The Pilgrim's Journey

St. Simeon the Stylite: Guinness Book World record for pole sitting

Richard SontagLast Updated: February 8th, 2021Uncategorized

We certainly are not providing any pilgrimages to Syria these days, but we thought the story would be an interesting one. Enjoy. (ZionsvilleCurrent, by Don Knebel) One of the world’s oldest churches honors a fifth-century ascetic whose record for endurance has remained unbroken. The church itself originated a design that is still emulated. The person … Read More

Pope Francis: Vatican to announce decision on Medjugorje

Richard SontagLast Updated: July 13th, 2020Uncategorized

(OSV) — Pope Francis said the Vatican was ready to make an announcement concerning the alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith met recently to discuss the issue and “we’ve reached the point of making a decision and then they will say,” he told journalists on the flight … Read More

Top 10 Catholic Cities exude Faith in their history, landscape and cultures

R RLast Updated: July 13th, 2020Uncategorized

(by Gretchen R. Crowe, OSV Newsweekly) Ready for some Catholic sightseeing?  Based on culture, history, physical landscape and spirituality, the following list of Top 10 U.S. Catholic Cities — listed in no particular order — highlights American hubs with a Catholic pulse. Each location, whether it be large or small, east or west, contributes to the richness … Read More

8 things that fit INSIDE St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

R RLast Updated: February 3rd, 2021Uncategorized

By John White, CatholicVote.com – Next Saturday (June 29) will mark the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.   As the universal Church prepares to honor two of her greatest saints, Catholics around the world will be asking themselves the same question that they do every year around this time:   What huge things could … Read More

Lent Day 42 – Flowers in the Desert

R RLast Updated: July 3rd, 2014Uncategorized

We began these daily Lent reflections by noting how Lent takes us into a spiritual desert. Biblical people knew all about the desert: Abraham has to cross it to get to the promised land; Moses and the Israelite people have to go through it to get home; Joseph is sent into Egypt and prison before … Read More

Lent Day 11 – St. Thomas More and the Theo-drama

R RLast Updated: February 3rd, 2021Uncategorized

The late Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, whom I mentioned yesterday, often spoke of the “theo-drama.” This is the drama written and directed by God and involving every creature in the cosmos. On the grand stage that is the created universe, we are invited to “act,” to find and play our role in God’s … Read More

St. John the Beloved

St. John, the Beloved

R RLast Updated: January 7th, 2021Uncategorized

As I reflected on today’s feast of St. John, and its placement in the Octave of Christmas, I was struck again by the delicate layers of insight the Spirit gives to the Church in our liturgical life.  Even before we ponder the poetic proclamation of witness in the first reading, the placing of the feast … Read More

Thanksgiving Meditation

R RLast Updated: June 13th, 2024Uncategorized

In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 This Gospel Acclamation for Thanksgiving Day can be a challenge at times. There may be parts of our lives for which we are not thankful – death, destruction, uncertainty, violence, sadness, hurt – and … Read More

Our Lady of Knock new feast day, August 17th, tomorrow!

R RLast Updated: August 11th, 2020Uncategorized

New Feast Day for Knock The Vatican has approved a new Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock and this is the 17th August every year.  It will be listed in the new Roman Missal and has it’s own new Memorial Mass. The reason why the 17th August was chosen is that the 21st August … Read More

Widow of Nain

Widow of Nain

R RLast Updated: June 13th, 2024Uncategorized

This Gospel tells the story of Jesus encountering the widow of Nain.  The encounter was  bitterly painful.  We hear that Jesus took pity on the woman when he saw her.  Pity, not in the present condescending understanding of the word but in its original meaning.  Jesus sympathized with her because he too was suffering from … Read More

La Virgencita, Patroness of the Americas

R RLast Updated: July 27th, 2023Guadalupe, Uncategorized

Mexico City can be an intimidating to fly into.  It’s not like San Diego when you are still flying but you’re able to see people at work through their office windows… above you.  Or like Washington D.C. when your ears pop and you transition from horizontal to vertical to horizontal within thirty seconds.  What makes … Read More