The Pilgrim's Journey

2025 International Travel Requirements

Andrea JLast Updated: February 17th, 2025Camino de Santiago, England, Featured Pilgrimages, France, Germany, Greece and Turkey, Holy Land, Italy, Marian Shrines of Europe, Medjugorje, Poland, Spain, Travel Alerts, Travel Tips, Upcoming Pilgrimages

Recently, several countries have changed their entry requirements for US citizens. Some have not yet taken effect but are in the works. What countries are affected and what do you need to do?  Read on to find out!Some basic information about all the new programs: These are officially not visas. They are travel authorizations. They … Read More

Mobile Passport Control

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

New Visa for Europe?

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

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

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

Can you Renew a US Passport Online?

Andrea JLast Updated: June 9th, 2023News, Travel Alerts, US News

Yes you can! (Maybe) UPDATE 6/1/2023: According to the state.gov website, the pilot program has ended.  They hope to re-launch it for everyone at a later date. UPDATE 1/5/2023: Our staff member who tested out this process has now received her passport.  She submitted the application on October 27, 2022 and it was marked as … Read More

What is a Pilgrimage?

Bri CampbellLast Updated: February 16th, 2023Pilgrims' Stories, Travel Alerts

Merriam Webster defines a pilgrimage as “a journey of a pilgrim,” especially: “one (journey) to a shrine or a sacred place.”  The first known use of the word ‘pilgrimage’ was in the 14th century, but the action of taking a pilgrimage had already existed for millennia at that point. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Abraham was … Read More

10 Life Hacks for the Modern Day Pilgrim

Bri CampbellLast Updated: January 25th, 2018Featured Pilgrimages, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections, Travel Alerts

Are you embarking on a pilgrimage soon? Don’t let yourself treat this spiritual journey like a vacation; having the right mindset while traveling is key to getting the most out of your journey! Help yourself prepare by taking into account these 10 Life Hacks from a former pilgrim:Take a prayer list.When on pilgrimage you are … Read More