Gothic, Grapes, and Gratitude
Sacred Sites, Fine Wine, and Gourmet Cuisine
The vision of Gothic, Grape and Gratitude
The vision of Sacred Encounters journeys was born from my own experiences of and passion for sacred art and music, and presentations and parish classes that I gave. Participants encouraged me to develop a pilgrimage that would give them a deeper, richer and more personal encounter with beauty. Over the years this trip has taken on its own charm and charism. Such offerings as sacred music concerts, evening charcuterie gatherings, guided reflections or discovering treasures found in less-visited churches make Sacred Encounters unique among pilgrimages.
Taking this 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. Whether one savors the rich foods and wines of France, gazes in silent awe at the Chartres Cathedral, or offers a prayer of thanksgiving while standing on the shores of the Normandy beaches, God gives each human the capacity to live a life of gratitude that can be expressed in the mundane and the magnificent. There will be days when we struggle to find God. That’s why we need experiences like Gothic, Grape and Gratitude, to remind us God is always near to us and wants to share the divine love in beauty, in food, in the narrative of the lives of those who sacrificed so that we too might live as they lived.
Taking this 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. Whether one savors the rich foods and wines of France, gazes in silent awe at the Chartres Cathedral, or offers a prayer of thanksgiving while standing on the shores of the Normandy beaches, God gives each human the capacity to live a life of gratitude that can be expressed in the mundane and the magnificent. There will be days when we struggle to find God. That’s why we need experiences like Gothic, Grape and Gratitude, to remind us God is always near to us and wants to share the divine love in beauty, in food, in the narrative of the lives of those who sacrificed so that we too might live as they lived.
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- Citation
Our Guides
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.’
ROXANN AUSTIN
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BRIAN MCGUIRE
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Pilgrimages
If none of these available dates work for you, please click the blue button below to be notified when the next pilgrimage is open for registration. You will receive an email with all the pilgrimage details at that time.
Alternatively, you can plan a pilgrimage for your parish by clicking the red button below. Someone from our office would be happy to speak with you about this.
Alternatively, you can plan a pilgrimage for your parish by clicking the red button below. Someone from our office would be happy to speak with you about this.
Why Choose Tekton?
Tekton Ministries has been leading Catholic pilgrimages for more than 20 years. We work and listen closely to our priests and pilgrimage leaders to create thoughtfully planned itineraries. We help make the Catholic faith more tangible to your daily life by taking you where the seeds of Catholicism were first planted to be spread across the world. Daily Mass and time for prayerful reflection are important parts of each day’s experience.
| 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 |
