Journeys of Hope | a Pilgrim Center of Hope podcast

Join Mary Jane Fox and Nan Balfour, as they guide us through a pilgrimage to the Holy Land unlike the ones of today; but like the ones, many faithful pilgrims took in the middle ages! Our journey will be with a woman who lived during the same time as St. Ignatius of Loyola. She was born in Italy in the late 15th century, and her name is Angela Merici. This woman, now a canonized saint, was an incredibly strong woman of faith and courage. St. Angela Merici is the founder of the Order of Nuns called the Ursulines and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as well.

During our journey, you will:

• Learn about the life of St. Angela Merici
• Discover what the pilgrimage experience was like during St. Angela's time.
• Gain some insight into discerning God's Will through the example of St. Angela Merici
• … much more!

Click here to see photos of St. Angela Merici and a map view of the Holy Land!

Jewel for the Journey:

"Do not lose heart, even if you should discover that you lack qualities necessary for the work to which you are called. He who called you will not desert you, but the moment you are in need he will stretch out his saving hand." - St. Angela Merici

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Listen along with Angela Sealana as she leads you on an audio pilgrimage to the first church dedicated to St. Gerard Majella in the United States, located in San Antonio. Her family has had connections to this parish for generations.

During our journey, you will:

• Enjoy an audio walk-through of the church building
• Hear about its unique story of founding, and over 100 years of history
• Learn about its namesake, Gerardo Maiella (Gerard Majella)
• …and much more!

Click here to see photos and a map view of St. Gerard Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX!

Jewel for the Journey:

"It is possible to live always in serenity, knowing well that in God's plan lies our happiness and fulfillment." – St. Gerard Majella

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Join Mary Jane Fox as she spiritually travels to the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Mother of all men and women. It is the first, the largest, and oldest Church dedicated to the Mother of God.

During our journey, Mary Jane will discuss:

• Relic of the Manger.
• The Marian image, painted by St. Luke.
• Why Mary is called Mother of all Mankind.
• Much more!

Click here to see photos, and a map view of St. Mary Major in Rome!

Jewel for the Journey:

"In trial or difficulty, I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear." – Saint Therese of Lisieux

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Featured Image by User:Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Journey with Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they travel to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, also known as Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Located atop the hill of Montmartre – the Mount of Martyrs, the Basilica is a popular place of pilgrimage. During this episode you will also learn about:

• All aspects of the Romano-Byzantine-style Basilica
• The history of the Basilica's perpetual Adoration of the Holy Eucharist since 1885
• St. Denis, the first Bishop & Martyr of Paris
• Why today the Basilica remains a place of continuous spiritual life

Click here to visit our website to view pictures and a map view of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, Frace.

Jewel for the Journey "Do not let the past disturb you, just leave everything in the Sacred Heart and begin again with joy." – St. Teresa of Calcutta

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Come on a journey with Angela Sealana and Jason Nunez as they spiritually travel to the Church of Saint Mary Major Assisi, Italy. Inside one of the oldest churches in Assisi, is the Shrine of the Stripping. This site recalls the incredible act of St. Frances renounced his patrimony, including his clothing, in the bishop's residence in the presence of his father. This is also the final resting place of Bl. Carlo Acutis. He was only 15 years old when he passed in a hospital in Monza, Italy, in 2006, offering all his sufferings for the Church and for the Pope.

During this program:

• Learn about the life of Bl. Carlo Acutis and the legacy he has left for the world.
• Discover the significance behind The Shrine of the Stripping and why Bl. Carlo's tomb is located there.
• Take away some lessons of how Bl. Carlo lived his life.
• Much more!

Click here to visit our website to view pictures of the tomb of Bl. Carlo Acutis, links to the 4 websites he created, quotes, and a map view of St. Mary Major in Assisi, Italy.

Jewel for the Journey:

"All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies." – Pope Francis, quote of Carlo Acutis as highlighted in Christus Vivit.

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Cover Art images captured from the Official website for the Carlo Acutis Association and the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Join Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox as they spiritually travel to Monte San Angelo, a city and comune in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy. This small city was made famous by an apparition of St. Michael the Archangel. His appearance has made this holy site a place of healing for pilgrims who travel from around the world.

During our journey, our hosts will discuss:

• Basilica of St. Michael–the only one consecrated by a celestial being, St. Michael.
• Historical site in many ways –small groups would spend time on retreat here before sailing to the Holy Land during the Crusades.
• Why the prayer of St. Michael is so powerful.
• Consecration to St. Michael

Click here to visit our website to access the St. Michael prayers mentioned in our episode, see photos and a map view of Monte San Angelo!

Jewel for the Journey:

"The battle against the Devil, which is the principal task of Saint Michael the Archangel, is still being fought today, because the Devil is still alive and active in the world." – Pope John Paul II

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Featured Image by Mboesch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Come on a journey with our Media Production Assistant, Jason Nunez, as we spiritually travel to San Giovanni Rotondo, located in southern Italy. San Giovanni Rotondo was the home of St. Pio of Pietrelcina from July 28, 1916, until his death on September 23, 1968. Mary Jane Fox will join Jason in the first part of our journey, to share her experiences to this sacred destination! The life of St. Pio of Pietrelcina will be the focus in the second half of this week's audio pilgrimage.

During this program, our hosts will discuss:

• What is the journey from the United States to San Giovanni Rotondo like?
• What kind of an experience can pilgrims expect to have?
• What does the Shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy look like?
• How can Padre Pio help us on our daily pilgrimage of life?
• Much more!

Click here to see photos and a map view of San Giovanni Rotondo.

Jewel for the Journey:

"The life and mission of Padre Pio prove that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted out of love, are transformed into a privileged way of holiness, which opens onto the horizons of a greater good, known only to the Lord." – Pope Saint John Paul II

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Come along with Eddie Reyes and Debbie Garza, pilgrimage group leaders for Pilgrim Center of Hope to the Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa, Poland! A pilgrimage destination for hundreds of years, this monastery dates back to the 14th century. Jasna Góra has become one of the most venerated sites in Catholicism, due in part to the Black Madonna of Częstochowa, which is a 14th-century icon credited with many miracles.

During this program, our hosts will discuss:

• What will pilgrims see/experience at the monastery?
• What is the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa?
• Why is the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa so important to the Polish people and to Catholics all over the world?
• Much more!

Click here to see photos and a map view of Jasna Góra Monastery.

Jewel for the Journey:

"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." (Luke 1:46-47)

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Come on a journey with Angela Sealana as she guides us in an audio pilgrimage to the Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem, built over the Virgin Mary's birthplace, the home of Mary's parents Sts. Joachim and Anne.

During our journey, we will:

• Learn about the history of this famous church and the City of Jerusalem itself
• Take you on a guided walk through the Church –what you would see, experience, and hear as a pilgrim
• Learn about the history of sacred music along with various samples, and will define some terms like Gregorian chant, Byzantine, etc.
• Much more!

Click here to see photos, a video of Fr. Victor Shoemaker singing the Salve Regina, listen to audio clips of the sacred music used In this Program, and a map view of St. Anne Church.

Jewel for the Journey:

"There is the music of heaven in all things, but we have forgotten to hear it until we sing." – St. Hildegard of Bingen

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox as they spiritually travel to Calvary in Jerusalem. This is the very site where Jesus, the Son of God was crucified and where he died.

During our journey, we will hear about Calvary and discuss:

• What does it look like today and how do we know this is THE place?
• Why is Mary, the Mother of Jesus called Our Lady of Sorrows? After all, she is in Heaven!
• How is it that calling on Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows helps us in our daily lives?
• Much more!

Click here to see photos and a map view of Calvary

Jewel for the Journey:

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." – St. John of the Cross

Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate