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Western Wall and Saints Joachim and Anne

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This week’s spiritual pilgrimage, Angela Sealana, Media Coordinator for Pilgrim Center of Hope, will lead us on a journey to the Western Wall of the original Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

During our spiritual pilgrimage, Angela will discuss:

  • Take you on a guided walk around the Western Wall.
  • We’ll hear about the history of the original Temple, and what it was like during the time of Jesus,
  • And we’ll meet two people known for their association with the Temple, Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

WHERE to TUNE IN:

Live – Wed., July 28 @ 8:00 PM

  • Guadalupe Radio Network (South/Central Texas Stations)

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

Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

Jewel for the Journey:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Where is the Western all?:

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Avila, Spain – The Extraordinary Life of St. Teresa of Avila

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Join Mary Jane Fox as she unpacks the extraordinary life of St. Teresa of Avila, the first woman to be honored as a Doctor of the Church! Her life is one that will undoubtedly leave you amazed and inspired! Did you know the Child Jesus appeared to her in her convent? An angel from Heaven appeared to her and she experienced a miraculous healing?

During this program, Mary Jane will also discuss:

  • A brief history of Avila, Spain.
  • Teresa’s quest to the land of Moors, to become a martyr at the age of 5 years old, along with her brother.
  • Her illness with Malaria.
  • Much more!

Want to take a deeper dive into the medieval city of Avila, Spain? Click here to listen to an archived episode of Journeys of Hope.

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey:

“Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.” – St. Teresa of Avila

Prayer by St. Teresa:

Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans,
and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things,
great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace,
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honor.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me,
in me, and through me. Amen.

A Closer Look at Avila, Spain:

Avila City Wall
Avila City Wall at Night
Statue of St. Teresa of Avila
Avila Cathedral
Convent of St. Teresa

Where is Avila, Spain?

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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

Listen to this program now:

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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Sacred Heart Basilica – Univ. Notre Dame, South Bend, IN

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Come on an audio pilgrimage with Angela Sealana to the stunning Sacred Heart Basilica on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana!

During our time together, we will learn:

  • How was the Catholic faith brought to South Bend?
  • What makes this Basilica unique in the entire world?
  • What relics & sacred treasures are housed in the Basilica?
  • Much more!

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey:

“I invite each one of you to look with confidence to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to repeat often, especially during this month of June: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, transform our hearts and teach us to love God and our neighbor with generosity.” – Pope Francis

Twelve Promises to St. Marguerite Marie Alacoque, for those devoted to the Sacred Heart:

1.  I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their homes.
3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed
and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names
written in My Heart.
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion
on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of
final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without
receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

A Closer Look at Sacred Heart Basilica:

Oct. 15, 2013; Main Quad at dawn (Photo by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
Basilica exterior (Photo courtesy University of Notre Dame)
Feb. 21, 2013; Basilica BellsP (hoto by Matt Cashore/University of Notre Dame)
Basilica nave (Photo courtesy University of Notre Dame)
Basilica ceiling (Photo courtesy University of Notre Dame)
Basilica sanctuary (Photo courtesy University of Notre Dame)
Basilica high altar (Photo courtesy University of Notre Dame)

Images courtesy University of Notre Dame. All rights reserved.

Where is the Basilica of the the Sacred Heart?

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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!

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.” – 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?
Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

 

Meet St. Joseph

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This week’s virtual pilgrimage with Mary Jane Fox takes us to Nazareth in the Holy Land as we “meet” St. Joseph. We will discover who Joseph was and shed light on this man who has been called the Guardian of the Redeemer, the chaste spouse of Mary and Holy Patriarch among many other marvelous titles that point to his role.

During this program, Mary Jane will discuss:

  • Drawing hope and inspiration from St. Joseph.
  • St. Andre Bessette’s lifelong devotion to Saint Joseph.
  • Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter –  Patris Corde (With A Father’s Heart)
  • Much more!

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey:

“About Saint Joseph. One cannot love Jesus and Mary without loving the Holy Patriarch.” – St. Jose Maria Escriva

Prayer at the Conclusion of Patris Corde:

Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.

Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father
and guide us in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage,
and defend us from every evil. Amen.

 

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.

Listen to this program now:

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?

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.
Used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Krakow, Poland – Divine Mercy Sanctuary

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Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox for a virtual pilgrimage to the holy site of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Krakow, Poland. This is the site where our Lord Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina and gave her his message of Divine Mercy to spread throughout the world. This chapel has since witnessed the prayer of the Apostle of The Divine Mercy (St. Faustina) and the extraordinary graces (including the revelations of Jesus and the Blessed Mother) received by her in this place.

During this program you will learn about:

  • St. Faustina Kowalksa’s life.
  • How Jesus appeared to Sister Faustina.
  • Why the Divine Mercy is so important.
  • Much much more!

Divine Mercy Image used with permission of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

Listen to this program now:

Jewel for the Journey:

Those who sincerely say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears. – Saint PopeJohn Paul II

A Closer Look at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary:

The Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy | Jarosław Dubowski / fotopolska.eu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
St. Faustina’s Chapel | Pimke, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Where is the Church of the Divine Mercy Sanctuary?

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St. Patrick’s Purgatory, Ireland

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Take a spiritual journey with Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox to St. Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg, Ireland. Today, it is Europe’s oldest pilgrimage destination offering peace and tranquility. Over the last 1500 years, pilgrims have been coming here from throughout Europe for this extraordinary spiritual experience. Tune in as we learn:

  • What do St. Patrick and purgatory have to do with each other?
  • Who would visit such an Island named Purgatory?
  • What if people I know don’t believe in Purgatory –what do I say?
  • Much, much more

Listen to this program now:

Jewel For The Journey:

By Christ’s Passion, our weakness was cured. By His Resurrection death was conquered. Still, we have to be sorrowful for the world, as well as joyful in the Lord, sorrowful in penance, joyful in gratitude. – St. Ambrose of Milan

The Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great for the Souls in Purgatory:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.

Payer for the Souls in Purgatory:

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, may their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Amen.

Maps were disabled by the visitor on this site. Click to open the map in a new window.

Image Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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!

Listen to this program now:

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