Thus far on our trip, we’ve done an uncharacteristically good job of running a loose schedule. This is partly by design, and partly because the RV allows us to move in a self-contained system. We had one main stop for the day, combined with transiting back across the state to reach Niagara Falls.

Our objective was to have breakfast and get on the road by 8:00am to make the 10:30am Mass at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy. Armed with yesterday’s provisions, from muffins and bagels to new wiper blades, we work up begrudgingly at 6:15am and got moving. With good hustle, we ate breakfast, got dressed for Mass, and rolled out of the KOA 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

It was a quiet drive through central New York, along the banks of the Mohawk River. We passed, from afar, St. Kateri’s village again, and saw The Coliseum and Hill of Torture that we visited yesterday. It’s remarkable, though not surprising, that the life of St. Issac Jogues ended a full ten years before St. Kateri was born, but in the village of his death, St. Kateri first heard the Gospel from her mother. As we drove on the New York Thruway, across the very path his captors dragged his body to throw away into the Mohawk River, I reflected on the unceremonious burial at sea St. Issac received. Despite its cruelty, his martyrdom permitted him to die with the people he loved most.

We arrived in Stockbridge right on schedule, ascending Eden Hill just as I remembered it from our visit last year. The Shrine and its grounds are nestled on a hill in the Berkshire Mountains, and were surrounded by the verdant canopy. It was temperate and dry outside, but a cool breeze kept rolling through, reinforcing the sense of peace.

The building grounds adopted a Bavarian style of architecture, which make the setting even more enjoyable. It is a quaint look that is right at home among the rolling hills and soaring peaks. Walking up the path from the parking lot to the Shrine, the Church and attached house come into view in the most perfect way.

It was the first time the children visited the Shrine, and our time began with Sunday Mass. The Shrine, though small, was mostly full, and the liturgy was excellent. The children had their normal books and, despite their overall tiredness, did at least as well as they do at any other Mass. The Communion rail experience was new for them, but I was right next to Lucy when the Priest asked if she could receive Holy Communion. I happily said yes, a small reminder of how quickly my children are growing. Back in the pew, Lucy looked up at me and said, “Jesus is moving in!”

Mass ended at 11:30am, and the children were famished, so we made our way back to the RV for lunch. Along the way, Veronica found plenty of distractions from food, including a nearby fountain. She showed the statue of Mary the many new brochure acquisitions she made just moments before, including one with a similar Marian statue on the cover. She ran all over the grounds and generally enjoyed herself.

With lunch out of the way, and the energy levels of all restored, we headed inside to the gift shop. By far the most robust of our trip, the children found plenty to look at. They were very well-behaved, and only required minimal negotiation.

Before ending our visit, we hiked back up to the Holy Family Shrine & St. Joseph Plaza. Alison and I did not visit this part of the grounds on our visit last year, but I saw it from the walking path and wanted to check it out.

The building was beautiful. There was a large water feature with two springing jets in the middle, surrounded by bushes and mini roses in white and yellow. The Shine was an open air building, with pergolas on either site. Four total statues were placed around the structure. On one exterior wall was a recreation of the Visitation, with Mary and St. Elizabeth happily greeting each other. On the opposite exterior wing was the Holy Family, with an elderly St. Joseph instructing the child Jesus. At the main entrance overlooking the pond was St. Joseph holding the Christ child, and inside in the main room was the Holy Family. What was best was that these four moments cemented the life and story of the Holy Family, offering moments of pause to reflect on the family.

The girls very much enjoyed their time running around the plaza and playing with the water, and after some restful prayer, we made our way back to the RV, changed, and headed out.

Our transit across New York took us once again through the Mohawk Valley for a final passing of the holy sites in the lives of St. Issac Jogues and St. Kateri. We stopped at the nearby Mohawk Valley welcome center to get an up close view of Lock #13 on the Erie Canal/Mohawk River, and some playtime on the playlet.

As I looked out on the waters, I once again thought about the fact that these were the waters these two saints knew, drank from, and transited on. It’s incredible to have this treasure so close to home.

The rest of our drive was eventful in terms of weather. Storms rolled across the state, and we punched through them all. The windshield wiper blades performed much better than their predecessors, and we pulled into camp near Niagara Falls just after 8:15pm. It’s a much bigger campground than last night, but they make it easy to find your site when you check in late. We’re once again right in the action, but it was time for us to go to bed almost right away after the early wake-up and long day.