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This blog is part of a series written by President & CEO, Dan Murray on his 28 days pilgrimage along the Via Francigena. Along with OIC supporter, Mark Petersen, Dan is using his vacation time to raise $150,000 in support of families around the world working to create lasting pathways out of poverty. Each week, Dan will share reflections from the trail—the people he meets, the lessons he learns, and the moments that remind us why this mission matters.
You can also follow Dan’s journey and donate here: opportunityinternational.ca/danandmarkshike
I set out believing I was walking toward my neighbour. Somewhere along the road, I discovered my neighbour had been walking toward me all along.
Our 2026 Walking People Out of Poverty pilgrimage has come to an end.
On August 1, Mark and I arrived at our final destination, Monte Sant’Angelo, after 28 days and more than 600 kilometres of hiking from Rome.
I remember thinking back to the opening day of the pilgrimage.
We left Rome with fresh legs and the excitement of the adventure ahead. I wrote then that the first few kilometres of a long walk are always deceptive.
How true that turned out to be.
At the end of our very first day, while enjoying a cold drink in the piazza at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV unexpectedly appeared on the balcony of the papal summer residence overlooking the square below. His prayers and blessing transformed what had begun as a hike into something much deeper—a pilgrimage.
I sensed that we were walking toward something.
From the beginning, I found myself reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan and Jesus’ simple but profound question: Who is my neighbour?
For me, our neighbours are certainly the families Opportunity International has the privilege of serving—people trapped in the dehumanizing grip of generational poverty, yet filled with the same hopes and dreams we all have for our children and our future.
They were the neighbours I had in mind when I began this pilgrimage.
But as the kilometres accumulated, so did the wear and tear—gear failure, relentless heat, blisters, water shortages, and even a dog bite.
Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened.
I set out believing I was walking toward my neighbour.
Somewhere along the road, I discovered my neighbour had been walking toward me all along.
We encountered Good Samaritans everywhere.
There was the owner of a small auberge who, seeing our exhaustion after the gruelling climb from Terracina, drove us the final few kilometres into Fondi.
A shopkeeper who sliced up a cold melon and insisted we enjoy it before continuing.
Antonella, who stepped out of her home with cups of ice-cold water that refreshed both our bodies and our spirits.
Patrizia, who found both a doctor and an English-speaking Canadian to help after I was bitten by a dog.
Dr. Luigi, who treated my wounds, wrote a prescription for antibiotics, and, after learning I was hiking to raise funds for Opportunity International, refused any payment. Instead, he simply asked that I pray for him.
Even the countless drivers who slowed, honked, waved, and smiled encouragement as two rather weary pellegrini made their way along busy roads.
They reminded me that kindness rarely arrives in dramatic moments. More often, it comes disguised as ordinary people choosing not to simply pass by.
Yet long before I arrived in Italy, I had already been shaped by people whose names most Canadians will never know.
Jessica, the hairdresser in Honduras.
Christiana, the storekeeper, in Tamale, Ghana.
Elda, the powerhouse entrepreneur in Haiti.
Marie, the Venezuelan refugee starting a new life in Colombia.
And other inspiring clients in Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, and so many other places.
When I first met them, I imagined I had come to encourage them.
Looking back, I realize they have been teaching me all along.
They taught me that poverty does not define a person. Hope is remarkably resilient. Faith often grows strongest in difficult soil. And dignity is something every human being longs for, regardless of where they happen to live.
The last few kilometres can be deceptive too.
You think you’re finally arriving at your destination.
Instead, you discover the journey has been changing you from the very beginning.
I’m sure it will take some time to fully process this pilgrimage.
I’m left with a sense of accomplishment, knowing I walked more than 600 kilometres from Rome to Puglia.
I’m filled with gratitude for the generosity of donors who, through this pilgrimage, have already contributed almost $153,000 to help families build pathways out of poverty through Opportunity International Canada.
And I’m filled with wonder at the beauty of Italy and the extraordinary kindness of the people we met along the way.
Jesus concluded the parable of the Good Samaritan with a simple instruction:
“Go and do likewise.”
Not because guilt demands it.
Because love does.
This pilgrimage was never ultimately about Rome.
It wasn’t even about Monte Sant’Angelo.
And it wasn’t only about fundraising.
It has always been about ordinary people choosing not to pass by.
Choosing instead to walk toward one another.
And discovering that somewhere along the road, we are all changed.
The journey continues out of poverty for the clients we serve. There is still time to donate and join the journey.