Find Your Way, Embrace a Pilgrimage

By: Daniele Holton Staff Reporter

Posted: 10/20/05

American-Catholic author, Paul Elie spoke about his book, "The Life You Save May Be Your Own: an American Pilgrimage" in the University Commons on October 12.

The book is Elie's first book, but it has received many awards and accomplishments, such as: "Best Book" from the Chicago Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle.

Elie spoke about his book, what it is about and why he chose to write about it.

He explained that his book is a biography of many people. Elie specifically writes about the lives of Catholic writers: Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Walker Percy, and Flannery O'Connor.

Dorothy Day is a writer who is led by what she has read herself. Elie said that she read about "brotherhood" and wanted it, so she devoted her life to working with poverty stricken people, through the Eucharist.

Day established a Catholic publication, the Catholic Worker that is in 150 communities today.

Another subject of Elie's book was Thomas Merton, a monk who wrote, "Seven Story Mountain", about his life and the journey to becoming a monk.

Elie's book also speaks of Walker Percy, a Catholic philosopher, and Flannery O'Connor, a Catholic artist.

Elie spoke about why he wrote about these particular people by saying how he admired "the particular way they approached life by writing and reading."

Elie conveyed the "pilgrimage" part of his book by explaining how each of the Catholic-American writers went on pilgrimages. He then explained how the use of the word in general is renowned.

Elie uses Merton as an example by showing how he saw himself as a pilgrim who had found his way.

Anyone understands what a pilgrimage is.

Elie said, "Tell a person on the side of the road in New Mexico selling crystals that you're going on a pilgrimage and they'll know what you mean. Same as if you tell a scholar you're going on a pilgrimage, they will also have an idea of what you are talking about."

Elie concluded his lecture with an idea he shares with Pope Benedict XVI, "There are many pilgrimages as well as many saints, which means there are that many different ways to God."

Sacred Heart is a religious institution that gives students an opportunity to work towards their own pilgrimage, whether it is finding a job after graduating or going on a religious expedition of your own.

The Life you save may be your own.