Is a paperclip worth a free pilgrimage to Medjugorje?
No, but if you traded it enough times, you might be able to get one.
During the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, John Donahue, the founder of Truth Charting, a Catholic ministry that highlights the exciting and adventurous movements in the Church, did just that.
In a series of six Instagram reels, Donahue documented his trading throughout the National Eucharistic Congress and amassed over 1.6 million views.
Having attempted challenges like praying for the bishops of a state from the highest point of elevation in that state and attempting to break the world record for the greatest number of “daps” (a combination of a high-five and a handshake) in one week while attending FOCUS Catholic’s Seek24 Conference, Donahue has proven not to be shy in attempting internet challenges.
The concept of trading something small like a paperclip until one obtains a much greater item was popularized by a man named Kyle MacDonald who started with a paperclip and ended up with a house.
When attempted at the National Eucharistic Congress, in just five days, a paperclip could become a free pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
But how did Donahue end up with a pilgrimage to Europe that was worth well over $1,500?
On Wednesday, he arrived in Indianapolis with only two rules:
(1) no trading sacramentals
(2) no trading with money
Immediately on day one, while wearing a sign around his neck that read, “Wanna trade? Starting item: a paperclip,” he was stopped by a man who traded his guitar pick. The guitar pick was traded for a paint can opener before the end of the first day.
On day two, the paint can opener was traded for a portable charger. Donahue then made a reluctant trade for a notebook, yet recovered from the decline in value when someone traded the notebook for a Catholic coloring book she had created herself.
The coloring book was traded for a block of cheese, which was traded for a hat. By the end of day two, Donahue accepted an offer to trade the hat for a Bluetooth speaker.
At the beginning of day three, Donahue was doubtful that he would find someone to trade something of equal or greater value with him until the exhibitor Exodus 90 traded an Exodus 90 jersey for the speaker. Bishop Barron then signed the jersey.
On day four, Donahue admitted that he would be reluctant to trade anything for the jersey, yet eventually, he encountered an offer too great to pass up.
This was when he made the trade for a free pilgrimage to Medjugorje.
As Donahue was leaving Indianapolis at the end of the Congress, he was reminded of how God can do great things with whatever we may have.
“When you give God just what you have, he can work with it, and he can multiply it exponentially," Donahue said. "Now with that in mind, imagine what he could do with a stadium of 50,000 people all giving their lives to Him?”
Ultimately, he walked away from the National Eucharistic Congress not only with a free trip to Europe, but also with new inspiration on how God works in our lives.