Virtual Pilgrims

When I was planning to walk the Via Francigena to Rome, a dear, elderly woman said to me:
"I would love to go to Rome, but I know that I never will. I would pray in Rome for my children and grandchildren who have moved away from the church and no longer take part in the scaraments."
She proudly showed me a photograph of her children and grandchildren - 14 in all.
I asked her to make a copy for me that I could carry with me on our journey. Wherever I had my 'pilgrim passport' stamped, I got a stamp for Shirley as well. When we returned home I sent it to her. She was absolutely delighted - especially with the Vatican stamp.
(I don't know if it has made any difference to her children's church attendance!)
Wouldn't it be nice if we could 'carry' other pilgrim friends with us on our caminos? I recently sent a small photo of myself (hugging the saint in Santiago) to a complete stranger who is amember of this Forum. She has agreed to carry me with her to Santiago.
I can't wait to start my virtual pilgrimage!

Virtual Pilgrim

Last year, a fellow I barely knew who lives in my hometown of Durban in South Africa, walked the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan.
I have been collecting info on the 88 temple pilgrimage for years and when I offered to share what I had with him, he offered to take my photo with him.
When he returned, he had a get-together for 12 'virtual' pilgrims who had journeyed with him. He told us that each evening he would lay our photos out at the temple shrine and remember us in his chanting.
Isn't that wonderful! I will probably never get to walk the 88 temple pilgrimage (even though it is in my wish-list box) but I almost felt as though I had travelled with Bob to Japan and on the Shikoku pilgrim trail.
If it gave me a lift, surely we can give others a lift by offering to 'carry' them with us on our pilgrimages?