A great priest mentor of mine always encouraged me to remember my firsts. Whether it be my first mass, my first baptism, first funeral, and even first pilgrimage. I am so very excited that this will be my very first pilgrimage not only leading as a priest, but personally that involves international travel. Our visit to Fatima and Santiago de Compostela will be filled with so many opportunities to pray at beautiful and significant sites that also involve visiting countries that tie to our deepest roots in New Mexico. I would like to invite you to a time of prayer, reflection, some fun (but also remembering this is a time of pilgrimage and a holy time), and building relationships with other pilgrims who are looking for time to pray and draw closer to our Blessed Lord and Blessed Mother in some holy sites. These will be blessed times that I pray will impact you so deeply that it brings peace, consolation, and resolve to deepen the relationship with Jesus and with Mary. FR. JACOB ROMERO