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St. Catherine of Siena – Italy

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During today’s pilgrimage, we are going to spiritually travel alongside one of the most influential women in history – a Doctor of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena! We will:

  • Meet St. Catherine, a young & gifted mystic
  • Discover why the Church has upheld her as one of our greatest teachers & role models even today
  • Take a spiritual pilgrimage through the church where she often prayed, and the chapels that are built over the site of her family home

Jewel for the Journey:
Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.  – St. Catherine of Siena

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

Photo by Debra Garza – Statue of St. Catherine mentioned during our program

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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Sacred Art – Inspiration of Daily Pilgrimage

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Join Mary Jane Fox to look at how Sacred Art gives expression to the beauty of the Catholic Church and also inspires us to proclaim the Gospel message.

Travel to Scrovegni Chapel and discover the works of art that proclaim and display the grandeur of God’s creation, the dignity of human beings made in his image and likeness, and the love and mercy poured forth through the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jewel for the Journey:
There is a connection between beauty and the Christian vocation to manifest the presence of the living God in this world which He still loves. To be fully Christian is to be fully human.  — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

MENTIONED

View the Scrovegni Chapel Frescoes.

Symbols found in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Rome, Italy:

 

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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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St. Anthony de Padua – Portugal & Italy

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Join Angela Sealana and Debbie Garza – a pilgrimage group leader for Pilgrim Center of Hope – as they spiritually travel to some of the sites related to St. Anthony de Padua, the patron saint of San Antonio, known for his powerful preaching.

During this program:

  • Learn about the places of St. Anthony’s birth and spiritual formation.
  • Discover how St. Anthony impacted the world through his ministry as a Franciscan.
  • Talk about St. Anthony’s relevance for us today and our everyday spiritual journey.

Jewel for the Journey:
The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who nourish themselves with this honey produce sweet fruit.  – St. Anthony of Padua

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Basilica of the Sacred Heart – Paris

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Journey with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they travel to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, also known as Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Located atop the hill of Montmartre – the Mount of Martyrs, the Basilica is a popular place of pilgrimage. During this episode you will also learn about:

  • All aspects of the Romano-Byzantine-style Basilica
  • The history of the Basilica’s perpetual Adoration of the Holy Eucharist since 1885
  • St. Denis, the first Bishop & Martyr of Paris
  • Why today the Basilica remains a place of continuous spiritual life

Jewel for the Journey
Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy. – St. Teresa of Calcutta

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Visit PilgrimCenterofHope.org for more information.

The Catacombs of St. Callixtus – Rome, Italy

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Take a virtual journey with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox to an underground cemetery with origins that go back to the second century. During this episode of Journeys of Hope, you will discover:

  • the history of these catacombs
  • who is buried here
  • the symbolism of the sacred art on many tombs
  • what does this place mean to our faith today

Jewel for the Journey:
Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don’t look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ Crucified you can do everything.  – St. Catherine of Siena

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St Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica – Rome

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During this program, your spiritual guides Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox will address three key points:

  • Why is St. Peter Basilica considered one of the most important churches in Roman Catholicism? (chair of St. Peter)
  • Does this Basilica have the Chair of St. Peter?
  • What is its significance for me today?  (Chair of the Pope – authority of the Church, which comes from Christ)

Jewel for the Journey:
And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is…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. – Benedict XVI

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St. Patrick’s Purgatory – Lough Derg, Ireland

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What do St. Patrick and purgatory have to do with each other?

Learn the answer and come along with Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox for a journey to Europe’s oldest pilgrimage destination. Find out about the famous three-day pilgrimage, which involves going barefoot the entire time, regardless of the weather or terrain.

The “Purgatory Island” experience is known as the most challenging pilgrimage in the Christian world.

Patrick’s Purgatory (Lough Derg, Ireland): 
www.loughderg.org

Suggested Reading:

  • Faustina’s Prayer Book for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone
  • Prayers, Promises and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone
  • A Pocket Guide to Purgatory by Patrick Madrid

Monte Sant’ Angelo – One of Italy’s Holiest Places

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Come along with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox to St. Michael’s Cave, located on the eastern coast of Italy. It was here that St. Michael the Archangel appeared to the bishop of the diocese three times. The Foxes will tell you about how St. Michael consecrated the cave, saying men’s sins would be pardoned here.

Hear about how the cave was often visited by St. Padre Pio. It was also a favorite destination of other saints and several Popes. You will also find out about how the Monte Sant’ Angelo was first discovered by a nobleman in search of a lost prized bull in the year 490.

Prayer to St. Michael

St. 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, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Official Site of the St. Michael Sanctuary – https://www.santuariosanmichele.it/?lang=en