Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

 

2019 PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINES OF ITALY
Dear Parishioners and Friends, I wish to invite you on a spiritually edifying pilgrimage to Italy next year, September 16-27, 2019. Italy’s timeless art and architecture, history and symbols representing two thousand years of Christian faith have fascinated travelers and attracted pilgrims for centuries. Our pilgrimage begins in Rome, the Eternal City, an artistic and historical gift to the world. We’ll visit Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and much more. See Michelangelo’s original frescoes in the Sistine Chapel including the famous Last Judgment and the Creation of Man. Take an excursion to Castel Gandolfo, summer residence of the Pope.Please click here to read more

2019 PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINES OF ITALY
 
Dear Family, Friends and Parishioners,
 
I wish to invite you on a spiritually edifying pilgrimage to Italy!  Italy’s timeless art and architecture, history and symbols representing two thousand years of Christian faith have fascinated travelers and attracted pilgrims for centuries.
 
Our pilgrimage begins in Rome, the Eternal City, an artistic and historical gift to the world.  We’ll visit Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and much more.  See Michelangelo’s original frescoes in the Sistine Chapel including the famous Last Judgment and the Creation of Man.  Take an excursion to Castel Gandolfo, summer residence of the Pope.
 
Our pilgrimage will take us to the following holy places:  Montecassino, site of the first monastery established by St. Benedict, father of western monasticism.  San Giovanni Rotondo, home of St. Padre Pio until his death in 1968.  Monte Sant’Angelo, where St. Michael the Archangel appeared in 490, 492 and 1656, and consecrated the shrine himself.  Lanciano, site of an 8th century Eucharistic Miracle still preserved today.  Manoppello, to venerate the true image of Christ imprinted into a cloth believed to be St. Veronica’s veil.  Loreto, to pray in the Holy House of the Virgin Mary transported by Angels from Nazareth.  Tolentino, to visit the shrine of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, patron of Holy Souls.  Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare.  Orvieto, which hosts a corporal stained with the Precious Blood of Christ.  This 13th century Eucharistic Miracle inspired Pope Urban IV to declare the Feast of Corpus Christi and St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the beautiful Eucharistic hymns we still sing today.  Florence, home to Michelangelo’s David and the finest collection of Renaissance art in the world.  Padua, the famous resting place of St. Anthony of Padua.  We’ll end our pilgrimage in Venice, the city of waterways, gondolas and picturesque bridges where we will visit the Basilica of St. Mark with its magnificent mosaics expressing the story of faith.
 
Come share in this time of prayerful reflection.  Our pilgrimage will be a joyful experience designed to highlight the richness of our Catholic faith, help us appreciate its historical past, learn from the lives of the Saints, and admire the sacred art and marvelous architecture inspired by our Church.
 
Please look over the brochure (click here) and you will see that this 12 day pilgrimage will be a lifelong dream come true.  Act quickly!  Simply complete the reservation form and forward your deposit to secure your place on this exciting journey.  Sincerely yours
 
In Our Lord and Our Lady,
 
 
Fr. Rommel P. Tolentino

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