March for Life students learn the true meaning of pilgrimage

Shanley students began attending the March for Life in 2011 under the leadership of Father Charles LaCroix. Outside of pandemic cancelations, we’ve attended ever since. We’ve found it to be one of the more transformative Shanley experiences, many seniors pointing to it as their favorite high school memory. 

There are several reasons why. The March is usually the largest youth movement our students have ever experienced. They witness the sea of youth all celebrating life. They attend a youth rally of thousands, seeing an array of teens praying fervently, waiting in long lines for confession, all joyful in their faith. For most, it’s the first time their faith is seen beyond the confines of their parishes, classrooms, families. With eyes wide, they recognize that the call of the gospel is bigger than their individual teacher or priest calling them to holiness. No, this is something much grander, much broader. They return home different. 

We remind students regularly that it is a pilgrimage, not a trip, and certainly not a vacation. A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, a traveling with God and for God. Since it’s not a vacation, we expect various challenges, sufferings, and inconveniences. Many of them are foreseen: riding 24 hours on a bus, inconsistent or delayed meals, freezing temperatures during the March itself. We prepare the students: be aware of frustrations or irritations that begin to develop. Guard your tongue from sharp criticisms or irritating delays. Rather, prepare to suffer. Expect it. Then suffer well to produce spiritual fruit, in this case, for the flourishing of the culture of life. 

Every so often, there are those unanticipated sufferings. This year was one of those years. At 12:30 a.m., just outside of Chicago, the bus driver recognized radiator problems. We pulled over at a truck stop, anticipating a three-hour delay to replace a hose. That delay was extended. And extended again. And again. They were stuck at a truck stop for 16 hours. We were eventually able to contract with a separate bus company to find a new bus and finish the pilgrimage to Washington. It was a trial. 

But the students were prepared, dare I say, even welcoming of the trial. This was simply part of a pilgrimage. Over the 16 hours, I heard not a single complaint. Rather, there was laughter as students entertained themselves with card games, reading, simple conversation, and even a dance competition! 

An unanticipated ray of light at the truck stop was the manager, Milissa. When she heard of our troubles, she extended herself in hospitality. She provided us with free donuts, coffee, and milk. She reached out to local bus companies to see if they could assist us. She let us use one of the rooms in the facility as a quiet “sleeping room.” We never felt a burden to her, but rather she became the group’s mother. 

It made it feel like an authentic pilgrimage, as locals extend themselves to provide for the needs of the distressed, traveling pilgrims. The mode of transportation for pilgrims may have developed over the centuries, but the underlying pilgrimage experience is much the same. Milissa made what could have been an exceedingly unpleasant experience bearable. 

We don’t necessarily look for suffering, but we welcome it when it comes. When on a pilgrimage, it usually comes. This year, the Shanley pilgrims welcomed it with joy. It is our hope that the Lord received that suffering, and it will bear fruit both in this world and the next.