Some traditional pilgrimages have preset paths and destinations with considerable challenges that can only be taken on if health, finances, time, and circumstances cooperate.

The traditional pilgrimage to St. James’s tomb, known as the “Camino”? That requires hopping on a plane, flying across the ocean, and trekking across Spain on foot.

How about a pilgrimage to St. Patrick? That’s Madison’s airport to O’Hare to Shannon to a bus to Croagh Patrick, where you’ll need to pick your way up a small mountain of loose rocks — without getting blown off — to a peak tucked away in the clouds.

Want to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe? Or the Holy Land? Or St. Peter?

These trips are without a doubt life-changing, but they all require a sacrificial amount of resources.

Of course, if your circumstances allow, go for it! God will never be outdone in generosity, giving much more back to us than whatever we put into the trip.

But what if it’s simply not the right time for us to go on that trans-Atlantic journey to our heavenly besties?

What do we do when our heart yearns for big-time graces but only has a mite’s worth of resources, be it time, money, or health?

May I propose the DIY (do it yourself) pilgrimage?

It’s going to be a little rough around the edges, a little like my spackle work above the shower, but full of heart.

Like any good DIY project, it’s important to look around to see whatever goods are at our disposal to get the job done.

#1: Scrape together a little time for prayer

Odds are, we have a few spare minutes lying around, no matter what kind of crazy our days serve up.

We should be able to scrape together a couple of minutes each day to prepare for our pilgrimage.

A novena is a great way to get hyped for it. Nine days of short prayers asking for the intercession of a specific saint, Our Lady, or praying for God’s help in a focused way can get us in the right mindset for setting off on our pilgrimage.

And we can get those prayers said in the time that it takes to put on our walking shoes.

#2: Look for a pilgrimage path nearby

The next step in creating a pilgrimage is putting together a pilgrimage path using whatever routes are nearby.

Did you know that there are plenty of local streets with saints’ names in them?

Odds are, with a little research, we can put together a walking path in our own area honoring a favorite saint.

And if walking isn’t possible, driving works, too, or so does making a spiritual pilgrimage.

#3: Choose a local destination

Your appropriately named path most likely isn’t going to lead to anywhere sacred.

So, once your route is finished, you’ll probably need to drive to your final destination.

And what’s the final destination?

It could be a church that’s home to relics of a favorite saint, a parish named after a beloved title of Our Lady, or any of the six diocesan pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year of Hope.

More information on those sites can be found on this page and at madisondiocese.org/jubilee

Not being able to take an international pilgrimage is a simple opportunity to discover the many sacred places we have right here in our diocese.

#4: Celebrate!

I think a good pilgrimage should involve a little fun, too, like a themed dinner and a movie.

Finish a DIY pilgrimage to St. James? Round out the day by whipping up a Spanish omelet and watching Santiago: The Camino Within, narrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.

Taking a moment to celebrate our special day with our saintly friends is a fun way to thank God for providing for us, right where we are.