Steve, back in Illinois and adjusting to life without breakfast salami.

The experience of pilgrimage fulfills the words of Augustine Fides quarens intellectum. Faith leads to understanding, not the other way around as practiced in our secular society.  Understanding is the reward of faith;  an understanding based more on trust than fact.

The Shroud was on my “bucket list.”  It was my focus, the rest being just icing on the cake.  So, I came curious, but left convicted.

In the final analysis, it was less the relics and more the pilgrims.  All those souls gathering in a desire to grow in faith provided context to my heart — the Church Militant is a singular pilgrim community that cooperates for the salvation of the world.  This satisfies a need of the heart that the mind can never provide.

I love being Catholic. ~Joe

Lord, I just want to thank you for being such a good and loving Savior and caring for me and blessing me in so many ways.   Thank you for allowing Jeff and me to go to Italy and see all the beautiful holy relics that you have left for us to assist in strengthening and enriching our faith.

Everyday there were new blessings starting with your Holy Shroud.  Our group of a hundred-fifty pilgrims, Steve and Janet Ray, Father Scott Courtney, Teresa Tomeo, and a total of 1.5 million other Christians all standing in line to see you, waiting quietly to see your face, the face of Jesus in your burial cloth. The blood stains at your feet, hands, the crown of thrones and the wound in your side, all a reminder of how much you love us. The anticipation was over whelming as we prayed and praised you in line. Just as we were about to enter the church I was overcome by your precious Holy Spirit. I knew you wanted us all to feel your holy presence and to receive this great gift you have left for us. Praise you Jesus for caring so much for each one of us. Then holy Mass at St Francis de Sales Church in Turin.

Well, Lord I didn’t think you could top that, but you did. A day long trip to Assisi, what would that bring, see the sights, take a nap, but no, you had something greater in mind. You wanted to speak to our hearts and prepare us for the rest of the Pilgrimage. First, Father Scott said the Rosary and not only was the bus moving but your Holy Spirit was on the move, touching hearts even my non-Catholic husband was touched. Next, we listened to the conversion story of Steve Ray.  As he talked it made me ashamed, because as a cradle Catholic I have been keeping my faith under a bushel basket, and not sharing how wonderful it is to be Catholic with my non-Catholic sisters and brothers. I have not been fully appreciating the richness of my faith, not being joyful and on fire for you, so others can see all the blessing you have given me through your church. We ended the day celebrating Mass at St Mary of the Angels Basilica in Assisi.

We started the next day with Mass at St. Clare Basilica. After mass we hopped on the bus, up we went to the top of the hill and toured the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi.  The rain did not stop us from seeing the holy example St. Clare and St. Francis showed us, in the humble and simple way they lived. Their lives were depicted in the works of art through out the Basilicas, which Elizabeth Lev, an art history professor, brought to life for us. Lord, help me become a channel of your peace, to live a simple and holy life, and thank you for the example set by your holy saints.

The journey continued the next day to the Holy House of Nazareth in Lanciano where your mother Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was going to be your mother. Mary then went to Elizabeth and told her that the mighty God had done great things for her and that His mercy would reach from age to age. How blessed are we that we can see a part of the home where you grew up. We could see two worn groves in the marble floor where pilgrims like us prayed on their knees around the perimeter of the Holy House, which is now incased in marble. The same day we had Mass at the Shrine in Lanciano were you cared so much for a priest that was struggling with his faith, that you preformed a Eucharistic miracle on a rugged little alter in a tiny little church, your heart tissue and your blood type AB the same blood type found on the shroud. You have weaved these miracles together so lovingly just for us.

Our miracle day! Your Spirit was at work today making it possible for us to have mass at the new shrine of Padre Pio, where no one other than the Pope and the friars are allowed to perform mass. Steve Ray made arrangements a year ago for us to have mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, but he was moved to the new tomb in April. Steve Ray told our Italian escort to tell the curator that if he tells 150 pilgrims to sit they will sit and not move. The Italian escort also told her, he would go to the market and buy bread and wine and we would have mass the old way. She finally agreed to let Father Scott say mass. None of us new this was going on until after the most Spirit filled mass of the trip. Then we went up to the top where you can see a view of the Adriatic Sea and there we found the Grotto of Michael the Archangel, and it was closed, so you Lord had the Friar open it just for us.  What a day!!!

On our way to Rome we stopped to see Veronica’s Veil, another faith building experience. The features on the Shroud match the face on the veil perfectly. Lord you are so awesome to have left us so many signs of your love. When we arrived in Rome we went down into the catacombs of St. Callixtus and saw the tombs of the early Christians. I have to admit it did give me the hebegebees.  Then we celebrated mass at the church of St. Callixtus. Cardinal Arinza was a surprise guest at our dinner. He told us as lay people we represent 99% of the church and we have a responsibility to share our faith. Lord help me to show your joy to others.

We ended in Rome being part of the Papal audience. I was able to get up close, about six feet from the Pope. He was in his pope-mobile just like you see him on EWTN. Our group was shouting “We love being Catholic! WOO! WOO!” There were people from all over the world. What a privilege to see the leader of your Holy Catholic Church up close and personal.  Jeff says “I was like a five year old at Disneyland for the first time”.  After all that excitement, we concluded with mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica.

Our farewell dinner was bitter sweet. Saying good-by to our new friends in Christ and being afraid to leave for fear I won’t change the things you want to change in me. Lord have Mercy.

Yes, we did get to shop.  What was my favorite part of the trip you ask? It was the tomb at the shrine of Padre Pio and the mass that was held there. My husbands favorite was daily mass. I never expected that answer. Maybe we will have a Magnificat miracle. Praise God!!!

Thank you Magnificat sisters from the bottom of our hearts. Darlene and Jeff May 2010

DEAR JANET AND STEVE,

MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND I HAD A FANTASTIC PILGRIMAGE THANKS TO YOUR PLANNING AND PROFESSIONALISM, NOT TO MENTION YOUR LOVE OF GOD AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE HOLY PLACES. HOPE YOUR ROME EXTENSION WENT WELL ALSO, AM SURE IT DID. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A LIFETIME.  HOPE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF AGAIN ONE DAY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

SINCERELY IN CHRIST,

ANN HALL

MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND I HAD A FANTASTIC PILGRIMAGE THANKS TO YOUR PLANNING AND PROFESSIONALISM, NOT TO MENTION YOUR LOVE OF GOD AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE HOLY PLACES. HOPE YOUR ROME EXTENSION WENT WELL ALSO, AM SURE IT DID. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A LIFETIME.  HOPE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF AGAIN ONE DAY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

SINCERELY IN CHRIST,
ANN

As he venerated the Shroud of Turin on Sunday, May 3, Pope Benedict XVI said that the cloth is a reminder of Holy Saturday, when the body of Jesus lay in the tomb, in “the no-man’s-land between death and resurrection.”

During that time, the Pope remarked, the Lord descended into hell. “Jesus Christ, by dwelling in death, crossed the threshold of this ultimate solitude in order to lead us to cross it with Him.”

In the meditation that he delivered at the Turin cathedral, where the Shroud is exposed for public veneration, the Holy Father said that the Shroud is a powerful icon for the 21st century. The Shroud, he explained, forces believers to think about Christ in the tomb, having suffered death. On Holy Saturday the Incarnate God is invisible to the world. There is a great emptiness– like the emptiness of heart that so many feel in modern society.

“The concealment of God is part of the spirituality of modern man,” the Pope continued. “Following the two world Wars, the concentration camps, the gulags, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, our age has increasingly become an Easter Saturday. The darkness of that day is a call to everyone who questions themselves about life, particularly to us as believers. We too are involved in this darkness.”

But the darkness of Holy Saturday is prelude to the blinding light of the Resurrection, the Pope reminded his listeners. “And I feel that, looking at this sacred cloth with the eyes of faith, something of this light is perceptible.” The crucified Christ, “who bears on himself the passion of men of all times and places, including our passions, sufferings, difficulties and sins,” rises up with a” solemn majesty, a paradoxical lordship.”

The Pope had begun his visit to Turin by celebrating an outdoor Mass, with about 25,000 people in the congregation. After his visit to the cathedral he returned to the Piazza San Carlo, where the Mass had been held, for a meeting with the young Catholics of the city. Later in the afternoon he visited the Little House of Divine Providence and spoke to the sick there, encouraging them to unite their suffering to the Cross of Christ and telling them that in their illness “you participate in the mystery of His suffering for the salvation of the world.”

Source: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6207

In the world of travel, pre-planning is key. We have dates reserved years in advance. Check out our Events Schedule to to see them all.

Pilgrimage sponsorships are welcomed and additional customized dates are possible for groups larger than 40 people. Ask us about sponsorship programs by calling 1(734) 926-9070 or emailing sray@me.com.

1 million already plan to see Shroud of Turin during exposition this year
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=5466
Over 1 million people have already reserved tickets to see the Shroud of Turin when it is exposed for veneration in April and May this year. The public exposition in the Turin cathedral will begin April 10 and continue through May 23. Tickets are free, but reservations are required as organizers of the exposition seek to regulate the flow of pilgrims through the cathedral.

We already have reservations and a wonderful trip planned. Join Steve and Janet as we lead you through Italy in an authentically Catholic experience.

Fr. Mark Lawor

Several people have asked about the recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  In reflection, I know that it was a blessing to have been invited by Gail Buckley of Catholic Scripture Study, Int. to serve as a chaplain.  It was also a blessing to be in the company of hosts and guides Steve and Janet Ray.  Steve and Janet have a great knowledge of the Holy Land and are enthusiastic Catholic witnesses.  The majority of the pilgrims were part of a delegation of Spirit Radio based in Nebraska. We began with five priests & 67 pilgrims.  One priest had to return home to NE after he received the sad news that his father had died.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land affords one an opportunity to see and experience the places that are important in Scripture and in Salvation History.  I knew that it would be an enriching experience with regard to teaching and preaching, but a pilgrimage also renews oneʼs spiritual life. Seeing sites that have been venerated by countless pilgrims reminded me that the Church, as the Family of God, transcends time.  Among the great memories were trips to Bethlehem, Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Cana, Caesarea Philippi, and of course, Jerusalem.  People have asked if there was a high point for me.  It was all great; but the opportunities to lead the Way of the Cross along the traditional Stations and to celebrate the Mass at the Tomb of Christ were the high points for me.
I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which encloses the last few stations, Calvary and the empty tomb several times.  The Upper Room is the site of the
institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Christian Priesthood, and the place where the disciples received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.  That room also became
a special place of prayer for all of us.
Steve Ray told us that after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that Christmas and Holy Week will always be different.
I am convinced of that.

“Re-energize Parishioners with Life-changing Pilgrimage”

E-priest is the largest e-mail for priests across the country. In this e-letter they talk about energizing priests, parishes and young people.

Would you like to go on a pilgrimage for free? Consider organizing a pilgrimage with your parish or organization. Read Re-energize Parishioners with Life-Changing Pilgrimage, then contact Steve Ray. Let us do all the work for you!

You’ve come to the right place. The Pope has announced a special showing of the Shroud in Turin Italy in the spring of 2010. And we will be there! The Shroud is only reveal every twenty-five years of so — this this is VERY special!

But not only will we take our pilgrimage group to see the Shroud in Turin but we will do a lot more! We will visit Lanciano — one of the most stunning Eucharistic Miracles. You can see it up close and see the scientific documentation.

Then we will visit Assisi for a day and a night. Then on to see the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotundo.

After all of that we will arrive in Rome for the General Audience with Pope Benedict. We will then visit all the Patriarchal Churches, tour St. Peters, do lots of shopping. You can’t go to Rome without visiting the Catacombs, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and so much more.

Janet and I will be the guides for this exciting new pilgrimage coming in May 11-23, 2010!

Click here to view the complete details of the pilgrimage.