Pilgrimage

It’s been nearly 10 years since I traveled to Italy on a pilgrimage, yet I can still remember the vibrant-colored facades in Venice, the peacefulness of Assisi and the overwhelming excitement I felt seeing the late Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

That 10-day trip not only took me to amazing and holy places, including Florence and Padua, but also brought to life the lives of the saints. I saw the stone on which St. Anthony laid his head while resting in the garden, prayed in front of the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis of Assisi, the room where St. Philip Neri levitated while in meditation, the incorruptible bodies of St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Catherine of Siena and the chains that bound St. Peter.

For me, that Italy pilgrimage made a huge impression on my faith life, and it’s something I’ll always cherish.

You have a chance this fall to make a pilgrimage and walk in the footsteps of St. Paul, when Spirit Catholic Radio sponsors a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate the station’s 15^th anniversary. Steve Ray, an author, producer and Bible scholar, will lead the Oct. 31-Nov. 9 pilgrimage, which will take you to Athens, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Ephesus, Pergamum, Corinth, Patmos and Istanbul, with an optional trip to Rome, Lanciano and Manoppello.

After many years of planning pilgrimages, Steve has developed a unique itinerary that you won’t find anywhere else. Most cruise lines serve a mix of secular and Biblical attractions, but the ports on this cruise have been handpicked by Steve and are all focused on the Bible.

Joining Steve will be Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln; Father Michael Voithofer, associate pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha; Father Scott Courtney, pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Steinauer and Sacred Heart Parish in Burchard; and Jim Carroll, executive director of Spirit Catholic Radio. 

Steve and his wife, Janet, are the writers, producers and hosts of the Footprints of God video series. Steve is the author of five books, speaks around the world and is a guest on many radio and television programs. 

If you’re interested in the pilgrimage, you can find more information on our website, spiritcatholicradio.com.

 Blogged by Lisa Maxson, Senior Writer/Reporter