Virtual Pilgrimages
“Rely on the mighty Lord; constantly seek his face”…1 Chronicles 16:11
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…”— 2 Cor 4:7-9 & 16
Treasure in a stronghold… of clay
The treasure we have within us is the “Good News” that Christ, in rising, conquered sin and death, ending in Himself the frustration of this fallen earthly existence. We would expect to hold such a treasure in a stronghold of stone or metal, impregnable. Yet it is held inside of earthen vessels, vessels of clay. In this strange time, when we are so aware of our fragility, most of us have ceased traveling, hardly leaving our homes.
Many of our planned pilgrimages — true journeys of faith —had been postponed due to the coronavirus. That compelled us to journey to these holy places “by another way.”
Therefore, we have created “another way” to seek Christ on pilgrimage: we travel around the universal Church, visiting beautiful and spiritually significant places, and meeting the “living stones, ” the faithful souls we encounter there, via the internet. We hope you will join us!
Living stones
Our main goal: like St. Francis, who heard the Lord speak to him from a cross in Assisi, at San Damiano, we wish to build up the Church that is falling down.
Francis collected stones to rebuild a physical church. But today our “living stones” are also challenged, tempted to fly from the Faith, to yield to the blandishments of a pleasure-seeking society.
We want to gather up ourselves, and others, in a collection of “living stones” to rebuild the Church into a living body, globally, of people striving to love our neighbors — as Christ taught us — in search of holiness, of justice and peace, of happiness in life… and in death.
We have this treasure
The Logos, God’s Word, Christ himself, recalls us to our dignity: we are free, we can pass through the shedding of all that we have and are, through death itself, and yet hope to stand before the Eternal Holy One. We have this treasure, this life with God, in earthen vessels. Come join with us in our virtual vessel as we seek this treasure, and find it.
Throughout 2020 and 2021 we hosted live Virtual Pilgrimages to allow us to gather together, and pilgrimage to Holy Sites and Shrines, enjoy the beautiful art of the Vatican Museums, pray together, and meet the living stones of the church.
You can join us today, from the comfort of your home, through these recorded Virtual Pilgrimages.
Saint of the Week Series
You can view our complete Saint of the Week Series on our YouTube Channel.
Virtual Pilgrimage Highlights
You can view our highlights from our Virtual Pilgrimages on our YouTube Channel. Most highlights are less than 10 minutes, allowing you to go on pilgrimage at any time!
Full Virtual Pilgrimages
You can view our full recordings of our Virtual Pilgrimages on our YouTube Channel. Make a cup of tea and join us at the Vatican Museum with Dr. Jan Bentz. Or learn about the Shroud of Turin from renowned expert Jim Bertrand.