Margaret Henderson, or Mama Mags as she was affectionately called, had been a shining example of feminine genius—faithful, organized, empathetic, and calm—for as far back as Veronica could remember. – “The Glorious Pilgrimage of Margaret Henderson” 

 “The Glorious Pilgrimage of a Margaret Henderson” was inspired by the bravery of my elderly parents after the sudden death of one of my brothers in a car accident. They signed up for a European pilgrimage! My mom had flown to Florida once or twice, and both of my parents had gone to Vegas, but they had never flown across an ocean. To learn that they were going to France, Italy, and Spain was shocking. To think they had saved that much money after beginning their family in the Depression and raising eight children on one income, and not a very high income at that, was unbelievable to twenty-one-year-old me. 

Upon their return, they were on cloud nine, eager to tell of their experiences, especially of being slain in the Spirit while in Lourdes. They invited each of their married adult children to their home to share this, some of whom had fallen away from the faith. It should have held more weight than it probably did, especially because of my convert dad’s profound feeling that only God could do that. I remember being skeptical of it myself, as I had never heard of such a thing happening. Still, the memory stuck, and my parents’ pilgrimage adventure instilled in me the desire to travel to Europe and visit the holy places of all those saints I learned about during my years of Catholic elementary school. 

After my dad’s passing, my mother embarked on another pilgrimage with my godfather’s wife, and two more compatible travel buddies would be hard to find. My godfather’s family has always been considered an extension of our family. So much so that their daughter, Lucy, is the inspiration for the character of David in my anthology story. Anyway, my mom and her dearest friend joined a tour group and headed to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Being half-German, my mother brought back gifts from that country, such as an authentic beer stein, ivory-carved mini-statues of angels singing, and hand-embroidered doilies with crocheted cotton lace. 

Margaret Henderson is only a tiny bit like my mom. The main inspiration for that genteel character is a combination of three graceful women outside of my family, as well as from the faith I witnessed at the more recent passing of my ninety-four-year-old brother-in-law. He seemed ready, as if he had prepared for death all his life. 

Last year, my husband and I were privileged to spend 42 days in Europe in various parts of Ireland, France, and Italy. We ended our time with nine days in Rome. We had no idea we would love the Eternal City so much! A highlight of our European journey was the dozens of Catholic churches we were privileged to walk into. We cherish the time we had to admire, dream, reflect, and pray. The whole adventure turned into our very own pilgrimage, and we give God all the thanks and glory for it! 

The Thayers in Siena (October 2024). St. Catherine of Siena is Mary Jo’s Confirmation saint.

The Thayers inside St. Peter’s Basilica (November 2024) after having attended Sunday Mass celebrated by Pope Francis and then praying the Angelus with him in St. Peter’s Square.

Read “The Glorious Pilgrimage of Margaret Henderson,” and other short stories by the Catholic Writers Guild in Pilgrim Tales: a Catholic Writers Guild Short Story Anthology available now on Amazon in print and e-book.

Feature Photo: Pixabay

© Copyright 2026 by Mary Jo Thayer

Edited by Rietta Parker