A Journey into Divine Beauty through Art, Architecture, and Music
by Fr. Tom Lankenau
The first time I saw Michelangelo’s Pieta in St. Peter’s Basilica was 1995. I almost fell to my knees in awe. I didn’t know what to say. It was as if God had personally touched me through the marble, and for the briefest of moments I was in the very presence of the divine.
That encounter opened an entire new world of delight and inquiry, pursuit and proclamation. For the last 30 years I have embarked on a quest to encounter the Divine through beauty, exploring sacred sites and shrines, visiting museums, and attending concerts. I have also delved into the academic side, learning more about sacred architecture, artists and composers, and the stories behind the masterpieces that touch me. My repertoire of appreciation has also expanded, from Russian chants to contemporary composers like Henryk Górecki, 5th century mosaics to French impressionist paintings.
I have also integrated and infused the arts in my ministry. From developing a high school religion class on the Church and the Arts to illuminating homilies with art, I’m known as a pied piper of beauty. Lenten and Advent series, days of reflection, parish retreats, Knights of Columbus talks, parish classes, bulletin covers, even the walls in the parish center - I saw each as an opportunity to facilitate an encounter into the mystery of God’s love.
That encounter opened an entire new world of delight and inquiry, pursuit and proclamation. For the last 30 years I have embarked on a quest to encounter the Divine through beauty, exploring sacred sites and shrines, visiting museums, and attending concerts. I have also delved into the academic side, learning more about sacred architecture, artists and composers, and the stories behind the masterpieces that touch me. My repertoire of appreciation has also expanded, from Russian chants to contemporary composers like Henryk Górecki, 5th century mosaics to French impressionist paintings.
I have also integrated and infused the arts in my ministry. From developing a high school religion class on the Church and the Arts to illuminating homilies with art, I’m known as a pied piper of beauty. Lenten and Advent series, days of reflection, parish retreats, Knights of Columbus talks, parish classes, bulletin covers, even the walls in the parish center - I saw each as an opportunity to facilitate an encounter into the mystery of God’s love.
Eugene Brunand: The Disciples Peter and John running to the sepulchre on the morning of the Resurrection 1898.
Musée d'Orsay in Paris
Musée d'Orsay in Paris
The Good Samaritan (after Delacroix).
Vincent van Gogh, 1890. Kröller-Müller Museum.
Public Domain (cropped)
Vincent van Gogh, 1890. Kröller-Müller Museum.
Public Domain (cropped)
Church of St. Nizier, Lyon, France
(photo by Tom Lankenau)
(photo by Tom Lankenau)
In 2023 I developed a pilgrimage to Italy as an extension of the parish classes. So positive was the response that I repeated the trip again in 2025, and I am now developing an entire line of pilgrimages devoted entirely to art, architecture, and music, called Sacred Encounters.
Imagine gazing before the grandeur of Notre Dame, hearing the Mozart Requiem in the Salzburg cathedral, celebrating All Saints in the catacombs of Palermo or Rome, attending Mass with your family at Sagrada Familia, recreating the journey of the Monuments Men, or simply feeling uplifted in a quiet church.
Sacred Encounters pilgrimages offer unique lenses into such experiences, where you’ll have privileged encounters with art, architecture and music, from the crown jewels to the hidden gems. You’ll participate in liturgical, cultural and historical events, concerts, multi-course meals of regional foods, guided tours as well as free time to explore on your own, evening gatherings to share the highlights of the day.
Imagine gazing before the grandeur of Notre Dame, hearing the Mozart Requiem in the Salzburg cathedral, celebrating All Saints in the catacombs of Palermo or Rome, attending Mass with your family at Sagrada Familia, recreating the journey of the Monuments Men, or simply feeling uplifted in a quiet church.
Sacred Encounters pilgrimages offer unique lenses into such experiences, where you’ll have privileged encounters with art, architecture and music, from the crown jewels to the hidden gems. You’ll participate in liturgical, cultural and historical events, concerts, multi-course meals of regional foods, guided tours as well as free time to explore on your own, evening gatherings to share the highlights of the day.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the pilgrimages that will be offered through Sacred Encounters:
- Ireland: Saints, Shrines and Sips | September 2026
- Sicily: All Saints and All Souls | Oct 30 - Nov 9, 2026
- Great Cities Family Pilgrimage | London, Paris, Barcelona | June 5-15, 2027
- Following the Monuments Men | July 19-29, 2027
- Germany: Beethoven and Beauty | September 3-13, 2027
- Italy: All Saints and All Souls | Rome, Florence and Milan | Oct 29- Nov 8, 2027
- Plus Poland and Hungary (2028) Baroque Masters - Italy (2028) Great Britain (2028)
The Church possesses a treasure trove of art and music whose beauty waits to be discovered. These works are not just beautiful in themselves but serve to retell the Gospel story of salvation and engage the viewer through the senses and draw them into active participation in the divine life. I invite you to join us on a journey of beauty, where together we can encounter the God who seeks to encounter us.
Gothic, Grape, and Gratitude
A Unique Sacred Encounters Pilgrimage
Taking the Sacred Encounters idea of offering a varied, rich and unique experience one step further, Gothic, Grape and Gratitude trips were developed to integrate the various ways humans encounter the divine - through beauty, food and wine, stories of inspiration - such that participants would be invited to cultivate a life of joy.
View Gothic, Grape, & Gratitude Pilgrimages
Meet the Team
Fr. Tom Lankenau
Fr. Tom Lankenau hails from Colorado, where he studied wildlife biology and conservation education at Colorado State University.
Travel was always in his DNA, from family journeys to national parks to taking his father to Normandy where he landed in 1945. In his 30 years as a Jesuit he has studied, lived and traveled throughout the United States and five continents. His frequent sojourns have also fueled his passion for sacred art, music and architecture, where every itinerary included visits to churches, museums and sacred sites. Through self study and developing parish and high school courses on the Church and the arts, Fr. Tom brings a unique eye, heartfelt passion, and an evangelizing spirit in his quest to share the ‘Gospel of Beauty.’
Travel was always in his DNA, from family journeys to national parks to taking his father to Normandy where he landed in 1945. In his 30 years as a Jesuit he has studied, lived and traveled throughout the United States and five continents. His frequent sojourns have also fueled his passion for sacred art, music and architecture, where every itinerary included visits to churches, museums and sacred sites. Through self study and developing parish and high school courses on the Church and the arts, Fr. Tom brings a unique eye, heartfelt passion, and an evangelizing spirit in his quest to share the ‘Gospel of Beauty.’
Kathleen McCance
Kathleen McCance inherited the travel gene and love of art and design from her family. She has decades of experience in the international travel industry and has traveled extensively. Inspired by, and happy to add pilgrimages to her travel repertoire, Katheen believes many of her experiences and adventures are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. She hopes your travel journeys and pilgrimages are as fun and spiritually impactful as hers!
Why Choose Tekton?
- 25+ Years in Ministry
- True pilgrimage – not religious tours
- Custom-crafted itineraries
- Authentic Catholic experiences
- Inclusive, competitive pricing
- Properly paced itineraries include daily Mass and time for reflection
- Only Catholic/Christian guides
- Prayerful pre-pilgrimage preparation
- Custom guidebooks, name and luggage tags
- Local offices and support worldwide
- Free pilgrimage promotional materials
- Easy online registration means no extra effort for your busy staff
