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Assisi, Italy – A Pilgrimage to the Tomb of Bl. Carlo Acutis

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Come on a journey with Angela Sealana and Jason Nunez as they spiritually travel to the Church of Saint Mary Major Assisi, Italy. Inside one of the oldest churches in Assisi, is the Shrine of the Stripping. This site recalls the incredible act of St. Frances renounced his patrimony, including his clothing, in the bishop’s residence in the presence of his father. This is also the final resting place of Bl. Carlo Acutis. He was only 15 years old when he passed in a hospital in Monza, Italy, in 2006, offering all his sufferings for the Church and for the Pope.

During this program:

  • Learn about the life of Bl. Carlo Acutis and the legacy he has left for the world.
  • Discover the significance behind The Shrine of the Stripping and why Bl. Carlo’s tomb is located there.
  • Take away some lessons of how Bl. Carlo lived his life.
  • Much more!

Images captured from the Official website for the Carlo Acutis Association and the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Click here to view a live stream of the Tomb of Bl Carlo Acutis
*Webcam at the time of our recording appears to be temporarily down.

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Jewel for the Journey:

“All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.” – Pope Francis, quote of Carlo Acutis as highlighted in Christus Vivit

Websites Created by B. Carlo Acutis:

Quotes from Bl. Carlo Acutis:

  • “The Eucharist is the highway to heaven.”
  • “Our soul is like a hot air balloon. If by chance there is a mortal sin, the soul falls to the ground. Confession is like the fire underneath the balloon enabling the soul to rise again. . . It is important to go to confession often.”
  • “Continuously ask your guardian angel for help. Your guardian angel has to become your best friend.”
  • “All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.”
  • “Find God and you will find the meaning of your life”.
  • “Conversion is nothing more than moving your gaze from the bottom up, a simple movement of the eyes is enough”.
  • “Only those who do God’s will be truly free”.
  • “The true disciple of Jesus Christ is he who in everything tries to imitate him and to do God’s will”.
  • “Why do humans care so much about the beauty of their body and then don’t care about the beauty of their soul?”
  • “What will truly make us beautiful in God’s eyes will be only the way we loved him and how we loved our brothers.”
  • “A life is truly beautiful only if we come to love God above all else, our neighbor as ourselves”.

The Tomb of Bl. Carlo Acutis:

Church of Saint Mary Major
Tomb of Bl, Carlo Acutis

Images captured from the official website of the Carlo Acutis Association and the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis

Where is the Church of Saint Mary Major Assisi, Italy?

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A NEW JOURNEY: Monte San Angelo, Italy

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Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they spiritually travel to Monte San Angelo, a city and comune in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. This small city was made famous by an apparition of St. Michael the Archangel. His appearance has made this holy site a place of healing for pilgrims who travel from around the world.

During our journey, our hosts will discuss:

  • Basilica of St. Michael–the only one consecrated by a celestial being, St. Michael.
  • Historical site in many ways –small groups would spend time on retreat here before sailing to the Holy Land during the Crusades.
  • Why the prayer of St. Michael is so powerful.
  • Consecration to St. Michael

Click here (Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel) for the St. Michael Chaplet and other intercessory prayers to St. Michael the Archangel.

For more information on Saint Michael and the Angels (TAN Books), click here.

Featured Image by Mboesch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Protection Prayer to St. Michael:

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel:

Prayer of Consecration Oh, most noble prince of the angelic hierarchies, valorous warrior of Almighty God,
and Zealous lover of His glory, terror of the rebellious angels, and love and delight of all the just ones,
my beloved Archangel, Saint Michael, desiring to be numbered among your devoted servants,
O, today, offer and consecrate myself to you, and place myself, my family, and all I possess under
your most powerful protection. I ask you not to look at how little, I, as your servant, have to offer,
being weak and sinful, but to gaze, rather, with favorable eye at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made,
and remember that if from this day onward I am under your patronage, you must during all my life assist me,
and procure for me the pardon of my offenses and sins, the grace to love with all my heart my God, my dear Savior Jesus,
and my sweet Mother Mary, and obtain for me all the help necessary to arrive at my crown of glory.
Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life. Come then, O glorious prince,
and help me in my last struggle, and with your powerful weapon, cast far from me and into the abyss that proud angel that one day
you defeated in the celestial battle. Saint Michael, defend us in our daily battle so that we may come to glory in the last judgment, Amen

Jewel for the Journey:

“The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of Saint Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is still alive and active in the world.” –  Pope John Paul II

A Closer Look at Monte San Angelo, Italy:

The Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel – Itto Ogami, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Sanctuary of St Michael the Archangel – Interior – Nikater, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Postcard from Monte Sant’Angelo
Gethsemane Chapel-St. Michael Statue & Relic Stones
St Michael the Archangel Protection Prayer

 

Where is the Basilica of St. Michael?

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Italy – Abbey of Montecassino

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Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox as they spiritually travel to Montecassino, Italy, the site of an ancient Benedictine Monastery where the tombs of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica are located.

During our time together, our Hosts discuss the following:

  • A look at the history of the Abbey of Montecassino.
  • Meet Saints Benedict and Scholastica.
  • Learn about the Monastic Rules of Life and the famous St. Benedict Medal.
  • Much more!

For a complimentary St. Benedict medal along with a card explaining its significance, call us at 210-521-3377.

Cover Photo by Abbey of Monte Cassino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Jewel for the Journey:

“The first degree of humility is prompt obedience.” – St. Benedict

A Prayer by Saint Benedict:

Gracious and Holy Father,
give us the wisdom to discover You,
the intelligence to understand You,
the diligence to seek after You,
the patience to wait for You,
eyes to behold You,
a heart to meditate upon You,
and a life to proclaim You,
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord.
Amen

A Closer Look at the Abbey of Montecassino:

Abbey of Montecassino Trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Interior Plaza of Abbey of Montecassino
Statue of St. Scholastica, Abbey of Monte Cassino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Statue of St. Benedict, Abbey of Monte Cassino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The aftermath of the Battle of Monte Cassino

Where is Abbey of Montecassino?

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Lanciano, Italy – Eucharistic Miracle

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Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox as they spiritually travel to Lanciano, Italy. It is a few miles from the Adriatic coast, in the heart of the southeastern corner of the Italian region of Abruzzo. Lanciano is also a pilgrim destination, to see the Eucharistic Miracle that took place in the 8th century in a small church dedicated to St. Francis.

During our time together, our Hosts discuss the following:

  • What is a Eucharistic Miracle?
  • What does the church look like?
  • What if we are struggling to believe in the Real Presence as a Catholic?
  • Much more!

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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.” – Blessed Charles de Foucauld

A Closer Look at the Church of St. Fancis:

Church of St. Farncis
Inside the sanctuary
Eucharistic Miracle
Document confirming validity of the analyzes made by Prof. Odoardo Linoli
Locations of Eucharistic miracles in Italy
Where is the Church of St. Francis?
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Venice – Basilica of St. Mark

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Join Angela Sealana and Debbie Garza – a pilgrimage group leader for Pilgrim Center of Hope – as they spiritually travel Venice, Italy, and the Basilica of St. Mark. The Basilica today is really considered to be a combination of Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian culture. It is built in the shape of a Greek cross. Angela and Debbie also speak about St. Mark the Evangelist whose feast day is April 25th.

During this program:

  • Learn about St. Mark the Evangelist. Who was he?
  • Discover the religious and historical significance of a city like Venice having a Patron Saint, especially in those times.
  • Take a dive into the various elements of the holy site.

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Jewel for the Journey:

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).  

A Closer Look at the Basilica of St. Mark:

Statue of St. Mark as the Winged Lion – Photo Credit: Debbie Garza
Top of Basilica of St. Mark. – Photo Credit: Debbie Garza
Basilica of St. Mark Aerial View
Bronze Horses at the Basilica of St. Mark
Basilica of St. Mark Domes
Basilica of St. Mark

Where is the Basilica of St. Mark?

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Assisi Part III – Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels – NEW DATE

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Thank you for joining us for the conclusion to our 3 part virtual pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox bring us along to the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels. Built over a very small church called the Porziuncola, which translates from Italian, means “little portion.” Listen in as we learn about the rich history of this holy site!

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Jewel For The Journey: 

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today.” – St. Francis of Assisi 

Top of Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels
Porziuncola
Habit of St. Francis

Assisi Part II – St. Clare & San Damiano

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Welcome back for part 2 of a 3 part virtual pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Our Host, Mary Jane Fox introduces us to St. Clare and San Damiano.

  • Did St. Clare come from humble beginnings?
  • Was she friends with St. Francis?
  • What is the significance of the San Damiano crucifix?

We learn about this and much more!

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JEWEL FOR THE JOURNEY

Blessed be you O God for having created me! – St. Clare of Assisi

San Damiano Crucifix
Assisi Village

Assisi Part I – St. Francis & the Basilica of St. Francis

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Join Mary Jane Fox for part 1 of a 3 part virtual pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. You may have heard the name of this town –Assisi –a small town made famous by two people–Francis and Clare who lived there in the 13thcentury. There is so much to learn about Saints Francis and Clare, their town of Assisi, their experiences, and Franciscan spirituality! This is part I of a three-part series on Assisi. We will take a stroll through this ancient town of Assisi and finally visit the Basilica of St. Francis that contains the tomb of Francis and you will be introduced to St. Francis and learn how he encountered Christ.

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Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

Jewel for the Journey

Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – St. Francis of Assisi

Front of Basilica of St. Francis
St. Francis speaking to birds.

Cascia, Italy

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Join Mary Jane Fox for a virtual pilgrimage 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
  • A 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

WHERE to TUNE IN:

Encore – Wed., January 20 @ 8:00 PM

  • Guadalupe Radio Network (South/Central Texas Stations)

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

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

Jewel for the Journey

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

The incorrupt body of St. Rita.

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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