A number of us live our entire lives without traveling more than a few hundred miles from our doorsteps, missing the chance to travel and discover people, ideas, spaces, and cultures different from those we’re used to. For Jesuit novice Spencer Liechty, his month-long pilgrimage allows him to do just that while learning an important lesson about kindness and humanity along the way.
Liechty, 26, is a Jesuit seminarian based in St. Paul, Minnesota. During the months of April and May, Liechty is making his way through the Southeast solely by the kindness of strangers and religious organizations with a bed and meals to spare. Before leaving the novitiate, Liechty (like the other novices) was given just $35 and a one-way bus ticket – which led him to his hometown of Indianapolis. From there, he’s traveled to Louisville, Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham before arriving at Resurrection Catholic Missions of the South, Inc. in Montgomery on April 30, 2018.
What many would consider the true challenge? Liechty isn’t allowed to carry a cell phone, computer, or other mobile device to help him plan, fund, or document his journey. However, he can use phones and computers at local libraries and the like along the way.
“The biggest theme is the goodness of people and their willingness to help their fellow person. Every day I’m amazed,” he said.
Part of his journey to priesthood, Liechty says that every first-year novice from his Midwest province is required to participate in a spring pilgrimage following classes in the fall. Novices get to choose and chart their own courses while spending roughly a day to a day and a half in each place – leaving plans “totally up in the air” according to Liechty. The pilgrimage also allows novices to travel “wherever the spirit takes you” across our vast country, he said.
While Liechty chose to navigate parts of the Southeast he’d never visited, a few other novices chose to navigate the Pacific Northwest and California.
The trip may have its share of challenges and uncertainties, but Liechty said that it’s the people he meets and their hospitality that inspires him.
“I’ve just had so much help, and it’s really been an incredible, incredible experience,” he said, smiling. “I think that’s a testament to the goodness of people and of how awesome God is.”
During his time in Montgomery, Liechty had the opportunity to tour Resurrection campus, learn about the Missions’ programs, and share his story with the administrative staff. In addition to spending time on Resurrection campus, Liechty also had the opportunity to visit local landmarks and cultural keystones like EJI’s new Legacy Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Freedom Rides Museum before departing for New Orleans on May 1, 2018.
To successfully complete the pilgrimage portion of his seminary study, Liechty must make it back to the novitiate on May 16, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. Following his return, Liechty will join the other novices for 10 days of processing, sharing, and recovery ahead of a silent retreat and Spanish immersion this summer.
We here at Resurrection thoroughly enjoyed our time with Liechty and hope that he will one day return to Montgomery to share the full story of his successful pilgrimage.