The Pilgrimage: Experiencing God in a Unique Way

At the entrance of the city of Capernaum, the site of much of Jesus’ ministry.

By Michael Antoon

Seeing the world is an activity most people have on their bucket list, but seeing the world through faith is an experience that goes deeper. A pilgrimage is a journey to a variety of places that are each holy in their own way. This voyage is not simply for sightseeing and having a good time, but it is a journey that calls us to deepen our faith.

The word “pilgrim” comes from the Latin word “peregrinus,” which implies wandering over a distance. This wandering is not aimless; rather it serves a higher purpose that draws us nearer to the Lord.

As Catholics, there are many holy sites around the world to see and experience. These various sites allow pilgrims to meditate and lift their thoughts. Many of the faithful visit the Vatican or Holy Land, Our Lady of Fatima, or Lourdes. In each of these places, there is something unique that you may not find in the next. Many pilgrims visit ancient churches with centuries of history to unpack, or places of devotion to saints. No matter where you may find yourself, there is a divine call to enter more deeply into your relationship with the Lord.

“Pilgrimages help us detach from our day-to-day lives to deepen our faith through prayer with the history of Jesus, the saints, and the Church. We hold our intentions and offer our pilgrimages as a sacrifice and act of faith,” said Father Pierre Konja.

As of May 2023, St. Thomas Chaldean Church in West Bloomfield offered two different pilgrimages. One, led by Father Pierre Konja, went to the Holy Land, Rome, Assisi, Lourdes, and Barcelona. The other was led by Father Matthew Zetouna to Lourdes and various cities throughout Spain.

Fr. Matthew and his group at Shrine of the Black Madonna, Montserrat

I was blessed to have joined Father Matthew on his pilgrimage through Lourdes and Spain, along with 36 others. There is no doubt that the groups boarding their flights at DTW were all part of a family returning home. It was a beautiful thing to see this group of Chaldean youth come together and look out for one another like family would do.

Brandon Karana, 24, says, “This was my first pilgrimage, and I went into it not really expecting anything. I wanted to walk with God and grow in my own faith. That overall was what I was seeking. I was blessed with meeting so many young people like myself who were looking for the same thing, and we were able to grow together as a family. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences I have had, and I met so many amazing people.”

This is the reality for many pilgrims—becoming part of a family in Christ. For two full weeks, we traveled together, took care of each other, and most importantly, prayed together.

As previously mentioned, a pilgrimage is a journey of faith, not simply sightseeing and vacationing. This is exemplified in how we respond to issues that arise. For our group, many unexpected problems came before us. For starters, our flights got canceled due to protests throughout France. This ended up causing the group to split into different flights traveling to different countries, eventually reuniting in Lourdes.

Father Matthew helped ease everyone’s anxiety about our situation by reminding us that God will throw us some curveballs that we must accept with trust and love, and to pray with them.

Each issue that arose was an invitation to respond through faith and ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”

“A pilgrimage is not planned by man, it is planned by God,” said Patrick Jaboro, 20. The ultimate test came when we heard of the passing of Father Matthew’s father, Masoud Zetouna.

Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

We responded immediately in prayer, for Father Matthew, our shepherd, and for his late father’s soul. After Father Matthew left our group, some felt anxious without him. He left us with a reminder that we are the “resurrection people.” Through hardship, we remain standing and keep our trust in the Lord.

Father Matthew left us in good hands with our guide and continued to look after us and our travels from home. He exemplifies what it means to be a man who builds his house on solid rock (Matthew 7:24).

Without Father Matthew there to celebrate Mass for us, we found ourselves at Masses with priests who didn’t speak much English. Initially, this turned many away, thinking they would be bored or get lost listening to a Spanish Mass. But this experience called us to see something greater; the mystery before us is not something for us to understand, rather it is spiritual food for us to partake in.

Many pilgrims shared that they paid more attention to the spirituality of the Mass since they couldn’t understand the words. Faith Toma, 21, said, “Throughout the trip, the tour guide kept saying how love is the first language. I didn’t really understand it until we went to Mass at St. Peter’s Chapel in Toledo. The priest did the Mass in Spanish, and I had no idea what he was saying, but as he was saying his homily, I just felt God’s love pouring out from it.”

Many leave for pilgrimages with various intentions and heavy hearts, knowing the power in these holy places. For our group, Lourdes seemed to be the unanimous favorite. To be in a city full of Catholics from all over the world, together honoring the Blessed Mother, is life changing. Being able to leave our intentions, and those of loved ones, at the grotto gave us hope and consolation. In the midst of our hardships, Our Lady of Lourdes invites us to bring her our problems and lay them at this grotto and to be renewed by the life of God that flows in the spring of water.

Each holy place is an invitation from God to draw nearer to His heart and experience Him more profoundly. Pilgrimages are a unique opportunity to escape from the world and appreciate the Lord through His creation and the splendor of His church throughout the world.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences once again to the Zetouna family, especially Father Matthew, for the loss of the beloved Masoud Zetouna. Uncle Masoud was the Sacristan of St. Thomas Church, and it was an honor and a privilege to know him and serve alongside him.

May God rest his soul and let his place be among the angels and saints.