To see the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, after travelling to Latin America via transatlantic ship. It was produced miraculously after Mary appeared to a native Mexican, Saint Juan Diego, in the 16th century. Many native Mexicans converted to the Catholic faith in the wake of the apparitions. One of the most beautiful phrases communicated to San Juan Diego by Mary was: “Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not by chance held in my mantle?”
Would you make any special stops?
I would love to see the places associated with St Oscar Romero in El Salvador while I was in Central America. He was the archbishop of the capital city, San Salvador, and was killed during Mass by his own government for resisting their injustices in 1980.
Whom would you take?
My mother, who has a great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and some Mexican priests and religious sisters I know well.
You can transplant your favourite pub, bar or restaurant onto the route. What is it?
There is a small, family-run restaurant in Rome – the owner is Giovanni and his mother, Concetta, does the cooking – maybe I could convince them to set up a kitchen on the transatlantic ship! They make it feel like dining at home and the menu is handwritten with all the classic Roman dishes. Plus, the clientele is mainly made up of locals, which is always a good sign.
Camp under the stars, or find a church hall to sleep in?
Starry skies are beautiful and inspire awe, so I would camp out on deck to enjoy them on the ship’s voyage. A friend of mine is a Jesuit priest who works at the Vatican Observatory, so he could come too to explain the constellations.
Which books would you take with you?
A biography of St Oscar Romero and one of San Juan Diego.
What Bible or religious verse would you ponder as you walked?
“Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). This verse, and pilgrimages in general, help us remember that the road ahead is more important than whatever lies behind us, bad or even good it be.
What’s your go-to prayer?
The Hail Mary and a traditional prayer from the Stations of the Cross: “Oh my Jesus, my love above all things, I repent with my whole heart of having offended you; never permit me to separate myself from you again and do with me as you will.”
What’s the singalong to keep spirits up?
As the ship passes Ireland, a rousing rendition of “Hail, Glorious St Patrick”.
You’re allowed one luxury in your bag. What is it?
A telescope to explore the starry skies on the voyage.
What would you most miss about ordinary life?
The absence of seasickness, and trips to the park and countryside.
Photo: Fr David Howell preaching. (Photo credit: ‘A Day with Mary’.)
Fr David Howell is a priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark, who is also currently studying canon law in Rome.
This article originally appeared in the April 2024 issue of the Catholic Herald. To subscribe to our award-winning, thought-provoking magazine and have independent and high-calibre counter-cultural Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click here.
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