As I sit on the plane reflecting about the trip, I realize that this experience provided far more than I ever anticipated. \u00a0Each day we learned about Father Moreau\u2019s journey and the places that were of great significance. We visited many churches and learned about how each played a role in his life. \u00a0We walked some of the same paths he would\u2019ve walked and saw where he slept when he needed some time of solitude. \u00a0We met so many wonderful French people who welcomed us into their spaces and showed us such wonderful hospitality. \u00a0The places we visited were things I expected. \u00a0I expected to learn more about the life of Moreau and how deeply faithful and committed he was. \u00a0I expected to be moved by the history of our university and seeing where it all began. \u00a0What I didn\u2019t expect is how deeply moved I would be by all of these experiences.<\/p>\n
While I walked through the labyrinth at the cathedral in Chartres, I thought about how that labyrinth is much like our life. \u00a0It twists and turns and you never know where it\u2019s going to lead or who you will come across along the way, but it sets you up with experiences that, for better or worse, shape you. Even when we feel our path is veering away from our goals\/hopes\/dreams, we come to recognize that with faith it will bring us back on the right path. \u00a0This is the moment I realized how beautiful and deeply moving this experience was.<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t believe that I was sitting in places, looking at structures, and following paths of people who had been there over a thousand years before me. \u00a0I also realized that, beyond learning the history, I was developing these deeply meaningful connections with the other pilgrims. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When we began our journey I knew a handful of the group and the others I only met for our three Moreau prep meetings. \u00a0These meetings were filled with so much information I wasn\u2019t able to really connect with everyone. \u00a0On the plane ride to Paris, I was assigned a seat next to two other pilgrims (one of whom I knew and the other I didn\u2019t). \u00a0I sporadically chatted with the girl I knew, Rochelle, before she fell asleep. \u00a0Mamie and I, another pilgrim, didn\u2019t say more than a couple sentences to each other. \u00a0Fast forward to 7 days later and I consider Mamie my friend and am truly excited to reconnect when we get back on campus. \u00a0I found a connection with each person and will return to campus knowing that this time together helped us forge friendships that will last forever. \u00a0I have 18 new friends on campus and several abroad who all shared in this incredible experience. \u00a0I really didn\u2019t count on how much these people would enhance this pilgrimage, but they all provided their own unique ”\u00a0je ne sais quoi” that made this trip so much more positive, moving, and truly more beautiful than I ever thought possible.<\/p>\n
I may be saying \u201cau revoir\u201d to France, but with the memories that were made I know that France and Father Moreau\u2019s story will have forever changed my heart.<\/p>\n
Written by Robyn Centilli<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As I sit on the plane reflecting about the trip, I realize that this experience provided far more than I ever anticipated. \u00a0Each day we learned about Father Moreau\u2019s journey and the places that were of great significance. We visited many churches and learned about how each played a role in his life. \u00a0We walked … <\/p>\n