September 19, 2024 – vatican ruling on medjugorjeMy alarm clock awakened me at 4:27 am on Thursday morning, September 19, 2024. Blurry eyed, but wide awake and excited, I took my ipad to watch the live Vatican press conference about Medjugorje, starting at 4:30 am CST, on the Vatican YouTube channel. This was a hugely … Read More
A Pilgrim’s Podcast
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
Medjugorje Movie Update
Recently, our guide in Medjugorje – Ann Vucic – wrote an article for Spirit Daily about an exciting production coming soonish to theaters near you! It all began in 2022 when Jennifer Tadlock met Holly Carney and shared her vision for a movie about Medjugorje to thank the Blessed Mother for all the graces Jennifer … Read More
10 Things You’ll Wish You Brought on Pilgrimage
Preparing to go on a pilgrimage is a very exciting experience. We know it can be difficult when you’re preparing to go into the unknown, so we’ve compiled suggestions from a former pilgrim of a few things you might overlook that will help you make the most of your journey:
A Pilgrimage Through the Liturgical Year
This past Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, as well as the last Sunday of the liturgical year. Next week is Catholic New Year – the first Sunday of Advent. For over 2000 years, the Church has been refining and reforming the liturgical calendar. … Read More
How to Make the Most of your First Day of Pilgrimage
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
Mobile Passport Control
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
Healing Comes in Many Forms at Lourdes
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
A Different Kind of Passport
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
New Visa for Europe?
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
Jubilee Year 2025
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
Is Travel Insurance Worth It?
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
Upon this Rock
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
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Sacred Scripture has a lot to say about love and the nature of God. The first letter from John mentions love more than any other book of the Bible:Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not … Read More