The Pilgrim's Journey

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Healing Comes in Many Forms at Lourdes

Natalie HoeferLast Updated: August 25th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, France, Spiritual Reflections

When I was young, the ligaments around my knees did not form properly. I struggled walking and bending my constantly aching knees—I actually walked sideways, and sometimes my parents even had to bend my legs for me. The specialist told my parents I would lead a life of little activity. I recall at age 6 … Read More

A Different Kind of Passport

Andrea JLast Updated: August 11th, 2023Camino de Santiago, Featured Pilgrimages

For pilgrims planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a “passport” has two different meanings.  Firstly, is the official government passport that allows you to travel internationally and enter Spain.  And secondly is the special pilgrim’s passport that is carried along the Camino and stamped at various locations.  This latter is also known … Read More

New Visa for Europe?

Andrea JLast Updated: August 3rd, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Travel Alerts, Upcoming Pilgrimages

You might have heard that there is a new requirement for US travelers to Europe scheduled to take effect in 2024.  Originally planned to come into effect in 2021, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), has been postponed until next year. Once it does come into effect, everyone planning to travel to any … Read More

Jubilee Year 2025

Andrea JLast Updated: July 21st, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Italy, Pope Francis

In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were instructed to take a Sabbatical Year every seventh year. The Book of Leviticus, chapter 25, explains that no planting was to happen – no crops grown – to give the land a rest.  Since the Lord rested on the seventh day, all of creation was also to … Read More

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Andrea JLast Updated: July 14th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Pilgrims' Stories, Travel Alerts

It’s time for a pop quiz! Which of the following has NOT happened to a Tekton pilgrim in the past couple years? While vacationing in another country six weeks before his pilgrimage, John* fell and broke his hip. He was unable to depart on his pilgrimage. On the second day of his Holy Land pilgrimage, … Read More

Upon this Rock

Natalie HoeferLast Updated: June 23rd, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land, Spiritual Reflections

When I made my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2015, I was dubious about the authenticity of some sites on the itinerary. Highest on the list was a visit to Banias Springs—formerly the ancient city of Caesarea Philippi—to see “the rock where Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ.” The site is associated … Read More

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Tekton MinistriesLast Updated: June 22nd, 2023France, Spiritual Reflections

Sacred Scripture has a lot to say about love and the nature of God.  The first letter from John mentions love more than any other book of the Bible:Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not … Read More

Connecting History, Faith, and Culture in France

Andrea JLast Updated: June 9th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, France

Earlier this week, many commemorated the anniversary of D-Day, considered to be a turning point of World War II.  Centered on the coast of France, numerous historical sites are visited by thousands each year.  A number of our pilgrimages to France have included visits to these same sites – to pay respect to our fallen … Read More

Making third class relics in the Holy Land (and beyond)

Natalie HoeferLast Updated: June 23rd, 2023Holy Land, Spiritual Reflections

In 2015, I was blessed to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Everything I saw was new to me and filled my soul with awe—except one thing. One thing I’d never seen left me curious and confused. At different holy sites, there would be a star on the ground with a hole in … Read More

May is for Mary

Andrea JLast Updated: May 12th, 2023Marian Shrines of Europe, Monthly Devotions, Spiritual Reflections

May is the month traditionally devoted to the Blessed Mother.  It is also the last in our series exploring the monthly devotions in the Catholic church. Devotion to the Blessed Mother dates back to the early Church, with Church Fathers such as St. Ignatius, St. Justin, and St. Irenaeus extolling her virtues in their writing.  … Read More

The Fifth Gospel

Andrea JLast Updated: May 5th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land

In his Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord), Pope Benedict XVI writes:The word of God and the Holy Land 89. As we call to mind the Word of God who became flesh in the womb of Mary of Nazareth, our heart now turns to the land where the mystery of our salvation … Read More

The Best Time for a Pilgrimage

Andrea JLast Updated: April 21st, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Guadalupe, Holy Land, Ireland, Italy, Marian Shrines of Europe, Upcoming Pilgrimages

This is a question we get a lot from pilgrims who call or email us.  The answer can vary based upon priorities and circumstances, but the simplest answer is: anytime! As there are many pilgrimage locations throughout the world, there is always somewhere to go, no matter the season. Summer Summer provides more opportunities for … Read More

Honoring the Blessed Sacrament in April

Andrea JLast Updated: April 14th, 2023Monthly Devotions, Spiritual Reflections

In April, the Church encourages a new or renewed devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.  As the Eucharist is truly Jesus present here on earth, praying in front of or near the Blessed Sacrament is an effective way to be literally close to God. In the early Church, consecrated bread was brought to the sick and … Read More

Praying in the Garden with Jesus

Andrea JLast Updated: April 5th, 2023Featured Pilgrimages, Holy Land, Pilgrims' Stories, Spiritual Reflections

Where Holy Week (Semana Santa) is a tradition of its own

Natalie HoeferLast Updated: May 18th, 2023Camino de Santiago, Spain, Spiritual Reflections

Catholics around the globe share similar traditions during Holy Week—Stations of the Cross, Passion plays, and, of course, Holy Thursday and Good Friday services. But in Spain, the words for Holy Week—Semana Santa—represent an entire tradition of its own. It began as an effort by the Marqués de Tarifa to bring the tradition of the … Read More