One of the joys of traveling for me, perhaps the chief joy - is seeing how other people do things:
how they cook and eat meals, who does what in a household, what prayer is like and who leads it, the structure and style of authority, what amount and type of rest and recreation is considered normal, etc. In other words, I love participating in other cultures and learning new customs.
As a religious, I have the doubly interesting experience of a foreign culture (at this moment, French) and a “foreign” religious culture, that of the Community of the Beatitudes, who are hosting us for this stage of our journey and will be leading the pilgrimage throughout.
A few days in, I have been moved by the holiness of life I have witnessed in various community members, both lay and religious, and the essential hospitality of the people here. We distort their songs, butcher their language, put their silverware back in the wrong place, and they still welcome, still invite us to share their lives. I have had poignant conversations over meals and work about the situation of the Church today, how to live in love while still living in truth, and the role of authority in the Church and in communities. This is all very enriching, and I am grateful.
It is quite fun to watch the young people we are with navigate the cultural differences. Several have been appalled by French breakfast (black coffee and bread), protesting, “where’s the protein?!?” But others have been simply awestruck by the loveliness of life here - the charming architecture, beautiful liturgies and music, and the Gospel hospitality of the community here.
I have taken a motto of sorts for myself the past several years which has proven true many times: it’s the same everywhere. The adage is holding truth yet again. Through the differences of culture, age, and experience, people are people and we are all trying to live happy and beautiful lives of love, even in a fallen world.
Please know you remain in our prayers! Today is Saturday, and on Monday we will begin a more itinerant life, going from here to Orleans and then to Paris. St. Joan of Arc and Sr. Denis, pray for us!
PS: Sr. Eliana found a delightful cultural nuance here: plastic garbage bags handily outfitted with a string for closure!
- Sr. Agnes Therese Davis, T.O.R.
