Ryan Gibson (outside reading- American Pilgrimage Sacred Journeys and spiritual destinations)

Mark Ogilbee and Jana Riess are authors of the book, American Pilgrimage Sacred Journeys and spiritual destinations, which describes making a pilgrimage and many famous pilgrimage opportunities for its readers. One pilgrimage talked about in this book is The abbey of our lady of Gethsemani. This pilgrimage is located near Bardstown, Kentucky and is the oldest and largest trappist monastery in the United States. The authors describe the relationship between pilgrims and this monastery when stating,“At Gethsemani, for example , the real action happens farther in and further down, past the visitors’ center by the road: It happens in the guest house, where peoples lives are changed by retreating from the world for a time; it happens in the church, where the monks cycle through chanting psalms every two weeks; it happens in the cloister, where the fortress-like walls ironically promise spiritual freedom. Casual tourists glimpse the place but don’t necessarily see it; pilgrims connect with Gethsemani and other sacred sites on a wholly different level”. Instead of a long distance hike like many other pilgrimages this place in particular requires the pilgrim to get to the monastery then spend time on reflection. This pilgrimage focuses primarily on the separation factor of spiritual growth and the idea of self- confrontation.