Andrea JLast Updated: May 22nd, 2024Featured Pilgrimages, Medjugorje, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections
Oftentimes, a pilgrimage affects a person so profoundly, they can’t help but share their experience when they return. While I’m sure we’ve all sat through endless vacation photos and stories from friends and family, the memories and experiences are much more than those from an average vacation. We have been blessed throughout the years to … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: October 27th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections
Upon arrival at your pilgrimage destination, many things happen all at once. You are often immersed in a new language, in a strange airport, trying to stick with your group and/or meet your guide, and all this while typically not having your best night’s sleep. So how do you make the most of this busy … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: April 9th, 2024Featured Pilgrimages, Travel Alerts, Travel Tips, Upcoming Pilgrimages
Do you like waiting in lines with hundreds of other people? Especially after an 8-hour flight with very little sleep? Do you like paying to be in a shorter line? If you’re like most people, the answers to the above questions are all no. If you don’t mind waiting for over an hour after your … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: August 25th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, France, Spiritual Reflections
When I was young, the ligaments around my knees did not form properly. I struggled walking and bending my constantly aching knees—I actually walked sideways, and sometimes my parents even had to bend my legs for me. The specialist told my parents I would lead a life of little activity. I recall at age 6 … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: August 11th, 2023Camino de Santiago, Featured Pilgrimages
For pilgrims planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a “passport” has two different meanings. Firstly, is the official government passport that allows you to travel internationally and enter Spain. And secondly is the special pilgrim’s passport that is carried along the Camino and stamped at various locations. This latter is also known … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: January 31st, 2024Featured Pilgrimages, Travel Alerts, Upcoming Pilgrimages
UPDATE: As of October 2023, the official website now says this program is expected to be operational from mid-2025. We will continue to update any pilgrims who may be in need of this authorization process when the proper time comes.You might have heard that there is a new requirement for US travelers to Europe scheduled … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: February 2nd, 2024Featured Pilgrimages, Italy, Pope Francis
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were instructed to take a Sabbatical Year every seventh year. The Book of Leviticus, chapter 25, explains that no planting was to happen – no crops grown – to give the land a rest. Since the Lord rested on the seventh day, all of creation was also to … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: July 14th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Pilgrims' Stories, Travel Alerts
It’s time for a pop quiz! Which of the following has NOT happened to a Tekton pilgrim in the past couple years? While vacationing in another country six weeks before his pilgrimage, John* fell and broke his hip. He was unable to depart on his pilgrimage. On the second day of his Holy Land pilgrimage, … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: June 23rd, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land, Spiritual Reflections
When I made my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2015, I was dubious about the authenticity of some sites on the itinerary. Highest on the list was a visit to Banias Springs—formerly the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi—to see “the rock where Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ.” The site is associated … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: June 9th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, France
Earlier this week, many commemorated the anniversary of D-Day, considered to be a turning point of World War II. Centered on the coast of France, numerous historical sites are visited by thousands each year. A number of our pilgrimages to France have included visits to these same sites – to pay respect to our fallen … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: May 5th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land
In his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord), Pope Benedict XVI writes:The word of God and the Holy Land 89. As we call to mind the Word of God who became flesh in the womb of Mary of Nazareth, our heart now turns to the land where the mystery of our salvation … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: April 21st, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Guadalupe, Holy Land, Ireland, Italy, Marian Shrines of Europe, Upcoming Pilgrimages
This is a question we get a lot from pilgrims who call or email us. The answer can vary based upon priorities and circumstances, but the simplest answer is: anytime! As there are many pilgrimage locations throughout the world, there is always somewhere to go, no matter the season. Summer Summer provides more opportunities for … Read More
Andrea JLast Updated: April 5th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: February 23rd, 2024Featured Pilgrimages, Poland, Spiritual Reflections
Lent is fast approaching. Before the fasting and abstinence of Ash Wednesday of course comes the feasting of Shrove or Fat Tuesday. Cakes and sweets and pastries, oh my! And don’t forget the popular Polish paczki—donuts filled with jelly or cream then deep fried and covered with powdered sugar, icing or glaze. (You’re drooling just … Read More
Natalie HoeferLast Updated: December 15th, 2022Featured Pilgrimages, Germany
Some Christmases stand out more than others for various reasons—a favorite gift, an idyllic snowfall, a Christmas where the whole family made it home. One Christmas stands out in my mind for family who wasn’t home. I have only one sibling, an older brother. We fought and squabbled like most siblings. But when he went … Read More
