The Family Vacation: Round 1

It’s not much of a secret that vacation means something different for each person. For example, I like to visit places of historic significance that also has ties to my faith, so mixing in some “pilgrimaging” with my vacation is a natural desire.  My 6, 10, and 12 year old kids like things much more simple for their vacation: making s’mores, swimming and searching for a free wifi hotspot. To find something that a family of 5 people (like mine) can enjoy is a tough task for any leader to look for.

Silly Family at Mackinaw Bridge

Fort Michilimackinac

So, this past week I made several attempts to make “vacation” a thing of enjoyment for everyone in my family.  My beautiful wife, Jenn, and I along with our 3 kids trekked further into the north country of magnificent Michigan. Taking our sturdy Ford living room (that is, our conversion van) over the Straits of Mackinaw, my family had a majestic view of two of the largest freshwater bodies in the world. From 200 feet up, in the center of Mackinaw bridge, they saw the tumultuous waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron mixing together. With a total span of nearly 5 miles, experiencing the Mackinaw Bridge and view is really quite awesome. We made sure to get out, splash in the shallow waters, see the reconstructed 18th centuryFrench fort Michilimackinac and even do some geocaching. 

Camp at Muskallonge Lk State Park

After a few more hours of driving through the upper peninsula, we set up camp near the chilly shores of the expansive Lake Superior.  Being unpacked, showered, and making s’mores, seemed to be the ticket for everyone to be happy. 

The next day we set out for the “big-city” of Marquette.  In last week’s post, I mentioned that a goal of mine for this sabbatical is to visit the 7 dioceses/churches in Michigan.  Having previously visited the cathedral in Gaylord, the church of Marquette was next on my list. Now, having kids in the audience for this personal pilgrimage of mine, it is important to find that balance of kid-fun and the tedious exploration that I enjoy.  Thus the need to demonstrate finesse is an understatement. So, we celebrated the conclusion of a long van ride to Marquette by clearing our heads with a relaxed walk, filling our tummies with a really nice lunch and the ever important grapefruit & basil martini’s for the grown ups. 

St Peter's Cathedral

Rear of the Sanctuary

Once refreshed, we took a walk through the 164 year old city and made our way to St. Peter’s Cathedral. Arriving at this magnificent structure, I was greeted by its imposing towers of massive red and brown stone. The size and strength of its appearance has an air of confidence in its foundation; how true of the ancient, and holy church.   Entering this sacred space, I immediately saw how this place of worship never stops worshipping, even when no one is present.  The stained glass windows tell stories of Christ’s life, the altar, tabernacle, and even the floors are adorned with ornate and tangible theology that was gilded by skilled tradespeople. It seemed obvious to me that the sole desire of this craftsmanship was to sincerely praise the Living God.  How beautiful it is that when people aren’t present in this building, the very stones do cry out in worship (Luke 19:40). Thanks be to God!

Front of the Sanctuary

To my surprise, I learned that there was a crypt kept beneath this cathedral.  Of course I had to walk into this room, where it holds the remains of the first Bishop of Marquette (Bishop Barga - 1853) as well as bishops after him. This crypt in the church reminded me of the early cathedrals built by the first Christians about 1,700 years ago.  For the followers of Jesus, the first few hundred years after Christ was oppressive to them.  This new religion of theirs was illegal, and as a result, it had various forms of punishment ranging from fines and imprisonment, to torture and horrific death.  This was because Christianity was viewed as destabilizing to the Roman empire and it contradicts the god-like authority that the Roman emperor thought he had.  

Around 300 AD Christianity was made legal by Constantine, and places of worship started to be constructed.  The earliest of church communities believed the words of Christ (who said that anyone who believes in him, even if he dies, will live - John 11:28), and began to construct their places of worship on top of the remains of Christians who had previously died, but now lives with God. These churches would continue to have community with all the Christian saints, on earth and in heaven.  Today, we can look back and see churches built this way throughout the Holy Land, Europe, and the eastern churches and many other places.  I personally have not seen it here in the United States, so it was quite beautiful to see that this form of early Christian faith practiced, confidently, at St Peter’s Cathedral nearly 1700 years later - in my home state.

This visit to St. Peter’s was such a “human” thing for me.  It emotionally & spiritually encompassed something I really wanted to do, but at the same time I had the interruptions that any father of young kids would have. A striking memory I will carry with me was when I knelt to pray and my kids were tired and fidgety.  I was trying to center myself on this moment, but not having much luck. It was then that I felt a compassionate voice say “go, take your kids, and smile at them”. So I did. And then I wondered how many times God would have looked upon my own fidgety hands when I wasn’t interested in something of importance to Him and in a compassionate way, He lovingly smiled at me anyway. Grace indeed. 

Cross in the Woods, Indian Lake MI

Even though this pilgrimage to St. Peter’s was my own, and there was a contingent of my family more interested in swimming and making s’mores, I’m grateful to have this exact experience.  I’ll do it again some day, but it won’t be this way ever again. I’m also grateful for my beautiful wife who pulled together creative work-arounds that encouraged my desires while practically responding to the needs of our kids.  In fact it was her idea that we make a stop on the way back home to visit the “Cross in the Woods” for our own “family pilgrimage” of sorts.  Here we made our way through the outdoor stations of the cross, and kneeling at the largest crucifix in the world. Beautiful indeed.

The big take away here is to remember that community living (like a family) requires patience. My big agenda of things to do, had to be trimmed......well, hacked....down substantially.  However, I’m glad it was, because the pilgrimage of peace I was trying to find on my vacation, can’t forcefully be won.