For Esther Law, her first 19-day pilgrimage across six countries was more than a spiritual journey – it was a quiet transformation of faith, hope, and fellowship that continues to shape her life long after the road ended.
Pilgrimage of faith, fellowship, and hope
THERE are journeys we take to rest and journeys we take to discover. A pilgrimage is one of the oldest kinds of journeys known to humanity – a walk not just through landscapes, but through the soul.
Across cultures and faiths, people have long travelled to sacred places, seeking meaning, healing, or a deeper connection to something greater than themselves.
Esther Law put it this way:
“Many religions have pilgrimages. For Catholics, a pilgrimage is a spiritual journey. It’s not a holiday, but a time to seek a deeper understanding of faith, to connect with God in a more intentional way.
“It helps you renew your relationship with Him through prayer, reflection, and even the challenges you face along the way. And you also build a sense of community with fellow believers; it’s a journey of the soul as much as the body,” she began softly.
This was the heart of her first pilgrimage – 19 days that carried her across six countries, reshaping the way she saw herself, her faith, and the world around her.
“Having embarked on a journey of such magnitude for the very first time, I now realise how truly transformative it has been for me,” she added.
Law was one among 40 pilgrims, companions from Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kuala Lumpur, and even the Philippines.
Guided by their spiritual director, Reverend Father Ramon Borja, they set out to visit places steeped in history, faith, and culture.
But beyond the sites themselves, what they found was a deeper understanding of hope, fellowship, and the quiet presence of the divine.
A journey begins
The pilgrimage opened in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, where Gothic spires seemed to touch the sky.
“Before we even checked into the hotel, we gathered at St Procopius Church for Holy Mass. It felt right to begin with prayer. That moment anchored our spirits, transforming a simple act of worship into a shared commitment to spiritual growth,” Law recalled.
In the silence of the church, the familiar rhythm of Catholic Mass took on a new depth.
“Mass is the heart of our Catholic faith; it is where the soul is nourished. In the Eucharist, we enter into a profound union with Christ, a connection that goes beyond time and place, beyond any geographical boundary,” Law reflected.
She lingered on the memory, her voice softening.
“Celebrating Mass in a foreign land made me truly feel the universality of the Church – that no matter where you are, you belong.
“Father Ramon’s homily that day spoke of hope and resilience, and those words lingered with me, quietly guiding me as we travelled from one country to the next,” she continued.
From Prague, the group journeyed into Poland. Czestochowa was their first stop, where the Black Madonna awaited – an icon of enduring faith.
“Standing before the Black Madonna, I felt the silent prayers of millions who had come before us. It was as though their faith wrapped around us, unspoken but deeply felt,” she said.
And in Krakow, visiting Auschwitz … it was a heavy moment.
“To walk where so many suffered was heartbreaking, yet it was also a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, of the triumph of hope even in darkness,” Law shared.
In Wadowice, the birthplace of St Pope John Paul II, she felt the humble roots of a man whose legacy continues to inspire Catholics around the world.
Each site, she said, carried not just history but a living reminder of faith enduring through generations.
Faith in every step
Hungary came next, with its grand capital, Budapest, where the Danube River gracefully separates the old-world charm of Buda from the lively heart of Pest.
In Esztergom, they stood before a basilica that held centuries of prayer within its towering walls. Then Croatia, with the warmth of Zagreb and the hauntingly beautiful sea organ in Zadar, where music rose and fell with the rhythm of the waves.
Bosnia and Herzegovina followed, where they travelled to Medjugorje, a place known for reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“Medjugorje reminded me of the power of prayer. It unites people across languages, borders, and cultures,” she said.
From there, they continued to Mostar, where the city’s iconic bridge stood as a symbol of reconciliation and hope.
Sarajevo, with its layered history, revealed the resilience of a people who had lived through both conflict and healing.
Finally, Dubrovnik greeted them with the beauty of the Adriatic Sea and its medieval walls – an ending both humbling and uplifting.
Lessons along the way
What made this journey different from any holiday was the quiet transformation it nurtured within.
“Throughout those 19 days, I learnt to embrace stillness amid the movement. I learnt to listen to God’s whisper in the most unexpected places,” Law reflected.
Each Mass they attended was a moment of deep communion. Each scripture passage carried new meaning as they travelled.
She often found herself holding on to Isaiah 58:11: “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”
“That verse became like a thread running through the entire pilgrimage. It reminded me that God was guiding us every step of the way,” Law said.
There was also beauty in the simplest things – the laughter shared over meals, the photographs that captured not just faces but memories, and the quiet fellowship that grew stronger with every city visited.
“It wasn’t just about sacred sites. It was about the people I journeyed with, the friendships forged, and the moments of realisation that grace is present everywhere – even in the small, ordinary moments,” she explained.
More than miles: A pilgrim’s heart
As we spoke, I asked Law what the pilgrimage ultimately meant for her. She smiled with the kind of peace that only comes from having walked through something truly life-changing.
“It wasn’t just a journey across countries. It was a journey within. It was about faith, hope, and love. It deepened my relationship with God and reminded me of the importance of history, community, and humility.
“I returned home not the same person who had left,” she said.
This pilgrimage, she believes, was a gift that arrived at just the right time – a season when she was ready for renewal.
“Hope is like a precious gem. It must be cultivated and cherished. As Catholics prepare for the Jubilee Year 2025, themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, I look back at this journey and see how it reshaped my relationship with God and His people.
“Even as I walked through foreign lands, I felt a deep sense of belonging – as if I was walking in the footsteps of those who, throughout history, sought meaning and light with unwavering hearts,” she reflected.
Indeed, a pilgrimage is never just about the places visited – it is about the quiet transformation that takes root within the soul.
It is about walking unfamiliar roads yet feeling strangely at home, discovering that faith, hope, and love transcend borders.
For Law, this truth became deeply personal. The pilgrimage had become a treasure she now carries in her heart, a journey whose lessons continue to guide her every day.
She looks forward to sharing more detailed accounts of each city she visited, the lessons she learnt, and the moments she cherished in future publications.
