Surprise, yesterday I got wind(by my neighbor) that a cleric had walked into my small off the beaten path town of 40 thousand in california that hosts one of the Missions, and that he was seeking charity for the night to rest and replenish before continuing on to the next mission by foot.  I had heard that he was turned away from both of the novus ordo parishes in town, but was going to stay with the local deacon and his family for the night.  I was glad to hear that, because I was not glad to hear that he had been turned away by both NO parishes(one of the pastors was out of town, and the other hides behind his office assistant and is not so accessible).  Because, both NO parishes are not that bad.  So, I drive my car up to where I heard he was, because I wanted to meet him.  And, it turns out that rumors were not entirely accurate, and that the retired irish monsignor at one of the parishes had decided to host him for the night and prepare him dinner and necessities.  

The monsignor told me that when I went to the parish, but none the less I got to meet the cleric who was getting ready to walk to local mission.  So, I decided to accompany him.  His name is Friar Anthony Servius Mariam, and he is a current/former(I don't know specifics) franciscan friar of the immaculate(the light blue habit friars).  I think he left the FFI after francis tried to destroy them a couple years ago.  He has been staying with a traditionalist ecclesia dei all latin mass group in kentucky.  And, he is in california now walking from san diego northwards visiting all of the missions relying completely on his two working legs for movement, charity without a dollar in his pocket, or any technological devices like a cell phone.  He was on day 20 when I had met him, and probably 300 miles in on his pilgrimage.  

And, to sum it up, the man was amazing!  We walked and talked for about 2-3 hours visiting the local mission, and he was just amazing.  He was very sound theologically and spiritually.  He is planning on writing a book about this mission walk of his, and was doing it in devotion to Fr. Junipero Serra, who he admired.  He was still wearing his light blue FFI habit with sandals, miraculous medal, and rosary at the hip.  He was in part acting as a trial for NO catholics at the missions, by learning/seeing who would show him charity and who would not on the spur of the moment.  And, he had this to say.  "The divine mercy people didnt show me charity".  "The eucharistic adoration people didn't show me charity".  But, other catholics have.  And, he has not at all been in need once in these 20 days.  People stop while he is walking to give him hydration and food and shelter and what not(catholic or not).  He was not too pleased with the franciscans he met along the way.  He said the franciscans were very worldy(california franciscans are known to be pretty bad).  In sum this friar was very traditionally sound, out there evangelizing in this such way he could.  And, for me, it was a very inspirational amazing experience.  I live in a small town where things like this just don't seem to happen, so it was very special.  

Apparently like the "apalachian trail" walk, there is a california missions walk that people do, and that was what he was doing.  He was following some pre set route for visiting the mission.  It is cut up into 20 mile segments, and he is doing it all by foot.  And, he is relying solely on the Lord and Charity.  And, the man looked fresh as a daisy on day 20, not fatigued or ragged at all.  I was very pleased to meet him.  And, I am especially glad to hear that the local retired monsignor hosted him.  That I am very glad to hear.  He said that the young lady in the office at the parish he went to was the game changer, because she called parishoners throughout the town to accommodate him when the old monsignor initial declined.  So, God bless her.  He said that this town passed his test, and was happy about that.  Other office ladies however were not as nice as this one he said.

Lastly, but most importantly, if you would, keep him in your prayers that he finish his walk/pilgrimage of all of the missions by foot, I would appreciate it.  

http://vocationblog.com/2012/04/searching-for-someone/  

This is a picture of him.  And, it says that his interests were "wilderness survival and primitive skills".  And, judging by this walk of his, I think that is true.  Pray for a successful completion of his mission walk.  And, if you are in located in california, He will be coming up on San Luis obisbo within the next day or two continuing north.   

They were established centuries ago by Fr. Junipero Serra.  Fr. Serra and his missions are quite famous here.

Fr. Serra

the mission system

I've been to 9 of them over the years but never on foot!

Nadir - The mission in my town is owned by the government, it is the only one. That explains the two parishes + mission for 40 thousand.  

Many of these missions, and ours in particular is like a museum.  There is much livestock at our mission, and there is all of the period correct infrastructure with tools.  The missions in CA are neat places.  

You have to unhook what our modern idea of a "mission" is and realize what "true" missions were. 

I understand. I lived and worked for 2 years on one which was isolated and inaccessible by road. Quite an experience. I left 47 years ago. It was quite different then than it is now.