Richard McPherson, the headmaster of Brookewood School and the president at Avalon School in Maryland, organizes pilgrimages for students, staff, and parents during summer breaks. As he prepared to lead 150 people on a 218-mile, 14-day trek across the state (from Point Lookout to the Shrine in Emmitsburg) he found healing before he took the first step.
“The pilgrimage, called the Camino of Maryland, was dedicated to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. A month before the trip, I was sidelined by debilitating knee and hip pain, unable to walk. I received cortisone shots and tried other medical treatments, but nothing relieved the pain. I called upon Mother Seton for help. My prayers were answered, and the pain vanished in time for me to make the trip. I said I was going to go and walk the whole way and thank her. And I did. It was such a great experience spiritually and bodily,” Rich said.
“I run two Catholic schools, so I am counting on her to bring people closer to Christ. She was drawn to the Catholic faith through the real presence of the Eucharist. Many of us, including me, tried to imitate her in desiring the Eucharist during the pilgrimage and after. Many of us are teachers and we use her as a model.”