Baltimore was the first stop of a six-month national relic tour sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The heart of the 19th century French saint was borrowed from its home in Ars, France.

You wonder why God would ask that of you at a time when your jar of flour is nearly empty and your jug is nearly dry.

Nineteen people set out Nov. 9 on day one of a three-day trek on foot from Emmitsburg to Baltimore, dubbed “Fifty Miles in Faith: Pilgrimage-Walk for the Priesthood in Penance and Prayer.”

Our older son turns 11 tomorrow. Eleven! It sounds so much older than 10.

We cannot allow the shame of the devastating failings we now confront to cause us to pause or in any way delay the essential work of the church — sharing God’s love, forgiveness and healing as we work also to promote common understanding, acceptance and mutual respect in a troubled world.