What started out as a typical retreat for all the Staff at the Spiritual Center, with liturgy, discussion, and reconciliation, ended up being something totally unexpected. Father Rob Jack, Instructor in Systematic Theology for the Athenaeum in Cincinnati, came to the Spiritual Center on Monday, June 14 to begin this 5-day retreat. As staff, we enjoyed being able to celebrate the Eucharist together, and then sharing in the lively discussions of what we termed, “Religion – 101.” But on Wednesday afternoon the Holy Spirit added a completely new dimension to our week-long retreat. We were about to head into chapel for Mass, when two young men came into the lobby area of the Spiritual Center. They stated that they were from the Seminary in Cincinnati and were making a walking pilgrimage. We invited them to attend Liturgy with us, but they declined, stating they had gone to Mass earlier in the day. Being somewhat skeptical, office doors were locked, and we walked to chapel for Mass. Immediately following Liturgy, we asked Father Rob to come to the lobby and verify if indeed these two young men were seminarians on a pilgrimage. The appearance of Father Rob elicited shouts of surprise and amazement as recognition was immediate. Father Rob had no idea these seminarians were on pilgrimage, and they had no idea that Father Rob, one of their professors, was leading a retreat at the Spiritual Center. The office staff breathed a sigh of relief (Oh, us of little faith!). Seminarians and friends, Jim Riehle and Chris Conlon had started their walk on June 4th, after a discussion on Matthew’s Gospel, 10:9. Jim wondered, out loud, how it would be to follow Jesus’ words when you head out to proclaim the good news to other towns…take no money or extra clothing with you for your journey. No sooner had he spoken the words, when Chris Conlon said, “I’ll do it.”

I was fortunate to be able to sit down with Jim and Chris and discuss the details of their pilgrimage thus far. The two of them had determined this was a good way to end up “the year for the priests,” by praying for vocations as they traversed the back roads in the Archdiocese. And so these two friends headed out with no money, no food, and one change of clothes for church, a pup tent and more importantly, their faith. Chris had always wanted to let go of the world, and “get rid of the trappings that get in the way of us and Jesus”, and here was his opportunity. Jim was placed in charge of the map and executing, on paper how far they would travel each day. Along the way, they stayed at Saint Ursula Convent in Brown County, pitched a tent in several locations, and slept on floors from Mt. Orab to Bradford. I asked both of them what they have found most difficult during their pilgrimage? Jim noted, “There was a day when we were so tired and so hungry, we just had no energy to go on. We were walking and hurting with every step.” “But what was amazing, was when we were given some food and an area to sleep, by morning we felt like we could go again.” “We are very mindful of each other and in tune when we need to take breaks. We pray the rosary all the time, and make every step a prayer,” stated Chris. When talking about the people they have met along their way, Jim said, “There was a willingness of people to help us. They were hungry for conversation, and by the time individuals learned our story, they wanted to share something with us.” “I remember when we started out and we prayed… Okay God, we’re in your hands,” stated Chris. “There was this immediate connection with God. At times it was overwhelming, because we knew we were being taken care of,” explained Chris. Even those individuals, who were somewhat ambivalent when they first met us, took care of us.” “Something that is remarkable says Jim, is that we’ve been able to receive the Eucharist every day, and now we come to the Spiritual Center Retreat House and experience the Eucharist as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.” Without hesitation, Jim and Chris said they would make this pilgrimage again. Jim and Chris left the Retreat House on Friday, June 18, after scraping and painting several handrails for us. Then they headed south towards Greenville. Their goal was to make it back to the Seminary by June 25, because they leave for Honduras the following Monday. God speed Jim Riehle and Chris Conlon, you’ve touched the hearts of many. We look forward to your return and hearing the rest of your story!

Charlene Huff