Endorsements

John and I just finished watching the DVD of my pilgrimage with you in January. A priest friend was here for dinner and watched it with us. He has been to the Holy Land on several occasions. We were ALL impressed with the wonderful keepsake DVD. It is just so well done.! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! — Mary Ann Kuharski, Prolife Across America

Jim and I chose the Legatus pilgrimage to the Holy Land precisely because Steve Ray was leading it. He exceeded our expectations in his comprehensive knowledge of the Scriptures and especially in his love for the traditions of the early Church. Steve not only teaches with great passion and insight, but his love for the truths of the faith was palpable. Steve and Janet made sure that we saw as much as possible of the holy sites where Jesus and Mary lived and walked, and made their presence alive for us. We were privileged to have Mass every day at one of the holy sites. We also made the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, an emotional experience, despite the hustle and bustle of the city.

We are still sharing our memories and blessings with our family and friends. We already have friends who are ready to take the next trip with Steve and Janet, based upon our recommendations. It was a five-star experience in every way! — Jim & Cathy McConn, Legatus members

Our trip to the Holy Land was great; the experience walking in the foot steps of our Lord will never be forgotten. We can’t say enough about our learning experience. Steve and Janet did a great job presenting the experience to us; their knowledge of the Holy Land is unbelievable. I can’t say enough about the job they have done. When Steve says it is safe to visit the Holy Land; I would not hesitate. — Kenny & Kate Wood, Legatus members

Louise & I would just like to thank you again for an unforgettable Pilgrimage. The planning and professionalism was first rate including not only your apologetics, but the local flair added by Amer, the daily masses conducted by Father Gerald and the logistical support by the Legatus Team.

It’s no secret that we had our concerns about security before the trip but we are so glad that we forged ahead and I must say that we never felt a moments anxiety, quite the opposite. A cloud by day and a pilar of fire by night, we were enshrouded in safety and His Love every step of the way. I’m looking forward to returning on future trips. Thanks Again and God Bless. — Patrick and Louise Rainey, Legatus members

If you want to visit the Holy Land as part of a packaged tour, be sure to check out the trips offered by author Stephen Ray. His “Footprints of God” series is highly informative and the off-beat way he presents the information will give you a good laugh or two along the way. (Trying to demonstrate how Jesus rubbed mud on a blind man’s eyes to cure him, Ray reenacts the scene by using chocolate syrup as a substitute. While this may be considered silly, Ray does in fact have great respect for the subject matter.)

I watched one of his videos before going to Jerusalem and it was very helpful as it not only pointed out the historical places, it put them in their proper Biblical context.

Ironically, I bumped into Ray and his wife Janet as they led a tour group through the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. As I talked to him, a few people went out of their way to recommend Ray and his tours. Stephen and Janet are very personable and will offer invaluable guidance to your trip. They offer several trips each year to Israel, Turkey, Italy and other places of historical significance. — Michael Duffin, The Virtual Tourist, Chicago

We got your pilgrimage highlights video today and it is OUTSTANDING! Thank you so much for capturing the essence of our pilgrimage and doing so with such professional production. The combination of video and stills mixed very well with the music that was so tastefully and appropriately developed. You two are most definitely pros and we appreciate all of the caring that went into every aspect of our tour. May God continue to bless you and your work. — Debi and John Crotty

Steve, Janet and Amer collaborated with us to provide an outstanding pilgrimage. Our group was able to visit all of the major religious sites and each day celebrate Mass at one of the significant locations connected with the life of Jesus. Their enthusiasm allowed our group to enjoy the Holy Land as pilgrims, not tourists. — Archbishop Alex Brunett of the Seattle Diocese

Having a chance to look through the images of our trip as I put them on shutterfly, I was reminded what a real blessing this pilgrimage was. A wonderful, spiritually awakening, & “Needed-To-Do” trip for me! The grace, joy & life purpose simply presented itself before me as I opened my heart at each of these genuinely Holy locations in Israel.

We do need to encourage faith formation & pilgrimage events to everyone in our faithful Catholic community. I will certainly be doing that for the next several months as I share these photos (and experience) with family & friends. I can’t Thank You and Janet enough for sharing the Truth (and your lives) with us on this pilgrimage, and with so many more on your journey.
And I really enjoyed the morning run, as well as the afternoon run, with you & our group of crazy runners!!! — John Yochum

Your logistics were impeccable. It’s very obvious this was “not your first rodeo” as we say in the building trades. I loved the pilgrimage…as I was reflecting on the trip I asked myself the question, “So if you wished for more time, what exactly would you cut out to get that time”? When the answer was nothing at all… Take it all in as you go, look back over the video and photos, and unpack the experience for the rest of your life, easy peesy. — Anne Sternquist

I cannot thank you enough for all you did to make our dream of this pilgrimage a real success. Our prayers really were answered with this very special group of people. Who would have thought we could be so honored with the presence of an Arch Bishop that could add so much to the enjoyment of the trip!!

Our video came last Friday, and I must tell you that Cheryl and I while watching had tears in our eyes with a longing to return. It is so amazing to visit the sites again for second time, and to have it be just as special, and in many ways, even better than the first visit. I must tell you that Jesse did a phenomenal and awesome job with the video. — Jim and Cheryl Olszewski

Hey Stacy…thank you so much for being our bus leader, organizer, and medic! By the time we got to Rome, I really was not feeling well. But your medicines helped me so much and kept me from missing any of the wonderful places we visited. Also, it was great to get to know you on the plane ride over and to hear you tremendous conversion story. I really enjoyed that, and think you should record your story to give witness to others contemplating Catholicism.

Thanks again for making us so comfortable and for being our escort! — Mike & Susan Sweeney, http://www.footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com/pilgrimages/shroud-of-turin-pilgrimage-may-11-20-2010/turin-2010-correspondance/

What a fabulous set of pilgrims and guides and hosts. Steve and Janet Ray took our welfare so personally to make sure we each had the best possible experience. Teresa Tomeo was a remarkable addition to the tour and I’m sure we are all grateful to her and to her daily work on Ave Maria Radio and in the world community. Personally, Sabina and I, have a new Italian sister. I suggest Teresa add a weekly segment to her radio show……how about “Liz Lev Live” to share the knowledge of a catholic art expert who was indeed spectacular in sharing her seemingly unlimited knowledge with us. And Father Courtney, what a blessing to have him with us to shepherd the flock, teach us how to live and say the daily mass. — Mark Karwan, http://www.footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com/pilgrimages/shroud-of-turin-pilgrimage-may-11-20-2010/

Made it home safe and sound, Steve and Janet. Thank you for making the Holy Land Pilgrimage so special. I am so happy that I took the leap of faith. Will be looking for future trips to take. In 10 days, I grew more in my Catholic faith than I have in many years. God Bless You and Yours! — Virginia Hagan

To go on pilgrimage is not simply to visit a place to admire its treasures of nature, art or history. To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendor and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe. Above all, Christians go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to the places associated with the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. — Benedict XVI

It is very, very safe! I’m certainly coming again. — Fr. Tom DeSimone

You need to come with Steve & Janet Ray. This has been an absolutely incredible experience. I highly recommend it. — Diane Hanson, Ignatius Press

This was a terrific pilgrimage. Come to the Holy Land, and come with Steve & Janet Ray!! — Mark Brumley, President, Ignatius Press

I have been on 5 Holy Land pilgrimages, [Steve] does a lot of things that no one else does. — Roy Schoeman

Our priest has scheduled a March, 2011 tour of the Holy Land and Egypt with [another travel company affiliated with YTB]. Great price, until you get to the “additional fees.” After having been with you and Janet, I really am appreciative of the services you provided, which were INCLUDED IN THE COST. — Joyce (Footprints of Paul Pilgrim 11-2010)

Just a quick note to tell you how much we enjoyed the DVD that you put together of our pilgrimage to the Holy Land in February. It really helps keep the memories alive for us! … I know that I have experienced the scripture readings this Lent in a whole new way. I close my eyes as I listen and am transported back to those holy places. Thank you again for helping to make our pilgrimage an experience of a lifetime. — Valerie (Holy Land Feb. 2011)

I still can’t get over how wonderful and amazing our pilgrimage was and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it so special and educational. It certainly was a “once in a lifetime experience” which I will never forget. — Karen Rodonis

The food was fantastic everywhere we went. The organization of each little detail was evident every day —and on all levels–the video for family to follow at home, the rosaries to touch and say in all the holy places, the prepared booklet with bible verses and descriptions of the site (so that we could reference our trip while there and after our return home), our keepsake video of our own trip… Full Letter — Kathy Davis, April 2011 Holy Land, http://www.footprintsofgodpilgrimages.com/wp-content/uploads/Dear-Steve-and-Janet.pdf

Just a few comments on the Rome pilgrimage and the experience. As usual, the overall experience was outstanding. Good people, good times, blessed experiences, arrange by a great travel agency and led by the premier faith sharing couple has to end up great. One of the very special things about your pilgrimages is spending time with people who think alike. I don’t know how you would work that into your marketing materials but it is very real and not an accident. Perhaps it is because of your reputation…Anyway, I enjoyed it very much. Keep up the good work. Your energy is contagious. God granting no major problems, I will be with you [again] in the Holy Land. — Thomas Govern

After all this time seeing the land and places where the Lord walked was a life-changing moment and I’ll never be the same. Moreover, as I looked around during our ten days, I can’t imagine a better way to have experienced it for the first time than with your guidance. If anyone ever expresses interest to me in visiting these places at the roots of our faith, without a doubt I will direct them your way. — Lee Marsh

Many thanks for the lovely videos [of the pilgrimage]. I love watching it over and over. I’m having two video parties after Easter for my family and neighbors. Everybody loves to see and hear about my February trip [to Israel]. — Ann Foster

It would not be possible to have a better experience in the Holy Land. I would recommend NOT going with anyone else…I would love to bring some of my friends and parish. — Scott Watson

There are not words to describe the whole experience. I am very grateful to have had the experience. I learned more than in all my years in Catechism. — Karen Massaro-Mundt

Steve, Janet, and Amer were wonderful. Consistently cheerful, inspiring, and helpful. The trip was beautifully planned and thus fulfilling and rewarding. — Lisa Larson

Really though that Steve did an outstanding job! Despite all the trips he has made, he still exhibits great joy and excitement in his delivery and sharing. I liked how he drew the parallels between the old and new testaments. The make-up of the whole pilgrimage had a very strong, spiritual base-daily Mass, saying the Rosary mysteries at the Holy Sites, a good spiritual director, etc… That was very important for me. Lastly and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, was that I did not have to wonder or worry as to whether what I was being told and taught was in full accordance with the Catholic Faith. I knew I could put my trust in Steve that what he said, or was allowing others to say, was the full TRUTH. — Len Oswald

I had been praying and hoping to go on this trip since I heard Teresa talking about it in March of 2007, and I’ve heard Steve on her show and gone to a couple of his talks seen him on EWTN, etc. I lost my full time job this past September and have only been working part time since then. However, I really felt called to make this pilgrimage now, so I just kept praying and planning to go and the Lord worked everything out. So, thank you very much for a once in a lifetime experience. — Pilgrim

Your knowledge and experience, and deep faith has really made this a trip of a lifetime. It was from viewing your videos that I really decided that I would like to visit the Holy Land. But believe me watching them as much as I liked them can not compare to being here. Thank you for all you do to educate, inspire, and bring us pilgrims closer to Jesus. — Mary Fogarty

Steve and Janet put together an outstanding pilgrimage and tour and the execution of it was virtually flawless. But by far the most significant aspect was the way all the site visits, sequence of events, narration, etc was so “woven” together that it made history come alive and my spiritual appreciation so much stronger. And as an added bonus. There was even enough time to be an “occasional tourist” and enjoy the local food and culture. — Phil Howard

As I am sitting here tonight words could never explain how I feel/my conversion 1991 was so wonderful this trip just increased my love for my Lord and the Church even more. I want to tell more people about our Lord/Church. — Linda Garrett

You both did a great job. Everything was organized perfectly. Dee, Essam, and Amer did a great job. It was so nice to have all Catholic guides. I really appreciated all Steves talks about the primacy of St. Peter and the Holy Eucharist. — Jan Howard

Steve’s knowledge of the Bible of the Catholic faith opened up a treasure chest of knowledge that left we wanting to know more I cannot imagine going with anyone else! They both took great care of each and ever pilgrim with genuine patience and care. Dee (our group escort) was equally as helpful and kind. This experience has been one of the most special of my life and I am so very thankful to Steve and Janet for their role in this. I was very impressed at the kind and accommodating way that Steve, Janet, and Dee took consideration of my 79 year old mother. — Toya Hall

This was great trip! I’ve traveled with groups many times, this was the best planned. Thank You for not allowing this to turn into an endless shopping spree as is common in many groups. Amer (local catholic guide) and Assam (driver) Rock! — Catherine Liberatore

I feel like I have finally been given a map of the Scriptures. It’s better than any map because I’ve walked it and touched it and smelled it and tasted. The bible has been so mysterious and difficult to understand to me (and therefore dull) for so many years and I finally feel like the scales have fallen off my eyes. I get it. I can’t wait to learn more and to come back again. — Pilgrim

This was a dream come true that I will always be thankful for. Everything was perfect and well worth the money. — John Fader

I am still living the footsteps we took on our pilgrimage and I can’t tell you how very special the entire experience was for me. My eyes were truly opened and my heart filled with the love of Jesus. As I reflect on our trip, I think of how much each of you filled my heart with love and joy and how truly you became my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray for you always and hope that our paths will cross again. — Paula Morrow

I just finished watching the DVD of our pilgrimage and it brought back so many wonderful memories. I would like to thank all of you for making it such an enjoyable, memorable, and spiritually moving trip. Many people on the DVD said “It’s a once in a lifetime experience” while that may be true, I’m praying it’s not. — Mike Gaskin

A day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t thought about the Pilgrimage and the impact it has had on us. When the Transfiguration was the Gospel reading for a recent Sunday Mass, I could picture Mt. Tabor in my mind and I relived our group’s experience there. Scripture comes alive now. The DVD of our Pilgrimage just arrived in the mail. We can’t wait to view it! I’m getting Godbumps just thinking about it! — Tony Utter, CCIM, JD

We cannot thank you enough for the incredible experience we had on your trip…your guidance through our Holy Land/spiritual journey was life changing beyond our expectations and beyond our ability to even verbalize… Our wedding [in Cana] was amazing and grace filled, again thank you so much. Janet, thank you for being so kind as I prepared for the ceremony, your encouragement and words were truly another blessing. — Jill & Rusty Johnson, email

…not only was this trip the miracle of my life, but I am planning to go with you again… — Carol, October 2011 Holy Land Pilgrimage