The Heights of Holiness

After ten days of traveling through France, it’s hard to believe that our pilgrimage is coming to an end! We’ve flown nearly four thousand miles across the Atlantic Ocean, driven something like two thousand miles, slept in eight cities, met more than a dozen saints, and made lots of friends.

After departing Lalouvesc, we made the three-hour drive to Annecy. The mountain views in southern and central France were beautiful, but the view of the Alps in eastern France was uniquely stunning. The jagged, towering peaks of the French Alps look altogether different from the mountain ranges of the eastern United States.

When we arrived in the city of Annecy, Didier dropped us off, and we began our walk through the streets to the parish of Notre-Dame de Liesse. Although this parish was not our final destination, they were kind enough to host us for today’s Mass. Fr. Ray was the principal celebrant, and Fr. Swink was the homilist. Fr. Swink recalled the life of St. Francis de Sales, author of Introduction to the Devout Life, who taught that people of all walks of life are called to holiness. In this way, he anticipated the Second Vatican Council, which proclaimed that all Christians are called to the fullness of the Christian life and the perfection of charity. We are all called to be saints!

After Mass, we continued our walk toward the Basilica of St. Francis de Sales. The walk proved long and challenging, with steep hills that tested even the fittest among us. When we reached the mount of the Basilica, it felt like quite an accomplishment!

Venerating the relics of St. Francis de Sales and his companion, St. Jane de Chantal, was a moving experience.

After visiting the Basilica, we made our way down the mountain toward the bus and took the short drive to our hotel. Later that evening, we enjoyed our final dinner together, toasting to our guide Margaret, our driver Didier, and our priests, Fr. Ray and Fr. Swink.

Our last night here is bittersweet. On the one hand, many of us are ready to return home; on the other hand, it’s sad to see this amazing pilgrimage come to an end. Tomorrow we will rise bright and early for our return to Southern Maryland!