Judean Desert & Journey thru Lent

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With Ash Wednesday, we begin the Lenten season. Come along with Mary Jane Fox through the Judean Desert, and learn about what it’s actually like to walk in the same place where Jesus experienced his temptation.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Why did Jesus go to the desert? How far would he have had to walk to get to there? How far was it to the nearest town?
  • What might have Jesus experienced during his time in the Judean Desert? (Climate, storms, isolation, hunger, etc.)
  • How we apply what we’ve learned on this audio pilgrimage to enter into a desert experience during this Season of Lent?

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross. – St. Anthony of the Desert

A Closer Look at St. Peter’s Basilica:

Bedoiun Tent
Desert Road with Camels
Judean Desert
Judean Desert

 

Where is the Judean Desert Located?

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Journey to St. Peter’s Basilica – An Introduction

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It’s time to add another stamp to your spiritual passport! Come along with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, Ester Scoditti (licensed professional guide in Rome) to St. Peter’s Basilica! This holy site is the most iconic landmark for pilgrims visiting Rome.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Why is it called “St. Peter’s”?
  • St. Peter’s Tomb Chapel, Pieta, John Paul II’s tomb, Main Altar Area.
  • What can pilgrims experience here?
  • 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of hope.”
  • Much More!

Click here for Vatican News about Jubilee Year 2025.

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

Hope to the end! (1 Peter 1:13)

Guest Information

Ester Scoditti

Ester is an archaeologist who has worked on projects in Italy, France and England. She graduated in Classics and Archaeology at Rome’s Sapienza’s University, where she continued in post graduate studies in medieval archaeology. With academic publications in Italy, Britain and the U.S.A., she has taught for John Cabot and Torvergata Universities in Rome. Ester Scoditti has been a tour guide there since appointed to the task by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome in 1979, and she has written well known guidebooks on the Roman Forum, St Peter’s and the Vatican’s Extraordinary Jubilee. Ester is beloved by her colleagues for her unfailing kindness and her extraordinary generosity in sharing her otherworldly knowledge of the ins and outs of the Byzantine tour regulations in Rome!

Click here to visit Masters’ Gallery Rome. Learn about Roman Masterpieces from the Masters in the Field.

Bio courtesy of Masters’ Gallery Rome

A Closer Look at St. Peter’s Basilica:

St. Peter’s Basilica
St Peter’s Basilica – Interior
Pieta
Tomb of St. Pope John Paul II

 

Where is St. Peter’s Basilica Located?

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Journey to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy

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Come on a journey with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, Debbie Garza, Ministry of Pilgrimage Group Leader for Pilgrim Center of Hope to the Basilica of Santa Croce (or Basilica of the Holy Cross) in Florence, Italy! This pilgrim destination has many connections to a multitude of famous artists, is the largest Franciscan church in the world, and is the final resting place of Michelangelo.

During our journey, you will discover:

  • The church that is called the Temple of Italian Glories, its history and some of its many famous works of art.
  • What was the faith of the Renaissance artists like?
  • How can sacred art greatly impact our daily spiritual journey?
  • Visio Divina – a brief guide in contemplating art and more!

Featured Image: “Firenze – Basilica di Santa Croce” by Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

Painters, sculptors, and musicians, … photographers and poets, artists of every discipline, are called to shine beauty, especially where darkness or gray dominates everyday life. They are the custodians of beauty, heralds, and witnesses of hope for humanity. – Pope Francis

A Closer Look at the Our Mother of Africa Chapel:

Basilica of Santa Croce
Altar at Santa Croce
Michelangelo’s Tomb
Courtesy of BecheriniPietro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where is the Basilica of Santa Croce Located?

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Our Mother of Africa Chapel – Washington, D.C.

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Join Angela Sealana as she embarks on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage, to the beautiful & highly symbolic Our Mother of Africa Chapel, which is located in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Along our journey, meet an African-born saint, St. Josephine Bakhita!

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Traditions and cultures of Africa that are part of our faith tradition.
  • Learn how all of us find healing and hope today
  • Reflect on the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a remarkable woman who can teach us lessons for daily life in perseverance, faith, hope, and radical forgiveness.
  • Much more!

Image of Our Mother of African Chapel captured from National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception official website

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

The whole of my life has been God’s gift. – St. Josephine Bakhita

A Closer Look at the Our Mother of Africa Chapel:

Click here to take a Virtual Tour of the Our Mother of Africa Chapel, courtesy of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception official website.

Where is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception?

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Journey to the Sea of Galilee

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This week’s spiritual pilgrimage takes us to the Sea of Galilee! Come along with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, licensed guide Samir Smier, as they dive into the richness of this sacred pilgrim destination.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Why is it called the Sea when it looks like a large lake?
  • What can pilgrims experience here?
  • Why was Galilee so important to Jesus?
  • Much More!

We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Kathleen O’Shea, who made this podcast episode possible.

Pilgrim Center of Hope offers authentic pilgrimages under its nonprofit work to bring people into a personal encounter with Christ. All are welcome! Hear what pilgrims and Samir, a licensed Catholic guide in the Holy Land have to say about the PCH Pilgrim experience.

Click Here to Watch the Video

If your parish church or group would like us to organize a pilgrimage for you, please contact us at 210-521-3377 or send us an email at ministry@pilgrimcenterofhope.org

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

Wherever the sacred Host is, there is the living God. There is your Savior as truly as when he lived and spoke in Judea, and Galilee, and as truly as he is now in paradise. – St. Charles DeFoucauld

A Closer Look at the Sea of Galilee:

Boat on the Sea of Galilee
Couple Sitting Overlooking the Sea of Galilee
Pilgrim on Rocky Shore
Samir the Guide
Samir and Msgr Pat Ragsdale

Where is the Sea of Galilee?

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With St. John Bosco to Our Lady, Help of Christians – Turin, Italy

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We will dive into the life & spirituality of perhaps one of the most influential saints in modern times, as we take an audio pilgrimage with St. John Bosco to the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians in Turin, Italy. Come along with host Angela Sealana as we hear stories about Don Bosco, patron saint of magicians & youth, from guest Salesian Sister Guadalupe Medina, FMA.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • St. John Bosco, patron saint of magicians, students & laborers 
  • The Basilica he built in Turin, Italy
  • Why the Virgin Mary is called “Help of Christians”
  • How Don Bosco can give us hope & courage in daily life

Photo of Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians courtesy of Franco56, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven. – St. John Bosco

A Closer Look at Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians:

Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians in Turin, Italy
St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, the Italian founder of the Salesian Sisters. Her body, in the Saint Maria Domenica chapel, inside the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin.
Painting of Mary Help of Christians. Located in the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin, Italy.

Where is the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians?

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Journey to Health and Wellness, Wherever You Are

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Take the next step toward a healthier, happier life. During this special Journeys of Hope episode, your guides are Mary Jane Fox & health coach Patricia Brown, MBA, BSN, RN.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Discovering your Pillars of Wellness with GOD (Spiritual) as center
  • Physical wellness: Movement, Nutrition, Sleep
  • Social wellness: Interaction, Play, Stress management
  • Much More!

Listen to this program now:

Guest Information

Patricia Brown, M.S.*
Certified Health Coach
315-221-1579
fitbrown@hotmail.com

Patricia holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science from Texas State University. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a Kinesiology minor from Angelo State University where she was a collegiate volleyball player. She is a Certified Health Coach by the American Council on Exercise. Holds a lifetime Teaching certificate for the state of Texas.

Over the last 30 years Patricia has worn many hats in the fitness industry, first as an elementary PE Teacher, promoted to college instructor in kinesiology at Palo Alto College, aerobics teacher, boot camp instructor, volleyball coach, Personal Trainer and Corporate Wellness specialist.

*Previous abbreviations listed were incorrect. We apologize for the error.

A Journey to the River Jordan – With Jesus and John the Baptist

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Come on a journey with Mary Jane Fox to the sacred site of the Baptism of Jesus, the River Jordan! Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, Co-Founder & Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries joins Mary Jane Fox on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage. Listen in, as they discuss the area marked at the River Jordan where John the Baptist was baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist
  • What is the connection between John the Baptist & Jesus?
  • Why is Baptism so important?
  • Much More!

We are so grateful to this month’s sponsors, Francisco & Sherry Beatty, who made this podcast episode possible.

For more information about Fr. Alex Kratz, Terra Sancta Ministry and Shrine, click here.

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey

“Every baptized person should consider that it is in the womb of the Church where he is transformed from a child of Adam to a child of God.” – St. Vincent Ferrer

A Closer Look at the Jordan River:

Where is the Jordan River?

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A Journey with a Holy Land Architect: Antonio Barluzzi

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Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox, as they guide us through a pilgrimage to the Holy Land! This will be a different kind of journey compared to our past visits. We will be placing a particular focus on a man who with his extraordinary gifts and talent made a difference in the Holy Land, Antonio Barluzzi! An architect consecrated to God and committed his life in the mission of building several Churches at holy sites related to the life of Jesus Christ.

During our journey, you will:

  • Learn about the life of Antonio Barluzzi.
  • Be introduced to 2 churches Antonio Barluzzi built.
  • Hear excerpts from his diary.
  • Much more!

The face of Antonio Barluzzi on the featured image appears courtesy of User:Bonio derivative work: Victuallers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Listen to this program now:

Guideline of Discerning God’s Will

Click Here

Jewel for the Journey

“All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece.” – St. John Paul II. Taken from his Letter to Artist

A Closer Look at the work of Antonio Barluzzi:

Basilica of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani
Ceiling at The Basilica of the Agony and Garden of Gethsemani
Plaque at Basilica of the Agony and Garden of Gethsemani
The Church of the Transfiguration
Mosaic of the Transfiguration
Plaque The Church of the Transfiguration

Where is the Basilica of Agony and the Garden of Gethsemani?

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Where is The Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor?

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A Journey to the Milk Grotto

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Looking for information about our Radio Encore Broadcast of A Journey to the Milk Grotto?

Click here - Radio Broadcast Details

Podcast Episode

Come along with Mary Jane Fox on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage to Milk Grotto, not far from the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem! According to Tradition, the Holy Family took refuge in this grotto on their way to Egypt as they were fleeing the Slaughter of the Innocents. Listen in, as Mary Jane shares why the Milk Grotto is a pilgrim destination, especially for new mothers and women who are trying to conceive.

During our journey, you will hear about:

  • Why is this place called the Milk Grotto?
  • What is it like inside?
  • Learn the prayer shared by the Franciscan Friars, to all who visit the Milk Grotto to pray for Mary’s help.
  • Much more!

Listen to this program on our podcast feeds starting Thursday, Dec. 30, on any of the following podcast services:

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify  Listen on Google Podcasts Listen on Breaker Subscribe via RSS Feed

Jewel for the Journey

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

A Closer Look at the Milk Grotto

Chapel of the Milk Grotto
Inside the Milk Grotto
Our Lady of the Milk

Where is the Chapel of the Milk Grotto?

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