Pilgrimage of the Heart: A Decade of Walking with Faith and Gratitude

A decade ago, my pilgrimages began in the Holy Land during my years of study. This beginning was not part of my plans.

I had envisioned something more academic, perhaps a journey of research and investigation, but, as often happens, God’s plans found me in ways I did not expect.

It was at the very place where Jesus was born—a place of touching simplicity—that I felt the profound call to pilgrimage. Amidst those humble walls, I wept inwardly, as if a part of me was reborn in a sincere surrender to the path He laid before me.

The life of a pilgrim is not easy. It carries with it difficulties, fears, and anxieties, but even so, there has always been a force that has driven me forward. Over the years, my desire has been for each journey to serve as support and aid to those who undertake it, as each walk accompanies our lives, opening our hearts to be closer to God.

I have faced many difficulties, fears, and anxieties, but I have always trusted in the goodness of the Lord, who, with each step, guides and renews my faith.

A particularly significant experience was visiting the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Recently, during a Bible study, I shared with the group a reflection on the silver 14-point star that marks the traditional place where Jesus was born. To reach this sacred space, one must pass through the Door of Humility, a small entrance less than one and a half meters high, obliging us to bow as we enter—a gesture of reverence symbolizing the humility essential to the Christian heart.

Beyond this entrance, a staircase leads down to the Grotto of the Nativity, where the 14-point star on the floor represents the lineage of David and the historical and spiritual connection culminating in the birth of Jesus. The inscription surrounding the star reads, “Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est” (“Here, of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was born”), reminding us of the centrality of this mystery to our faith.

As we approach the Jubilee of 2025, I recall the importance of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Lord. This mystery reveals to us God’s nearness, who became man to be among us and illuminate each pilgrimage, transforming it into a path of encounter and renewal of our faith.

Each visit to the Basilica strengthens my sense of this mystery, leading me toward a more humble heart open to divine love, renewing my desire to move forward, even amid challenges, with the certainty of the Lord’s constant presence.

I am grateful to all who have journeyed with me to many shrines around the world. We are now hundreds of hearts united by faith, each bringing their intentions, hopes, and testimonies. Together, we lift our gaze to the Heights, finding in each journey the profound meaning of walking with God.