The Visitation – Ein Karim, Jerusalem

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Come on a journey with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox  to the hill country of Judea, near the ancient city of Jerusalem where the Virgin Mary travelled to visit and care for her cousin Elizabeth. During this program you will also learn about:

  • The Visitation as described in the Gospel of Luke
  • All the details related to Mary’s great act of charity
  • The Basilica of the Visitation, built over this holy site

Jewel for the Journey
Celebrating the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist also reminds us – Christians in our own times – that we cannot give into compromise when it comes to our love for Christ, for his Word, for his Truth. The Truth is the Truth; there is no compromise. The Christian life requires, as it were, the ‘martyrdom’ of daily fidelity to the Gospel; the courage, that is, to allow Christ to increase in us and to direct our thoughts and actions.                   Benedict XVI

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Dormition Abbey – Jerusalem

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Come along with Mary Jane Fox & Robert Rodriguez to one of Jerusalem’s most recognizable holy sites. During this episode of Journeys of Hope we will travel to Dormition Abbey, located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, just outside of the Old City walls.

The Dormition church & monastery occupy the site traditionally believed to be where the Virgin Mary fell into a deep sleep and was assumed into heaven. Aside from describing this shrine to Blessed Mother, which contains a reclining sculpture of Mary and several sacred art mosaics, we will also discuss the Assumption of Our Lady, which is celebrated on August 15.

Jewel for the Journey:
Celebrating the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist also reminds us – Christians in our own times – that we cannot give into compromise when it comes to our love for Christ, for his Word, for his Truth. The Truth is the Truth; there is no compromise. The Christian life requires, as it were, the ‘martyrdom’ of daily fidelity to the Gospel; the courage, that is, to allow Christ to increase in us and to direct our thoughts and actions.                   Benedict XVI 

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Basilica St. Mary Major – Rome, Italy

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Come on a spiritual pilgrimage with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, located in the Eternal City of Rome, the location of the head of the Catholic Church. Not only is this one of the four great ancient basilicas of Rome, but it is the largest and oldest church dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary.

Aside from learning all about the Basilica’s fine artwork and architectural wonders, you will also discover more about Mary, the Mother of God and why she is venerated.

Jewel for the Journey:
Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.
— St. Maximillian Kolbe

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Bethany

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Journey with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox to this small town near Jerusalem where Jesus often stayed. Hear all about the home of Mary, Martha, & Lazarus. Located on the spot of present day Al-Eizariya (Place of Lazarus) in the West Bank, it is just south of the Mount of Olives, the place associated with the Ascension of our Lord.

Jewel for the Journey:
God sends us friends to be our firm support in the whirlpool of struggle.  In the company of friends we will find strength to attain our sublime ideal. 
– St. Maximilian Kolbe

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Magdala – Ancient Palestine

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Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox for a virtual journey to the ancient city of Magdala on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Tradition tells us that Jesus and the Apostles visited this fishing port and that Christ preached at the 1st century synagogue, the ruins of which were discovered in 2009.

Our journey to this crossroads of Jewish & Christian history will include:

  • a visit to the ancient ruins of the synagogue, town market, and Duc in Altum church
  • descriptions of the Sacred Art located in the chapels of the church
  • a reflection on the stone pavement where Jesus walked and encountered the Hemorrhaging Woman
  • a look at St. Mary Magdalene and what we can learn from her example

Jewel for the Journey:
The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.         — St. Gianna Molla

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Shrine Our Lady of Torreciudad – Aragon, Spain

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Travel with Robert Rodriguez and Angela Sealana to a mountain top in the Pyrenees for a visit to the modern-day Shrine of Our Lady of Torreciudad. This expansive Marian Shrine has been described as both a “work of art,” and “heaven on earth.”

Each year, thousands travel to Torreciudad to venerate an 11th century black Madonna icon which was originally enshrined in a nearby hermitage. The newer massive shrine completed in 1975 was the brainchild of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei.

During this program you will:

  • Experience a virtual tour of this spectacular shrine
  • Discover why this place was so important to St. Josemaria
  • Learn how this shrine spotlights the Family and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Gain spiritual insights for your daily life

Jewel for the Journey:
When you have God close to you everything is carried differently.  — St. Josemaria Escriva

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Cascia, Italy

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Join Mary Jane Fox for a spiritual journey to the town of Cascia in the Umbrian region of Italy. Discover why so many of the faithful are drawn here as they make their pilgrimages from Rome to Assisi. During this program you will learn about the:

  • Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia, the minor basilica where the incorrupt body of St. Rita is preserved
  • Eucharistic miracle from Siena that is preserved here
  • Life of St. Rita, a widow who became a nun
  • Lessons to be learned from St. Rita’s difficult life

Jewel for the Journey:

When you wonder about the mystery of yourself, look to Christ who gives you the meaning of life.  — St. Pope John Paul II

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Prayer to St. Rita of Cascia

Dear Rita, model wife and widow, you yourself suffered in a long illness showing patience out of love for God. Teach us to pray as you did. Many invoke you for help, full of confidence in your intercession. Deign to come now to our aid for the relief and cure of (name). To God all things are possible; may this healing give glory to the Lord. Amen. Holy Patroness of those in need, Saint Rita, you were humble, pure and patient. Your pleadings with your divine Spouse are irresistible, so please obtain for me from our risen Jesus the request I make of you: (mention your petition).  Saint Rita, you miraculously participated in the sorrowful passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Obtain for me now the grace to suffer with resignation the troubles of this life, and protect me in all my needs. Amen

Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

Bethlehem – St. Mary of Jesus Crucified

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Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they lead you on a virtual journey to the ancient city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and home to a Carmelite convent where St. Mary of Jesus Crucified once lived.

During this program you will learn more about:

  • The time the Holy Family spent here
  • Why so many holy men and women spent time here in contemplation
  • St. Jerome and the cave where he translated the Bible
  • How the Franciscan order came to be the caretakers of this city and other sites in the Holy Land
  • What all these role models can teach you about your daily life journey

Jewel for the Journey:
Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it. 
— St. John of the Cross

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Church of Pater Noster – Jerusalem

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Come along with Robert Rodriguez & Angela Sealana to a holy site on the Mount of Olives where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. During this program:

  • learn about the significance of the Mount of Olives in the public ministry of Jesus Christ
  • we will look at the Scriptural references to the moment and place our Lord taught the Apostles the Lord’s Prayer
  • you will learn about the history of the exact site, a cave grotto, where Jesus shared the Our Father, praying it in Aramaic
  • We will delve into the meaning of this beautiful prayer and how it relates to our daily lives

Upper Room – Jerusalem

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Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they guide you on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Upper Room, the holy place where early Christians received the Holy Spirit.  This is also the site where the Universal Church was born on Pentecost. During this program you will:

  • virtually travel to this sacred destination in the southwestern area of Jerusalem
  • reflect on the important events that took place here, including Pentecost – the birth of the Universal Church
  • gain a new appreciation for the Holy Eucharist and for the Catholic Church
  • learn about how the events that took place in the Upper Room relate to you today

Jewel for the Journey:
He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength. He gives us light, that we may see; rouses us, that we may will; strengthens us that we may bring about the good which we desire. From His richness our tears spring, through it our minds know compunction, our sins are confessed. As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.— St. Peter Damian

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