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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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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. Not only is this one of the four great ancient basilicas of Rome, but it is the largest and oldest church there dedicated to the 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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Basilica of St. Paul Outside of the Walls – Rome, Italy

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Take a virtual trip to the Eternal City of Rome with Mary Jane Fox & Robert Rodriguez, as they explore the second largest basilica outside of St. Peter’s – the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.  It is one of the five major basilicas in Rome and houses the Tomb of St. Paul!

During this pilgrimage journey, you will discover more about:

  • the Basilica’s architecture & Sacred Art
  • What is to be found at the Tomb of St. Paul
  • The Life of St. Paul, the greatest of the early Christian missionaries
  • The ancient wooden crucifix that spoke to St. Bridget of Sweden
  • The famous “15 Prayers of St. Bridget”

Jewel for the Journey:
You cannot be a conscious Christian without St. Paul. He translated the teachings of Christ into a doctrinal structure that, even with the additions of a vast number of thinkers, theologians and pastors, has resisted and still exists after two thousand years.  – Pope Francis

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Assisi, Italy – Birthplace of St. Francis & St. Clare

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Mary Jane Fox and Robert Rodriguez invite you to travel to Assisi, Italy in the beautiful Umbrian countryside. Visit the site where millions visit today, drawn by extraordinary Franciscan spirituality.

Meet the young Francesco Bernadone, and his friend Chiara Offreduccio, and be transported to their hometown, to the cross where Francis heard Jesus call him to rebuild the Church, the Hermitage of St. Francis, and the resting places of Francis and Clare.

Prayer from Francis’ Canticle of the Sun

Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.

To You, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures,
especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of You, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather,
through which You give Your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You;
through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they will be crowned.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks,
and serve Him with great humility.

Recommended Reading

  • Light in the Dark Ages: The Friendship of Francis and Clare of Assisi by Jon Sweeney
  • St. Francis of Assisi by G.K. Chesterton
  • St. Clare of Assisi by Sister Chiara Augusta Lainati