Author Archives: sstyves

As I walked to work today, my eyes were still on vacation channel. They sought out beauty, lingering on the colours and smells that stimulated the senses–the fuchsia flowers, the bread from the bakery, a smile on the face of … Continue reading →

You can plan all you want but you cannot ensure control. I awoke at 3:00 am and prepared to return home to Canada. I arrived in plenty of time and had a lovely flight to Zurich. I was looking forward … Continue reading →

In some ways, we are all beggars, relying on the mercy of a bountiful God.  I think the saints such as Francis, Clare and Ignatius knew this. Some people know this well. This woman, bent over, head pressed humbly to … Continue reading →

Rome causes one to be in a state of wonderment at all times. You think it cannot get any better and then you stumble upon a new place of beauty. You stand in the Pantheon and are in awe that … Continue reading →

 I am sitting in my hotel room in Firenze, watching the BBC News, and having had a takeout salad for supper. This whirlwind day has this wanderer weary. I am catching up on news missed and updates on the Ebola … Continue reading →

I am now in Assisi and soon off to see what lessons are here for me. I hope to understand St. Francis and his desire to simplify and be at peace with nature. As I walked around town last night … Continue reading →

I probably need a day off from walking. I have walked constantly since I left Winnipeg. I offer up my weariness some days for those of you who cannot walk or breathe. Maybe Rome gets its name from roam. This … Continue reading →

What do we take with us on our journey through life? I was struck by the image of a sculpture last night in Lyon called the Weight of Oneself. We can drag around heavy burdens or we can release them. … Continue reading →

This trip is a bit of a whirlwind but it is about to slow down for a few days and I will probably be offline for a few days. Today I walked through many parts of Paris. I began with … Continue reading →

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration, one of my favourite feast days. This seems like a fitting day to begin my pilgrimage. I am off to Paris first and then on to other sacred sites, in search of the … Continue reading →