The New York Times just reported that the Vatican is now offering airline trips for religious pilgrimages. Does anyone else find this too wierd? I don’t know about you, but if I suddenly felt called to visit Lourdes, I think I would grab my St. Christopher medal and book my ticket on the airline with the cheapest flights and best arrival times. I wouldn’t call the Vatican. They may have expertise in lifting up souls, but not in the physics of uplift. This is a bit of stretch don’t you think? Is it the hubris of an ancient faith or will the experience really be more sacred under the guidance of the divine right of the Pope? Does the flight take wing on a prayer? Are priests on board for the more earthly act of confession? I hope so. Airlines usually only offer passengers a religious experience under severe weather conditions or engine malfunctions. Surely, the Holy See can do better than that.
Still, years of kneeling on a pew taught me that miracles do happen. I can’t forsake years of religious training. Maybe, this new expansion effort on the part of the Vatican will result in a boost in service from competing airlines. There is room for improvement and inspiration may need to come from Above and not from Virgin Airlines. As we take to the heavens, we could really use some sacred space. More legroom, anyone?
