Pilgrimage

This morning I left home on a two-week trip. Even though I'll spend the next two weeks traveling for work, it is still a pilgrimage of sorts. But recently Christianity Today posted a list of "modern sites that evoke the sacred." They suggested visiting these places might be a great way to spend time away from home. The ones which appealed to me the most were (in order of priority):

First, the Kilns or L'Abri. Here's what they said: "C.S. Lewis' Oxford home (which now houses the C.S. Lewis Foundation's Scholars in Residence Program) is not quite public; tours are by appointment only. But several local guides will take you along Addison's Walk, to the Inklings' Eagle and Child pub, the church where Lewis delivered The Weight of Glory, and the resting place of Lewis and Joy Davidman. Alternative site: Francis Schaeffer's L'Abri in Huemoz sur Ollon, Switzerland."

Second, Taize. According to Christianity Today, "With 100,000 annual visitors, many of them young, the French community continues the work of Brother Roger, who founded it in 1940 and was murdered in 2005. While the atmosphere evokes a mix of summer camp and monastic cloister, Taize has a surprising passion to connect its visitors back to their local churches." 

Third, Wheaton Illinois. The magazine sells this stop, "Whenever writers in the early church and Middle ages talk about holy sites, they inevitably promoted the home team above all other locales. Wheaton has C.S. Lewis' wardrobe, Tolkien's desk, Billy Graham's traveling pulpit and grade school papers, and a giant mastodon."

A few I would add that I have yet to do: The Holy Land (Israel and Palestine), the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (also known as The Way of St. James) in Spain, and the Catacombs of St. Paul.   

 

 

Comments

[Andrew McIntyre]

Mark....you travel so much, have you thought about getting a nook or a kindle? I have been looking into them recently and I think I may have to break down soon and get one. I love books and would never go 100% over to one of these ereaders....but they are cool and convenient 'specially for those who travel a lot.

The more I research them the more I want one. The Nook seems to be superior.

Stay crazy,

Andy Mac

[Linda Dingeldein]

When I was looking into what to do after High School, I considered L'Abri. I was privleged to at least get to Switzerland, but have never gone to L'Abri.Switzerland was a dream of mine for many, many years. Joel surprised me with an unforgetable trip! I was like a puppy with my face out the window and tongue waggling in the breeze as we drove through the most glorious sites. The only difference was that, I had my head out of the "tiniest" of car windows, clicking non-stop to catch a minute glimpse of the larger span of mountains and scenery as a photo collection of remembrance.This trip and its beauty will forever be etched in my mind..its funny, but I dont even have to look at the photo's to remember it in detail!

Linda

[The Crazies Online]

Nice picture. I would also love to go there. I will definitely go over there ! I love books and would never go 100% over to one of these readers....but they are cool and convenient 'specially for those who travel a lot.