The Right Destination

Erika Dix travels to St. Augustine, Florida to visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, and finds restoration along the way.

He restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. (Psalm 23:3)

Here we are, almost at the end of summer, and it is time to reflect on where our travels took us. They could have taken us to new, faraway places, or they could have kept us at home. No matter the destination, hopefully we had a chance to rest, especially in the Lord.   

He Guides Me 

One of our family’s traditions is to make sure we visit a new Catholic church to celebrate Mass each summer. If we are not traveling, then we try to find a new place to go around home. When we are on the road, we look up “destination” churches, usually shrines, so that we can learn new things about our faith as well as find comfort in the universality of the Church.  

This year we went on a road trip to Florida with a stop in St. Augustine, the oldest settlement in the United States. Since it was founded by Spanish Catholics, there is a rich Catholic history there, including the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, founded in 1609. We came to learn that the very first Mass on US soil was celebrated there in 1565, and we were able to stand on the spot they believed it to have taken place.

The shrine was named after a devotion the Spanish brought with them called “Nuestra Señora de La Leche y Buen Parto” (Our Lady of the Milk and Good Delivery). There were many beautiful depictions of the Blessed Mother nursing the Infant Jesus, and it is known that many women who are expecting, nursing, or hoping for babies come to the shrine on a pilgrimage.  

Along Right Paths 

I personally love coming to shrines or places of pilgrimage during our travels. I feel that there is so much peace in these holy places, as though God guided us to this spot to connect to Him more closely. Psalm 23 speaks of guiding, and I chose verse three since by itself, it speaks to the feeling of travel. And traveling could be that tropical location surrounded by palm trees, or it could be going inward in prayer in a quiet place at home. Either way, God is traveling with us.  

My Soul Is Restored 

God wants us on a journey, especially if the destination is toward Him. Whether we go on a road trip to a distant church or shrine, or just visit our local Adoration chapel, God is guiding us. He wants us on the right path, His path, so that we can then proclaim His glorious name. We will know we are on the right path, if at the end our soul is restored. You know how it feels when you are on a really good trip and you finally get a chance to rest? That is where God guides us every time we come to Him. In prayer, at church, and even at famous, historical shrines. Of course, it is easier if there are also palm trees. 

Prayer:

Lord, please continue to guide me on Your right path, at home and on the road. My soul is restored in You.  

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Copyright 2025 Erika Dix
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