from the book "Guidance to Heavan":

"Why are you indignant at the injury of a wicked man?  He has only done his own work.  But you must practice the office of a good man if you have the grace of God in your heart.  Endeavor to make him just.  This, however, must be done, not in the spirit of revenge, but in patience and charity; and if you cannot succeed in making him virtuous, you will at least inspire him with affection for you.  Even if you can do neither, you shall render yourself more pleasing to God."

As he tried to insult me I told him how much I loved him, how he looked so nice today, may God bless him; he ended up walking inside with his tail between his legs.  You see people who want a fight are looking for power and control over you.  They expect you to react a certain way and will do all they can to accomplish this.  But, if you do the exact opposite of what they want, well you pull the rug right out from under their feet.  The hunted becomes the hunter.  Think of every fight you’ve ever been in, you know exactly what to say to hurt that other person.  You never throw a compliment in.  It’s a well rehearsed play with each actor playing the fool.  Fortunately the great Director JESUS came down to earth and rewrote the script with a happy ending, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as Thyself.” (Matt. 22:39); for who do we love more than ourselves?  You only have to remember your lines.  And scene.

4-7

Today I was able to attend two Masses at St. Mary’s which was wonderful.  Also, it being Divine Mercy Sunday they had a relic of St. Faustina whom JESUS bestowed this wonderful devotion upon.  I spent the rest of the day mentally getting ready for my bus trip.  I did spend some time reading Greyhound horror stories on the internet.  I was like the athlete who goes through torturous training before their event.  I was toughing up my mind for what laid ahead.  I figured if my trip was just slightly worse than these stories than I came out ahead.

4-8

Arrived back home today.  I must say the trip wasn’t bad at all.  Next lent I will try to find the first bus I got on and ride that around the country for my penance.  The seats were a torture device from the middle ages.  Oh well I survived.  It was wonderful to see my dad at the bus stop.  He drove me home and I pretty much slept most of the day since I traveled all through the night.

4-9

Met with Fr. Ben today which was so wonderful.  I really needed to get put back in line.  I cannot begin to describe the need of a spiritual director.  Was not St. Paul, chosen by JESUS CHRIST Himself to proclaim His word, led by Him to Ananias to learn the Christian way of life?  This is taken from the book “Guidance to Heaven.”

You are not ashamed to expose the sores of the most delicate parts of your body in order to be cured; whereas , you studiously conceal the deadly cancers of your soul- as if to hide them were the same thing as to heal them-although it may be almost impossible but that they will reveal themselves even against your will.  But he who conceals his wounds shall never obtain a cure.

Can your physician do you any harm when he makes your hidden maladies known to you and says:  “You are in danger….You are ill….You have a fever.  Today you must abstain from food and drink nothing but water.”  On the contrary, you praise him and return him thanks for a kindness received.  But if anyone should say:  “Your passions are like the raging sea…  Your ideas are vain….Your affections are irregular,” then presently you exclaim:  “Oh what a heinous crime!”….What harm can the adviser, anxious for your salvation, do you?  It is true that the mirror which he holds up before you exhibits your deformity-that it declares your real state.

These words I copied down for me, for often I believe I’m skipping along the road of salvation.  Self-love makes me very blind to our own self-inflicted wounds.  So I am so very blessed to have Fr. Ben in my life, he truly is a living saint to have to deal with me.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3).

4-3

So I got a late start today as I packed up my cart and did a last load of laundry before I took off on the road.  Ed took me to lunch and told me Kara his granddaughter was upset she wouldn't see me again so he was going to take her to meet me on the trail.  So getting back to the rectory we found a vehicle access to the trail about a mile before the campsite I was planning on spending the night.  She is such a sweetheart and gave me a beautiful card as well.  So thank you Ed and Kara for giving me a much needed break in pushing my cart.  Kara became the first person to literally push my cart on my pilgrimage, way to go kiddo.

 After parting ways I ran into a hiker named Scott and we covered the last mile together to the campsite.  Upon reaching the site there was a boy-scout troop from Virginia already there.  They were biking the whole canal which is big venture.  A lot of people do it in segments.  Being a cold night I gave the boyscout salute (unfortuantely it's been a long time since I was in the scouts I used only one finger instead of 3, and it was the middle, so after diffusing the situation and apologizing I slipped into the fire ring for a little warmth.

4-4

Well I'm sorry to say but today I got some news and have to return home for a few days.  It's not bad or anything and the trip is not over.  I just have to go home and take care of some personal business.  It's also good I'm going home because today I got runners knee (well at least that's what I think.  I self-diagnosed myself off Google.  Remember what Abraham Lincoln said, "Everything on the internet is true."), I literally limped into the campsite tonight.  When I go home I can go to the Dr. since I have many more miles to go.

4-5

Ed picked me up this morning and drove me back to Brunswick.  The prodigal son returns.  I knew I wanted to come back to this wonderful place but I thought it would be longer than 2 days.  I was able to get a bus ticket for Sunday night and Deacon Tex is letting me store my gear in the garage.  Now, I don't know if you've ever ridden the bus before but I will say its......um......interesting.  I took it once before when I was younger and swore never to do it again.  But I'm breaking my promise, wouldn't be the first time.  I swore off popsicles once, but come on that's impossible.  It shouldn't be too bad since I leave at 8:30 P.M. and can sleep through the night and wake up in Detroit monday morning.  I hope those of you reading my blog don't give up on me.  The pilgrimage has only started.  I'm still in my first state, I have a long way to go.

First of many rose's left for an unborn child at the Marian statue in the garden at St. Francis in Brunswick.  Pictured with it is the Marian medal commissioned by the Vatican Ed gave me.

The bell tower is St. Peters in Harper's Ferry West Virginia that Ed took me to just before Easter.

A cyclist was setting a world record in his delusional mind and tore the sign down so he wouldn't have to slow down. I'm telling you there bad news. (it could of been the wind, and I know not to be judgmental.  but I've decided to be judgmental towards my arch-nemesis the cyclists.)

A memorial for the 15th Regiment Mass. Volunteers at the Antietam National Battlefield 

4-3

4-3

So today I leave the little town of Brunswick and on to my next adventure.  I have to sleep outside like some kind of animal.  

"In order to be perfect, we must not only obey and honor our superiors; we must honor our equals and inferiors also." - St. Philip Neri

The community of St. Francis/St. Mary’s showed me the meaning of these words.  I walked into the town of Brunswick a true inferior, a lowly pilgrim.  But they saw a member of Christ’s mystical body.  And looking at me with the eyes of faith, and the heart of charity, they raised me up to their equal, and yes at times, even treated me as superior to themselves.  Humbling themselves to accommodate me in every possible way.  I really don’t know what to say in gratitude to this wonderful community.  Yes there is Deacon Tex and Ed who did so much for me.  But they were not the only ones.  No, it was a whole parish who gave, and gave, and gave.  I could go on and on of all the wonderful gifts of charity that were bestowed on me, but I hope they know I shall treasure all their spiritual roses in my heart.  A heart that they helped kindle with the divine love of our Lord.  Love is a fire which cannot be hid, sooner or later it must burst forth.   The moments of charity they bestowed upon me were kindling to this divine fire, small burnt offerings of sacrifice to Our Lord,  and woe to me if I do not spread the sweet fragrance to those I meet along the road.

They have made me proud to be a Roman Catholic Christian.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, at times my faith can be weak.  At times I get pulled into the hustle and bustle of the world.  At times I fantasize about the Shim wedding.  At times I forget to be a Christian.  At times I forget my Lord.  At times I deny Him.  There have been many instances where I have made the sign of the cross before a meal in a hurry in the hopes that no one will see me.  And there are worse examples I could give that I am to ashamed to admit.  Yes the cock has crowed many more than 2 times in my life.  The least I can do is chase him away.  And it is by the example of others that I am able to do this.  And this is what means so much too me.  It isn't the gift received, it is the lesson they give me.  It is the mirror that I see my own true reflection, I see what I'm supposed to be.

And it is no small part to Deacon Tex.  The Church can mystically be seen as a hierarchy of a military.  For we are in a spiritual warfare.  We have our Pope, the Bishops, and down in the trenches are the Priests and Deacons.  Many parishes flounder because of bad leadership.  (And remember priests are sinners chosen from among sinners to assist sinners.  They are human and struggle the same as you and me.  So please don’t gossip about them if they fall.  And please don’t put them on pedestals like we do with our celebrities.  They would much rather you put them in your prayers.  They need them so much.  They cannot save one soul without your help.  Their ministry is your ministry.)  Of course holy souls can be found anywhere, but a good example is very much needed.  Look at the example of the Cure de Ars; he is the saint of priests, so you can only imagine how holy he was, and he raised a church community from the ashes by his good example.  And the parishioners here have their own wonderful example to follow.  It is not by accident that this whole entire community is so giving.  They have a wonderful leader, Deacon Tex, who gave his life to serving others.  This is taken from the book “As It Was In the Beginning, Is Now, and Can Be.”  (The story of St. Francis/St. Mary)

“A policeman for Howard County from 1972-2002, he spent 10 years as a detective in the Child Abuse Unit, 8 years in Special Operations, K-9 Unit, 3 years as a police instructor…..2 years in the Youth Section and 7 years as a patrol officer.

Deacon Tex was the first police officer in Howard County to win the Medal of Honor in 1982 for saving many lives during a fire in a high-rise.”

You hear on all of those TV shows police officers referring to themselves as one of the good guys.  They do perform a thankless job, and I don’t know to many police officers.  But I can attest Deacon Tex is one of these good guys.

I had to help him with his computer one day and I told him he reminded me of one of those cops on TV who won’t conform to the new trends.  The one who refuses a computer for his trusty typewriter missing the “e” and “t” key.  And no one can read his police reports, but he won’t get rid of trusty “Betsy.”    The one who always goes by his gut, after he has his donut of course.  (is that why cops eat donuts?  Without your donuts your gut feeling could just be hunger?  I think I’m onto something.)  (And is that why the Pillsbury dough-boy is on all their wanted lists?)  He said He was that police officer.  When they went to the new batons that whipped out, he refused to let go of his bulky old one.  (and he had to admit once he got the new one he liked it).  And when they converted to newer guns, he said he was part of 6 fellow officers that fought tooth and nail to keep their trusty revolvers. 

And Ed, what can I say about Ed?  He was so charitable to me.  And we had so many wonderful talks.  Many of them were on a personal level, so I will not share them.  But know this Ed, I will treasure them all in my heart.  Ed has a very strong devotion to Mary, and it is because of this that he was able to bring me to her shrine, to make me one of her knights.  I can honestly say I don't think I've met a more charitable man in my life.  Ed is a ex state state deputy for the Knights, which translates to he was the head of all the councils of Knights of Colombus in the state of Maryland.   And if Deacon Tex is one of the good guys, Ed is one of the good knights.  I attended my first meeting of KofC and have to run (or rather walk, I'm done running), so I won't be able to attend many meetings on the road.  But I could not have asked for a better instructor into the way of the Knights.   The battle worn knights of old could be seen from a distance   Their status and dignity pushed those around them into inferiors, their presence demanded respect.  But Ed showed me the Knights of Colombus don't oppress, but raise up those who are oppressed.  They give up their mounts to those in need, and get on the ground to walk in the blood stained steps of CHRIST.  Their dignity is not found in their armor, or a Sir before their name , it is found in their humility.  And they are not just knights in title.  They wear their armor to battle each and every day.  The cross is their shield, the rosary their sword, Calvary is their mount, JESUS their King, and Mary their Queen.  There presence as individuals is rarely felt, those reading this may have many knights in your life and may not even know it, but as a group their presence is found in all the faces of the poor, it rings justice in the cowardly face of tyranny.  This is a lesson I learned from Ed and will never forget.

One last thing I have to say.  I can say it now that I’m leaving.  I was held prisoner in that house of St. Mary’s.  Deacon Tex was an ex-officer and Ed was an ex-correctional officer.  They wanted to go back to the “glory days”,  I made everything up.  They let me get 1 hour a day of “recreation time”, which was actually cleaning the grounds.  I was locked up in the attic like Rapunzel.  Only problem was I have no hair.  So I thought I would start growing my hair out for my escape, except I'm balding so that plan went out the window I was supposed to climb out of.  (Just kidding love you guys.)

So as I head out I truly hope Our Lord brings me back to this wonderful town.   I guess I have to come back, my home council for the knights is here and I need to attend at least one meeting there.  Plus, I really want to go back to the shrine and spend a whole day there.  So let this not be goodbye, but a see you again soon.  And if Our Lord has other plans for me, well it’s still see you again, but this time we’ll be high-fiving in heaven.  (Just for the record I do not high-five, but if I’m going to high-five, well heaven will be the place I’ll be dishing them out left and right.  So let's make it a high-five you later).

I love all of you.  Thank you.

4/1

So I I have sad news, I gave up my walk today....April fools.  Ed (though I don't have much, my little Mother gave me a means to pay him back for all the wonderful things he has done for me) picked me up and took his granddaughter Kara and me to Frederick for lunch.  We went to Longhorns in Fredrick (which is the nearest big town to Brunswick) since he figured I wouldn't be having much meat on the road, mine as well go to a steakhouse.  It was a wonderful day.  We also picked up some roses and some polyurethane.  The plan is to coat the roses with polyurethane to preserve them and than whenever I visit a council or a Marian grotto I'll leave behind a rose.  Tomorrow I'll try the process, I  hope it works.  We stopped at Lowes and they had the spray can type.  Later Ill try to find the the one's you have to brush on so then I can just dip the rose in and be done.  The plan came from the Knights of Colombus running of the rose, I took this article from their website.

One Life, One Rose

2012 - Our Lady of Guadalupe Silver Rose Run – One Life, One Rose Since April 29, 2012, four Silver Roses have been making their way across North America, from Canada to the United States to Mexico. The Roses began their will conclude their journey on Dec. 12, 2012, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico. It is the 52nd year of the program which began in 1960 as a project of the Columbian Squires of North America to honor the Blessed Virgin under her title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The program has continued since then as a project of Squires Circles, councils and Fourth Degree assemblies in several jurisdictions. In 2001 Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson expanded the program by beginning the “Running of the Rose” from the 119th Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council in Toronto. “The ‘Running of the Rose’ is a perfect program for the Knights of Columbus,” said Supreme Knight Anderson. “Through it we honor not only Our Lady of Guadalupe and express the unity of the Order, but we also reaffirm the Order’s dedication to the sanctity of human life. It is to the Blessed Mother that we turn in prayer as we work to end the Culture of Death that grips our society. As we think in terms of ‘One Life, One Rose,’ it is most appropriate that we turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe who made known her will through Juan Diego and the miracle of the roses.” Today four Silver Roses travel through North America exemplifying Knights of Columbus devotion to Our Lady and commitment to the Culture of Life. One Rose begins its journey in Ontario moving through the central United States. A second Rose starts its route in Manitoba, moving westward to British Columbia and then down the Pacific coast through California before turning eastward to Arizona and New Mexico. The third Rose moves from New York, moving through the eastern United States and the fourth Rose begins in Virginia moving south through Florida and then turning westward along the Gulf Coast. The four Roses meet in Texas and are then taken to Laredo where they are transferred to Mexico on the International Bridge. From there Knights carry them to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico, for the final Silver Rose Prayer Service of the Year on Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If the roses work out this will be my own running of the rose.  Each rose I leave will be an offering, a prayer for an unborn child and his/hers beautiful mother, that she may choose life.  I don't know much about motherhood, but my little Mother does, so I will place it in her hands.  If the roses don't work out, Ed is also giving me a Marian medal from the Knights of Colombus he received.  And I will be able to bring this from council to council, from grotto to grotto, and I will leave behind a spiritual rose (which is a hail Mary).  4-2 So tonight I was accepted into the Knights of Colombus.  I would like to first of all thank Ed for driving me an hour to the Council meeting in Westminister, and also letting me borrow his suit.  And I would like to secondly thank all my fellow brothers for welcoming with open arms.  Upon returning to the house Ed gave me so many wonderful gifts, I will have to write about later since it is late and they deserve the attention due to them, this man is incredible.  Once again it is late and I'm very tired, I wished I could write more about this wonderful night, But it is the nature of wonderful things to be unutterable.