Introduction
Pilgrimage is not just about traveling; it is also about seeking. The true pilgrim is actually trying to find a way home. Pilgrimage is associated with religion because ultimately our home is with God, our Creator. Pilgrimage expresses the call we experience within, a call which could be put into one word, expressed as an invitation:
“Come!”
What we might call the pilgrimage of life itself has many turnings: right and wrong; cross-roads; winding, dangerous roads; broad, apparently easy roads; cul-de-sacs with warnings, and blind alleys. Within this greater pilgrimage there are smaller ones: journeys to biblical countries and holy places; shrines, famous monasteries, etc. All of these travels are undertaken to keep us mindful of that deeper call which is not just about life after death, but the here and now.
We are almost like characters in a fairy tale; seekers after the legendary Kingdom, searching for the wisest and noblest of Kings, for the place of ultimate peace and joy where we have the most sublime sense of well-being. Yes, we know we seek Heaven, but the Kingdom is being opened to us in our daily lives with all its drudgery and challenges by the King Himself Who comes from His heavenly Throne to seek a humbler one; the human heart.
The Pilgrimage that produces fruit is the one that we travel in humility and love. Frustrations, delays, excess heat, chilly evenings, insects, thirst, and hunger are just as necessary as good company, laughter, wholesome food and prayer. A pilgrimage is not a holiday, as many a priest is forced to explain to his parishioners, even if it is billed as “pilgrimage/holiday.” A holiday is meant to be a time of rest; on the other hand, a pilgrimage is meant to reflect the journey of life itself and so involves struggle, hard work, and determination. Aspects of self-discipline, such as being on time, become more than bothersome. They are like little lights illuminating aspects of human weakness. In the context of a pilgrimage human weaknesses show up in selfishness, laziness, rebelliousness and carelessness. At the same time, some people shine. Such are the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).
These, and so many other things, become aspects of the Kingdom, which in this life is like a vast field consisting of both wheat and its counterfeit tares, or darnel. We hope that one of the graces of pilgrimage is the wisdom to know the difference both in ourselves and in the world around us. This means that one of the most important invitations within a genuine pilgrimage is the call to repentance.
Lebanon
Lebanon is a uniquely beautiful country and the city of Beirut is a revelation. The architectural reconstruction is a great success and there is a wonderful atmosphere amongst the restaurants, which spills out into the streets.
Many of the pilgrims will remember the inauguration of the Beth Myriam on Wednesday with the heat, the crowd and the tasty cakes! I wonder what the neighbors thought!
 |
On Thursday morning we went to meet His Beatitude, Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and the Whole East. Some people never have the chance to have tea with their local bishop, but those who travel with Vassula and with Jesus, of course, find themselves in extraordinary places, meeting extraordinary people!
 |
In his welcome address the Cardinal spoke of the importance of the ecumenical movement and reminded us that the Catholic Church has a special commission, headed by a Cardinal, studying and promoting ecumenism and working towards Christian unity. The Cardinal is a Maronite, who spoke clearly about the importance of the Maronite identity, telling us that there are Maronites in many different countries. In this way, the Cardinal reminded us of the fact that the Roman Catholic Church includes different Rites and spiritual traditions. He recognised the importance of True Life in God in these words:
“We know that Mrs. Vassula had come before to Lebanon and she is seeking that path to unity. We know that Vassula has presented her doctrine and thoughts to the Apostolic Chair (Holy See: Vatican) and they have published writings concerning this subject. I hope and pray that we will be one in the faith of Jesus Christ who is our Redeemer and Saviour.”
The Cardinal spoke about the divisions between Christians, saying, “I ask God to forgive us all our offenses and to bring us back to unity. We urgently need Christian unity.” He reminded us that Lebanon has a special significance in the work for unity.
Continuing, the Cardinal said, “In our country, as you know, we have eighteen denominations with six different groups of Catholics (different Rites), five Orthodox groups, and the rest Muslims. These are divided into Sunni and Shiite and Druze and so forth, and that is why Lebanon is considered the melting pot for all peoples.”
Our first TLIG Liturgy took place in the majestic Basilica of Harissa, dedicated to the Immaculate Mother of God. Some newcomers to TLIG pilgrimages were impressed with the sense of unity, which was already present. At the end of a sweeping nave, carrying us upwards as if to Heaven, the Sanctuary contained bishops and priests of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Syriac, Melkite, Maronite and Anglican communities. We were aided by a wonderful choir and encouraged by the presence of some local people who joined in our Mass. What a great beginning to an eventful pilgrimage!
Later, some of the pilgrims went with Vassula to the Armenian Orthodox Palace where a meeting had been planned with His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia, the Armenian Orthodox Patriarch who is also a moderator in the World Council of Churches in Geneva. In fact, he was abroad, so they were invited to meet His Excellency Bishop Kegham Khacherian, Primate of the Orthodox Armenians in Lebanon.
This was followed by an audience with the President of Lebanon, Mr. Emile Lahoud. In one day, some of us met a Cardinal and a President. Back home we may not even get to meet the Mayor, but Jesus takes us through many doors, into many palaces and places of worship, only to remind us later that we are all God’s children and that all those who seek God must also visit the poor. In the end we simply ask where Jesus wants to take us next, and we understand that, because of Him, the whole world is a palace, and everyone is extraordinary.
President Lahoud recognised the importance of True Life in God worldwide and said that our presence in Lebanon shows that this country is special because of how all denominations live together in the spirit of solidarity, forgiveness and cooperation, and so Lebanon is, as the late Pope (John Paul II) said, more than a country; it is a message, and this small country is now and will continue to be a witness to the world. The President thanked Vassula for the work of True Life in God in supporting the poor (a reference to the Beth Myriams). Read more here
 |
In this world of many words, each word is more important than we think. Formal words of welcome, polite, politically correct speeches are often sincerely meant; the host is often concerned to put his/her guests at their ease and the generosity expressed by the words is often real. What we heard in the words of both the Cardinal and the President was the sincere longing for both peace and unity. We also heard other things, perhaps deeper than the words themselves, because, in a special way, Jesus was present, and the Holy Spirit moved amongst us, and there were echoes of the concerns of the Heart of Christ. These meetings were important, perhaps more than we know.
More than once we were told of the number of Christian denominations existing in Lebanon alongside other faiths, especially Islam. We were reminded again at times of the words of Pope John Paul II that “Lebanon is a message,” and with the goodness of the people we sensed a readiness for change and a longing for peace.
Mary’s Pilgrimage
In a special way, this was Mary’s pilgrimage. From the blessing of the Beth Myriam and with the opening Liturgy, we were made aware that we had been joined by another pilgrim! It was as if she had said at Harissa, “Don’t leave me behind!” and we didn’t.
Our pilgrimage took place in May, a month traditionally associated with the Mother of Christ. This is Mary at her most joyful – before Heaven, that is – the Mary of springtime and the resurrection. Of course, after the Ascension, there would have been a great yearning to be with God; to be with her Beloved Son, with the Father and the Holy Spirit in Heaven, but having met the Risen Jesus, having seen the living face of Jesus after the indescribable pain of Calvary, she must have been full of joy. In the West, Christians have traditionally sung, “Regina caeli, laetare! Alleluia!” (O Queen of Heaven, rejoice! Alleluia!)
 |
“Vassula let it be known that I the Lord honour My Mother, let it be known to those who offend Her that She is the Queen of Heaven and that on Her Head I the Lord placed a crown, a crown of twelve stars 
She reigns beloved and this is written in My Word I honour My Mother and as I honour Her you should honour Her ” Oct 8, 1987
The next church we visited was also dedicated to Our Lady; Our Lady of Mantara, at Maghdouché. The main celebrant of the Mass was the Melkite Greek Catholic Bishop, Georges Kahhale. The homily was given by Fr. René Laurentin, who spoke about the Blessed Trinity. We celebrated the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom and once again there was a deep sense of unity as Orthodox and Catholic and Anglican priests stood together around the same altar. The Bishop is Catholic, in union with Rome, but it was the Orthodox who knew the Liturgy whilst the Catholics and Anglicans had to read the French translation.
 |
According to Mark 7:24, Jesus visited the area of Tyre and Sidon, Saïda today, to preach the Gospel and to heal the sick. According to a tradition stretching back many centuries, the Virgin Mary came with her Son, but because at that time Jewish women were forbidden to enter pagan towns, the Mother of Christ waited for Him in the cave at Maghadouché. The Roman road from Jerusalem to the Lebanese coast passed through this village. Here, Our Lady waited, praying and meditating. In this beautiful shrine she has the title: Our Waiting Lady.
Our visit to the shrine was surely one of the most moving experiences of the pilgrimage. Once again Our Lady was reminding us of her presence. It was as though she was saying, “I have been waiting for you because you have come with Jesus, My Son.”
  |
 |
 |
 |
This area is also associated with the prophet Elijah who visited a widow and her son in Zarephtha, or Sarepta, a Sidonian town. Here he spoke words of prophecy which were not only about himself, but about the woman and her son, showing God’s care for each person, and through him the good God multiplied the little flour and oil that the woman had used to feed the prophet. Later when the son became seriously ill, God healed him through the ministry of His prophet: hospitality shown to the prophet of the Lord brings blessings from Heaven (1 Kings 17: 7-16).
Eventually we were all on our coaches heading for the border – ecumenism on wheels. There were fifty clergymen amongst the 281 pilgrims. Ten C