“Act as if everything  
depended on you;  
trust as if everything  
depended on God.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola

About six months ago, my friend and former colleague, Pierce Murphy, invited me to join him on a long walk in September. Pierce currently lives in West Virginia, so I asked where this walk would take place. He explained his plan in detail. I humbly declined the invitation. I knew it was something I could not do. 

Today, at the age of 72, Pierce begins walking the Ignatian Camino. The journey begins in Loyola, Spain, the birthplace of Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). This adventure, a demanding 400-mile journey of faith, reflection, and perseverance, will take approximately thirty days to complete. 

A product of Jesuit education (Bellarmine College Preparatory, Santa Clara University, Gonzaga University), Pierce has devoted his life to serving others in countless ways. This Ignatian pilgrimage seems a fitting next chapter for Pierce — a physical challenge undertaken with the same spirit of humility, purpose, and service that has guided his entire life. 

While I was not able to join Pierce on the pilgrimage, I will be traveling along with him in spirit. For each day of his journey, I will be reading daily reflections and prayers from the book Walking with St. Ignatius of Loyola. I will pray that each step bring him strength, peace, and a deeper sense of the journey still ahead.

I invite you to keep Pierce in your thoughts and prayers throughout the next thirty days.