As a lifelong Catholic, I’ve always had a running list of spiritual experiences and goals I hope to achieve before my time on this earth is through. Call it my “Catholic Bucket List” if you will. These are the dreams and aspirations that stir my heart, drawing me closer to the Lord and His Church.
10 Things On My Catholic Bucket List
1. Visit the Holy Land
At the top of my list is a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus, to kneel at the site of his birth, crucifixion, and resurrection. To pray at the Western Wall, to sail across the Sea of Galilee. This journey would be a profound spiritual experience, grounding my faith in the tangible places where our Lord lived, taught, and suffered. I long to see the land that cradled the beginnings of our faith.
2. Attend Mass for Every Catholic Rite
While the Roman Catholic Church is my familiar home, I’m fascinated by the rich diversity of liturgical traditions within Catholicism. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a Syro-Malabar Rite Mass at the National Eucharistic Congress this past July. To attend the Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, the Ambrosian Rite, and the Maronite Rite, to name a few. Each one is a unique window into the grandeur of our faith. I want to immerse myself in these ancient expressions of worship to gain a deeper appreciation for the universal (catholic) nature of the Church.
3. Have Dinner with Bishop Robert Barron
I consider Bishop Barron one of the most articulate and inspiring voices in the Church today. I’ve often referred to him as “The Fulton Sheen of the 21st century”. His “Word on Fire” ministry has been a constant source of spiritual nourishment for me. To break bread with this learned theologian, pick his brain on modern Catholicism’s challenges. What I wouldn’t give for that opportunity!
4. Attend a Papal Conclave
The election of a new pope is surely one of the most sacred and solemn moments in the life of the Church. To witness that process firsthand, to be present in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel. What a profound experience that would be! To feel the anticipation and wonder, to pray alongside the faithful as a new successor of Peter is revealed to the world.
5. Visit Lourdes, France
The story of St. Bernadette’s visions and the miracles at this hallowed site have always captivated me. Bernadette has been a saint I have long looked to for inspiration (We named our oldest daughter after her). To kneel at the Grotto, to bathe in the healing waters, to witness the faithful from around the world converging on this holy place. I imagine it would be a transformative experience. Perhaps I might even be granted the grace of a miraculous healing or, at the very least, a renewed sense of faith and hope.
6. Read the Summa Theologiae in its Entirety
As an avid reader, delving into St. Thomas Aquinas’ magnum opus, great work, is a personal goal that has long eluded me. To wrestle with the Angelic Doctor’s profound insights into the nature of God, the human person, and the order of the universe. What a spiritual and intellectual challenge that would be. I suspect I would emerge from that journey with a deepened understanding of our Catholic faith and a renewed commitment to theological study.
7. Learn a New Marian Devotion Each Year
Mary, our Blessed Mother, has over 2,000 titles! Each one offers a unique perspective on her role in our faith and intercession in our lives. I’ve set a goal to learn and practice a new Marian devotion each year.
Recently, I’ve been drawn to the devotion of Mary, Undoer of Knots. This relatively new devotion, a favorite of Pope Francis, speaks to the tangibly messy reality of our lives. The prayer associated with the devotion is raw and honest:
“Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love… cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exists in my life… In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone.”
What a beautiful image of Mary’s motherly care for us! Next on my list is to explore the ancient title “Star of the Sea,” which speaks to Mary as our guide through the tumultuous waters of life.
8. Read Saint Teresa of Avila’s “The Way of Perfection”
St. Teresa of Avila‘s writings have long fascinated me, particularly her masterpiece “Interior Castle.” I also want to dive into “The Way of Perfection.” Just as we need to clean our physical homes, our souls also need regular “deep cleaning.” St. Teresa’s wisdom can guide us through this process, helping us to recognize God’s daily graces and clear out the “dustiness” of our souls. Her imagery of the soul as a crystal castle with many rooms is both simple and profound, illustrating the complexity of our human condition. I hope to take time each week to reflect on her words and allow them to guide me in my spiritual journey.
9. Visit the Tombs of Saints Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and Catherine of Siena
Speaking of St. Teresa, another dream of mine is to embark on a pilgrimage to visit the tombs of three great Doctors of the Church: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Catherine of Siena. To pray at the resting places of these spiritual giants, to walk where they walked, and to immerse myself in the places that shaped their profound spirituality. What an incredible opportunity for growth and inspiration that would be!
10. Become a Saint
Last but certainly not least, my ultimate goal – as it should be for every Catholic – is to become a saint. This isn’t about achieving fame or recognition but about striving for holiness in our daily lives, about allowing God’s grace to transform us more and more into the image of Christ. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us in paragraph 962:
“We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church; and we believe that in this communion, the merciful love of God and his saints is always [attentive] to our prayers.”
This beautiful truth reminds us that we’re all called to sainthood and that we’re supported in this journey by the prayers of those who have gone before us. It’s a lifelong process, one that requires daily commitment, but it’s the most worthwhile goal we could ever pursue.
As I reflect on this Catholic Bucket List, I’m filled with a sense of wonder at the richness of our faith tradition. From ancient pilgrimages to modern devotions, from intellectual pursuits to deeply personal spiritual practices, our Catholic faith offers endless opportunities for growth and deepening our relationship with God. May we all strive to make the most of these opportunities, always keeping our eyes fixed on our ultimate goal – union with God in the communion of saints.
What’s On Your Catholic Bucket List?
Image: Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash