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Mary’s House – Ephesus, Turkey

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Travel with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox to the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Ephesus, Turkey. Find out how the remains of the house were discovered towards the end of the 19th century and why over 1 million people visit every year. It is believed that St. John the Disciple brought Mary here after leaving Jerusalem to avoid persecution.

Learn from St. John the Evangelist, Blessed Catherine Anne Emmerich, and the last several popes about the importance of spending more time with Mary.

Jewel for the Journey:
Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence. – St. Francis de Sales

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Mary’s House in Ephesus

Statue of Mary by her home in Ephesus

Ancient ruins at Ephesus

Main episode image credit: Winstonza / CC BY-SA

Church of St. Peter’s Primacy

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This week on Journeys of Hope, we’re journeying to the Sea of Galilee’s shoreline where Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” and charged him with the care of the early Church. Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox for this special spiritual pilgrimage to a place of mercy and healing.

 During this hour – we will:

  • Describe how this spot looked at the time of Christ and how it is today
  • Look at the scripture story that refers to this site (John 21) about the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus cooking breakfast for the disciples, the meaning of the charcoal fire, and Jesus addressing Peter directly for the first time since his denial.
  • Apply this to our everyday life.

Jewel for the Journey:
There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know him and to speak to others of our friendship with him.         – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

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… Listen to the archived audio recording on our website, ASAP!

St. Helena Chapel – Holy Sepulcher Church

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This week on Journeys of Hope, we’re journeying to Jerusalem where the Cross of Christ was discovered by the mother of Emperor Constantine, St. Helena! Join Angela Sealana & Robert Rodriguez for this timely and meaningful visit to what is the holiest site in all of Christendom.

 During this hour – we will:

  • Learn about Constantine the Great and the story of how his devout mother, Helena, discovered the Cross of Christ in Jerusalem
  • We’ll take you inside the ancient Chapel of St. Helena built on the spot, which is part of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
  • & look at the hope for healing and freedom that this story teaches us for our lives today.

Jewel for the Journey:
May Christ, who has already defeated death and opened for us the way to eternal salvation, dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity and lead us into the light of His glorious day. A day that knows no end.
– Pope Francis, from his Urbi et Orbi Easter 2020 message

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… Listen to the archived audio recording on our website, ASAP!

Via Crucis – Jerusalem

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Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they retrace the Via Crucis – the Way of the Cross – in the Old City of Jerusalem in the Holy Land. For over 1,000 years, the Christian faithful have traced the path that tradition says Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.

During this program we will take you to the former Antonia Fortress, commemorate each of the 14 Stations of the Cross which concludes at Calvary in the Church of the Holy Seplchre. Our discussion will also:

  • Draw attention to the suffering & death of Jesus
  • Talk about when the Stations became a familiar feature in every Catholic church
  • Mention how the Via Crucis serves as a substitute pilgrimage
  • How the Way of the Cross relates to the life of every person

Jewel for the Journey:
The Way of the Cross alone defeats sin, evil and death, for it leads to the radiant light of Christ’s resurrection and opens the horizons of a new and fuller life. It is the way of hope, the way of the future. Those who take up this way with generosity and faith give hope and a future to humanity.
– Pope Francis

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Mt. Nebo – Jordan

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Journey alongside Angela Sealana & Robert Rodriguez on a virtual pilgrimage to the summit of Mount Nebo, the place described in the Old Testament where God granted Moses a view of the Promised Land. Early Christians from Jerusalem made it a pilgrimage destination. During this program:

  • Learn about this area of the Holy Land, its role in religious history, and all that can be seen from this vantage point
  • Reflect on the trust of the Israelites and how God is faithful to His promises, plus other lessons for your everyday life

Jewel for the Journey:
Like Moses, we too have been called by name, invited to undertake a daily exodus from sin and slavery towards life and freedom, and given an unshakeable promise to guide our journey. In the waters of Baptism, we have passed from the slavery of sin to new life and hope.  — Pope Benedict XVI

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Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

Basilica of St. John Lateran – Rome

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Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they journey to the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. Find out why this basilica is known as the seat of the bishop of Rome – the Pope. Learn about the magnificent sacred art and relics contained within this holy place. And discover several ways to be like the apostles and the saints in your everyday lives.

Jewel for the Journey:
No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it.  — St. Maximillian Kolbe

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Jericho – West Bank, Palestine

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Join Mary Jane Fox & Robert Rodriguez as they journey to Jericho, the oldest city in the world, located in the Jordan Valley of Palestine. During this program we will talk about:

  • The Christian pilgrimage sites which are located in the area
  • The time Jesus spent here as mentioned in Scripture
  • What we can learn from Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who each encountered Jesus in Jericho

Jewel for the Journey:
When darkness surrounds us and our soul is blind and restless, we have to go to the Light, like Bartimaeus. Repeat, shout, cry out ever more strongly, Domine, ut videam! – Lord, that I may see… And daylight will dawn upon you, and you will be able to enjoy the brightness He grants you. (Furrow #862)
— St. Josemaria Escriva

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Image credit (CC-BY-SA 3.0) Dmitrij Rodionov, DR

 

Assumption Chapel at St. Mary’s University – San Antonio, TX

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Join Angela Sealana and Robert Rodriguez for a local pilgrim journey to Assumption Chapel, an integral part of the history of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Aside from learning about the architecture and sacred art within this sacred space, you will also learn about:

  • The Marianist presence in the Archdiocese of San Antonio
  • Marianist founder Blessed William Joseph Chaminade
  • The practical lessons to be gleaned from their spirituality

Jewel for the Journey:
Do not neglect prayer, however busy you may be.  — Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

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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:
By contemplating Mary in heavenly glory, we understand that the earth is not the definitive homeland for us either, and that if we live with our gaze fixed on eternal good we will one day share in this same glory and the earth will become more beautiful.  — Pope Benedict XVI

 

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Milk Grotto – Bethlehem

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This week Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox will take a virtual pilgrimage to Milk Grotto, not far from the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem. Officially called Magharet Sitti Mariam or the Grotto of the Lady Mary, tradition holds that the Holy Family took refuge in this grotto (hollowed out of limestone) on their way to Egypt as they were fleeing the Slaughter of the Innocents.

It is believed that while nursing the infant Jesus a few drops of Mary’s milk fell upon the yellowish-brown stone and turned it to white. During this program you will learn more about this sacred destination and why it is frequented by new mothers and women who are trying to conceive.

Jewel for the Journey:
Christmas isn’t just a temporal celebration or the memory of a beautiful event; Christmas is more…Christmas is an encounter!  — Pope Francis

Link to Guardian of the Redeemer – St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation on St. Joseph:
http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_15081989_redemptoris-custos.html

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Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.