A Blessed Journey Indeed!

By Carolanne Kilichowski

The time comes in everyone's life where you are forced to face the idea of retiring from your daily job and facing those, more carefree days. Here I am, so close to that fretful age where I found myself with a retired husband who was saying, "I wait all day for you to come home!" Praying over this situation, my heart told me to do the work of God that He has been calling me to since my first trip to Medjugorje in 1990.

The person of "me" that I love the most, the "me" that makes me happiest is doing God's will and leading his flock to His most beloved Heart. As I typed away at my job at work, God was inspiring me to formally make a company called, "Blessed Journeys, Inc." Why not? I thought it was worth a shot! I had been doing it anyway. At least I could take some tax deductions of long distance phone calls and postage. Many trips cost me money to lead. I had not been out to make money. I only want to travel and do what God calls me to do.

I was faced with one distressing thought. How, Lord, will I do this with a husband who has a problem walking? Dan had been in constant back pain for years and it had seemed as though it was making his life impossible to function in a normal way. He had had two back surgeries and now he was left with stenosis and constant pain. It worried me as to how I could do this. Certainly, he wanted to travel with me, but how will he do the walking involved? What about climbing Apparition Hill and Cross Mountain? I prayed and left it in God's hands.

As my first pilgrimage as "Blessed Journeys" approached, my friend who was also going on the trip, called my house. Dan answered the phone, and she asked him, "Hey, are you going with us to Medjugorje?" He said, "Of course, I am going!" Well, now I was sure that Our Lady was calling him. I was sure to keep my mouth shut and just pray and most of all TRUST. After all, we were staying across the street from St. James, so things would be easier at least for going to church. I remembered the days in Disney World just months earlier where he went from the wheelchair to the scooter because he just could not do the walking because of pain. I prayed, "Dear Lord, you are calling him to come and I am trusting you to take care of him." So off we went.

There were days in Medjugorje where he gave up and left us and went to the room. On the last day we went to see Vicka. There was such a mob of people around the house and people were a bit pushy. We decided to go to the back away from the crowd where we could still hear her. As he rested his back against a wall, our guide, Zejlka (Vicka's cousin) was calling me and Dan to come to be prayed over by Vicka. She had told Vicka that we had renewed our wedding vows in Tihaljina and that it would be great if she prayed for us. So we managed to get through the crowd to meet Vicka.

As Vicka prayed over both of us at the same time, I felt a wonderful feeling inside. I felt as though a light went on in my heart. It was overwhelming. I feel this same feeling when I receive Holy Communion now. It was such a holy moment to greet Vicka and hug and kiss her. On our way there, my friend Diana, had reminded me how I had said, "All I want is to give Vicka a big hug and kiss!" Vicka is my favorite as she so radiates the joy and love of God. Vicka did not rush praying with us. It was something I will never forget. You can feel Our Lady's presence as she prays with you.

As we left Vicka I felt so blessed! I was most happy that Dan got the experience on his first trip. As we walked to the house some people in our group mentioned to Dan, "Boy, you seem to be walking better!" He agreed saying, "Well, as a matter of fact, I feel a lot better!" It has been ten months now and he is still back-pain free. We are so very grateful for this most wonderful blessing.

I am sure now that God is really calling me to these pilgrimages and that Dan can actually share the joy of many trips. I decided to have Medjugorje on the agenda each year since I know it so well. Next year we are traveling to Italy to explore Rome and view the Holy Shroud. I thank God that He has given me the health and graces to be able to do this for Him. I am feeling so blessed to be called to enjoy my days walking on holy grounds and praying with God's beautiful children! Please pray for all the pilgrims and for us.

My journeys are often inspired with personal touches that make the trip extra special. I know that God puts these thoughts in my heart as they are not my ideas. I won't tell you what they have been as perhaps I will do them again. You will have to come and experience it for yourself.

"Dear children! Pray with me to the Holy Spirit for Him to lead you in the search of God's will on the way of your holiness. And you, who are far from prayer, convert and, in the silence of your heart, seek salvation for your soul and nurture it with prayer. I bless you all individually with my motherly blessing. Thank you for having responded to my call." (5/25/07)