Group gathers for annual trek in north of archdiocese

By Susan Fox

ST. MARYS DEANERY - They walked in hopes of raising awareness for religious life. About 40 people walked 10 miles through the Ohio countryside in an annual pilgrimage for vocations on a bright, sunny day May 12.

The day began with prayer at St. Augustine Church in Minster. The pilgrims then walked from St. Augustine to St. Joseph Church in Egypt and on to Maria Stein Center. After lunch and Benediction, the group drove to St. Charles Center in Carthagena for Mass.

CT/SUSAN FOX

Participants in the pilgrimage for vocations walk toward Egypt in the St. Marys Deanery.

Beginning at St. Augustine and continuing at each stop, the participants sang, prayed and heard the testimony of people whose vocations ran the gamut of life choices: married, single, consecrated to religious life, or ministry. Each of those vocations might be considered a uniquely focused way of life, but as a vocation, each is a way of bringing one's religious beliefs more deeply into one's daily life.

At St. Augustine Church, Herb and Doris Wilker shared how married life is a true vocation, a life that can be consecrated to purposeful living in imitation of the relationship of God with His bride, the church. Cindy Obringer explained how a single adult can have a vocation dedicated to holiness and service and enjoy fulfilling relationships with family and friends while remaining unmarried.

At St. Joseph Church, Missionary of the Precious Blood Brother Ron Reuter spoke about his call to formal religious life in community. Brother Ron has been in the order for 10 years and is assigned to St. Joseph College in Renssalaer, Ind., as a professor of philosophy. He said he discerned a vocation to religious life at 35, when he realized he wanted to be part of something bigger, something more important than the life he had made for himself. "I had a sense that there was more," he said.

Heather Mikus, who has declared herself as a candidate to consecrated religious life, shared how she discerned her vocation after receiving bachelor's degrees in biology and chemistry from St. Joseph College and then working at the Center of Hope with homeless children in Detroit and living in community with the Capuchin Franciscan Friars.

"I thought I wanted to go to medical school, and maybe I still do at some point, but that remains to be seen," she said. "Right now, I am called to consecrate myself to God and let Him lead me."

Mikus said her parents agreed with her decision because her brother and his wife have announced they are going to be parents.

"My parents really want grandchildren," she said. "It was hard for me to disappoint them in that way, but it is very important to follow where God leads you. He will take care of the details."

After lunch, the pilgrims gathered in the beautiful chapel of the original motherhouse of the Sisters of the Precious Blood for Benediction.

Newly ordained permanent deacon Randy Balster of St. Henry spoke about discovering true peace and happiness by responding to God's call, even if it takes many years to find the courage.

"I own a machine shop," he said, "and I am the last kind of guy you would expect to be in the diaconate, but the decision wasn't exactly mine alone. I have discovered God can be a bit of a nag. He doesn't give up till He gets His way."

Those who joined the pilgrimage found they could discover ways of realigning daily living to the purposeful life that each Catholic is called to.

"Having a vocation is not all about being called to religious life or the priesthood," said Missionary of the Precious Blood Father Ken Schnipke, vocations director for the order. "It can be about that, and a calling to religious life is a great vocation, but so is marriage and single life. It's about being called to holiness."

Father Schnipke said he thought resurgence in spirituality among young people today bodes well for the future of consecrated religious life and the priesthood. "People, especially young people, are really searching for something," he said. "They are feeling the emptiness of living only for the moment. They will find their vocations, and some will find the religious life."

The first pilgrimage in 2004 occurred on a blustery, cold and rainy day, but the weather didn't seriously dampen the enthusiasm of the first pilgrims who set out to walk to the Maria Stein Center in pilgrimage for vocations

"We had cars waiting to carry people, because it was so miserable, and many did ride, but a hardy group walked in the rain the entire way," said Precious Blood Sister Carolyn Hoying, director of vocations for the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton. "Father Louis Schmit, who was pastor of St. Augustine at that time and was there to bless our efforts, said a pilgrimage by definition includes a certain amount of sacrifice, so we were philosophical about it. But a day like today is a great blessing."