This is an important question to ask yourself now and each day of your pilgrimage. Let's talk about the difference.

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Tourists want everything to go exactly as they have planned and imagined it. They rush around making sure they cram everything in, checking the boxes. They’re more concerned with shopping over anything else. Tourists are easily distracted. Tourists go sightseeing. Tourists count the cost.

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Pilgrims are very different. They look for signs. If a flight gets delayed or cancelled, they ask, “What is God trying to say or teach me?” Pilgrims look for meaning. Pilgrims aren’t concerned with seeing and doing every single thing, just the things they feel called to see and do. They’re not obsessed with shopping. They are aware of others’ needs and lend a helping hand. Pilgrims are intentionally focused. Pilgrims count their blessings. As St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Teach us to give and not count the cost”.

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Think about your “why”. Why are you going on pilgrimage? Very often pilgrims have special intentions in mind. Some ask God for a favor, perhaps to heal a loved one who is sick. Others make a pilgrimage in thanksgiving for a blessing they’ve already received from God. Sometimes, you need a pilgrimage to appreciate life, and all the blessings God has already granted you.

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Our happiness should not depend on situations or circumstances. It’s easy to be happy when everything is going well, but Christian joy allows us to be happy even when things happen. And things will happen. That is life.

The one thing we can control is how we respond and handle different situations. And there is something to be learned if we allow God into those moments.

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Focus on God, who is calling you on pilgrimage, rather than on the negative and the inconvenience which comes with travel and going to foreign lands. We should encourage each other to be a true pilgrim, without complaining if every small or large aspect of the trip is not to our liking. The graces we earn on pilgrimage can easily be lost through grumbling and complaining.

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Let’s pray for the grace to be true pilgrims and not just tourists. Let’s pray for the grace to be the kind of friend who inspires and helps others.

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Let’s pray to God for an open mind and an open heart, for God to transform us and make us saints. Let’s make this pilgrimage the very best for everyone.