I often meet people who have made a pilgrimage to Lourdes, the famous Marian shrine in France. They travel there hoping for a remedy for a serious illness. None of these people received the hoped-for cure, but you would never know it. Because while they were not cured physically, they were healed spiritually. Healing is different from curing. We can be perfectly healthy and still need healing: of emotions, of memories, of relationships, the brokenness inside of us.
Hundreds of people make pilgrimages to Graymoor also. Immigrants from the island of Haiti residing in New York City flock here to celebrate St. Anthony’s feast. The Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center offers retreats and conferences year-round. St. Christopher’s Inn cares for more than 800 men each year, many of them suffering from the disease of drug and/or alcohol addiction. Visitors simply drive in to spend time at St. Francis Chapel or to enjoy the view from the top of the Holy Mountain.
When people leave Graymoor, many tell us how precious their time here was – whether it was a day, a weekend retreat or their stay at St. Christopher’s Inn. Our pilgrims and guests often say that for the first time in years they were able to pray or that the problems which seemed insurmountable fell into perspective. We friars and sisters are not surprised when we hear such testaments because we have experienced the uniqueness of this mountain that people have come to call “holy.”
So, if you are driving along US Route 9 in Putnam County and see a large crucifix and shrine, drive in, stay a while—become a pilgrim. Once you have enjoyed God’s masterpiece in nature that we call the Holy Mountain, I think you will find refreshment for the soul, even healing.
Let us also take a moment to remember and celebrate the Fathers in our lives. Father’s Day is a special time to honor the men who have guided, supported, and loved us. Whether they are with us or have passed on, their influence and love remain a cherished part of our lives. Let us celebrate their legacy and the many ways they have shaped our journeys.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Bob Warren, SA