July 11th is the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia, a first century saint whose works still have an effect on the world today. Born in 480 into a life of wealth and nobility, Benedict left it all behind at the age of 20. Studying in Rome, he was not pleased with his life there … Read More
Living a Life Surrounded by the Eucharist
Bri CampbellLast Updated: July 15th, 2020Featured Pilgrimages, Italy, Spiritual Reflections
This year, I’ve been particularly noticing the great amount of celebrations within the Church calendar, especially those since Holy Week. I don’t know if it’s just a special quirk of extra attentiveness, or if the tumultuous events that have filled 2020 so far have kept me looking out for the hidden brightness in our world … Read More
Baptism, the Living Water, and the Fountains of Rome
Close to three years ago, I had the blessed opportunity to visit Rome, Italy. I, along with many extended family members, flew in to give our support to a cousin of mine (now a priest) whose ordination to the diaconate was held in St. Peter’s Basilica. The trip served not only to show our love … Read More
A Feast, A Chair, and A Man
A hop, jump, and skip away, across the pond, through the massive doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, past the behemoth main altar, and just below the famous stained-glass window of the Holy Spirit, resides an enormous work of bronze created by the great Baroque artist Bernini. Grand in scale and precise in details, the sculptor … Read More
Let Living Waters Flow
Bri CampbellLast Updated: November 7th, 2019Italy
Entering St John Lateran in Rome is a homecoming for Catholics. It’s also a witness to the seeds of faith planted by the blood of martyrs. Standing atop the monumental church are statues of the apostles holding the instruments used in their martyrdom. They seem more like pillars holding up the Church, showing us the … Read More
St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Main Rule: Pray Always!
It’s fitting that the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Rome holds the sacred icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. St. Alphonsus wrote The Glories of Mary, one of the most used books of devotion to the Virgin Mary. In Rome, the church that houses his tomb, is a beautiful chapel that holds the … Read More
The Holy Eucharist Never Stops Inspiring
Bri CampbellLast Updated: June 18th, 2019Italy
A Basilian monk, who had doubted the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist, was celebrating Mass, and at the consecration, saw that the Host had changed into flesh. The wine had changed into blood; clotting and coagulating into five clots of differing sizes. His doubt led to the first recorded Eucharistic Miracle, making … Read More
This Powerhouse of a Saint Finds more than Lost Items
The back of the envelope had the initials S.A.G. with a cross on each side. Inside, was some money and the sender –a wise mother– had invoked St. Anthony of Padua to make sure it got to her daughter who was overseas. This was before cellphones, computers, and automatic transfers. It was just the 1980s, … Read More
Incorrupt Saints – A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth – The Saints Who’ve Stood the Test of Time
Bri CampbellLast Updated: April 1st, 2022France, Italy, Marian Shrines of Europe, Medjugorje
What does “incorrupt” mean?The word “incorrupt” means “not having undergone decomposition, especially of a human body.”What is an incorrupt saint? In the realm of Catholicism, an incorrupt saint is one whose body experiences little, no, or delayed decomposition after death. It is believed that divine intervention has allowed a number of human bodies to forgo … Read More
This Holy Site Takes Catholic Aerobics to a Whole New Level
Bri CampbellLast Updated: September 16th, 2020Italy, Pilgrims' Stories
It was a hot spring day in Rome as we exited the cool marble interior of the massive Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. As we gathered together around our tour guide, Irene, her voice came through our whisper headsets, stating that our next destination was the Holy Stairs, right across the street.“What are those?” a … Read More
Off the Beaten Path: Subiaco, Italy
This coming spring, one of our pilgrimage groups will visit Subiaco, Italy. While this small town is often overlooked as a pilgrimage destination, it is well worth the short hour’s drive from Rome to see several historical and spiritual treasures. Sacro Speco Nestled in the hillside above the peaceful town, you’ll find Sacro Speco – … Read More
The Rosary: Prayer of Power and Consequence
The Rosary has a long and rich history. While it’s origins are often disputed, one thing those who pray the Rosary can agree with is this: it is a prayer of great power and consequence. From turning the winds to bring about victory in battle, to turning a satanist into a saint, this prayer of … Read More
St. Dominic and the Origins of the Rosary
Hidden Spiritual Gem in Rome Reminds Us to Embrace Our Crosses
Near the catacombs in Rome, walking along the Appian Way, you’re likely to stumble upon a hidden spiritual gem – the Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, or the Church of “Lord, Where Are You Going?”. While the architecture is relatively unassuming, the message: “Lord, where are you going?” speaks loud and clear to those who … Read More