COMMENT FROM TOM GOVERN, FREQUENT TRAVELER WITH FOOTPRINTS OF GOD
I cannot wait for this Poland trip this August! Poland has been on my bucket list for years and I cannot think of a better way of satisfying that list item than a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray. Not only is Poland rich in spiritual and secular history but it was pivotal in the fall of Communism.
My thanks to Steve and Janet for the opportunity. All of Steve and Janet’s pilgrimages are exceptional. This trip will be my eleventh (11th) with them. I would not do it any other way.
We all know the story of Pope St. John Paul II and his heroic life and how he brought the Soviet empire to its knees. We follow John Paul II from his birth to his death. After a pilgrimage to Poland you’ll feel very close to the saint. The popularity of the Divine Mercy has swept the world and we will visit the convent of St. Maria Faustina to pray the Divine Mercy in front of her relics in the church at her convent. One of her Sisters will address our group. One of the most sobering moments of a pilgrimage to Poland is a visit to Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Here we’ll see the cell where St. Maximilian Kolby gave his life in exchange for a family man. Standing in the courtyard where the prisoners stood that day is very emotional. We will also discuss St. Edith Stein, the Jewish convert and Carmelite nun who died in these camps. The hotels, food, Catholic guides, buses and talks along the way only contribute to the glory of visiting this amazing Catholic country. Italy is another one of our destinations this year. But there are two things that make it unique from other trips to Rome. Many people have visited the Eternal City but we will be extending the trip outside to three other profound spiritual sites. First, will spend two days in the medieval city of Assisi. Here we will have a cooking class and we will also have a wine tasting with our Catholic guide, Liz Lev. We will also be visiting Lanciano home of one of the world’s most famous Eucharistic miracles with Mass in front of the stunning miracle. We will also celebrate Mass in front of the Facecloth of Christ at Manoppello. This is the face cloth that was on our Lord while he was in the tomb. My friend Paul Badde, the author of the bestselling Ignatius Press book “The Face of God” will join us and give a talk on this amazing face cloth. Liz Lev, the most “in-demand” guide in Rome and our great friend, will be our guide for this pilgrimage. There are special streets opened up for Christmas shopping for which we will have plenty of time. All the highlights of Rome are included in our itinerary. We will also meet with the Swiss guards and have a talk from their captain. Hopefully, you will be able to join us on one of these trips as we continue to explore and appreciate the great riches and traditions of our Catholic Faith.{ 4 comments }