Faith Journeys

11/11/2024

Today, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Thank you for your sacrifice and dedication.

11/08/2024

Embark on a spiritual journey through Greece! ✨

Discover the rich religious heritage of this ancient land. From iconic temples to serene monasteries, experience the profound connection between faith and history.

Join us on a guided tour to explore sacred sites, learn about religious traditions, and witness breathtaking landscapes.

11/05/2024

Pilgrimage Travel in 2025 - It’s Not Too Late

It's great to hear that there are still opportunities to plan and lead a group pilgrimage in 2025, even though the new year is quickly approaching. Spiritual group travel can be a meaningful and enriching experience for your community. Here are a few points to consider if you're thinking about organizing such a pilgrimage:

1. Destination Selection: Decide on the destination for your pilgrimage. It could be a place of religious significance, historical importance, or cultural relevance. We will make sure it aligns with the spiritual goals of your group.

2. Itinerary Planning: We will help you plan a detailed itinerary that includes not only the sites you'll visit, but time for reflection, prayer, and worship for your group

3. Promotion: Faith Journeys will assist in promoting the pilgrimage within your community through various channels, such as social media, church gatherings, or community meetings.

4. Counsel and Support: We will help you to be prepared to be a spiritual support to participants throughout the pilgrimage. Your group’s guide will tend to all other aspects for the group, leaving you free to focus on teaching, preaching and pastoral support.

Remember that a spiritual group pilgrimage can be a transformative experience, fostering a sense of community and deepening one's faith. Emphasize the spiritual significance of the journey and encourage participants to reflect on their personal experiences and connections with their faith. "Where will you follow Jesus today?" can serve as a guiding question for the participants as they embark on a meaningful pilgrimage journey in 2025.

11/02/2024

All Souls' Day, observed on November 2nd, is a day to remember and pray for the departed. In many Christian traditions, it's believed to help souls in purgatory. Catholics often visit cemeteries, light candles, and pray. Others may simply reflect on the lives of loved ones and offer acts of kindness in their memory.

11/01/2024

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The lives of the Saints can feel as if they are so far removed from our lives today. Sometimes, we want to “walk in their footsteps” and try to model our lives after theirs. But how do we find a connection to people that may have lived thousands of years ago or half-way across the world?

Faith Journeys offers the opportunity for you and your community of faith to connect with the saints of old and our Christian heritage. By traveling to the actual sites where these saints lived and did the work of Christ, you may find a greater understanding of, not only their relationship with God, but yours, as well.

You could lead a group to learn about St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena in Italy, the Apostle Paul and his travels in Greece and Turkey, walk the way of St James, along the El Camino, in Spain, or explore the lives of St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Columba in Ireland and Scotland. The choice is yours and there is no end to the possibilities available for these types of spiritual pilgrimages.

If you would like to learn more about spiritual pilgrimage travel, please contact Faith Journeys. We are here to serve you and your faith community.

Faith Journeys wishes everyone a blessed All Saints and joins with you in remembering those saints who paved the way for us, through their steadfast faith and perseverance.

11/01/2024

Día de los Mu***os in Mexico City is a vibrant and unforgettable experience. Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, It shares dates with All saints and All Souls Day.

Both traditions share the common theme of honoring and remembering the deceased, However, there are distinct cultural differences between the two. Día de los Mu***os has deep roots in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, while All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are Christian traditions and Día de los Mu***os is a vibrant celebration filled with color, music, food, and festivities. All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day are more solemn and often involve religious ceremonies and prayer.

In essence, while Día de los Mu***os and All Saints' Day/All Souls' Day have different cultural origins and practices, they share the common goal of honoring and remembering the deceased. The blending of these traditions over time has created a unique and meaningful celebration that continues to evolve.

If you would like to take your community on a spiritual tour of Mexico City and explore their sanctuaries and archaeological sites, contact our team at Faith Journeys.

10/31/2024

Wittenberg, Germany
October 31, 1517
95 Theses Could Spark Major Changes in the Church

A local priest and professor of moral theology at the University of Wittenberg has taken a bold step in his protest of the Catholic Church and what he sees as “the abuses of the clergy”. Earlier this evening, a paper containing 95 theses was nailed to the door of All Saints’ Church by Martin Luther, causing quite a stir within both the people and clergy of the area.

Although there are many points outlined in the document, the selling of plenary indulgence seems to be one of the flashpoints of Luther’s agenda. The business of these “get out of purgatory” contracts have become big business and a major source of income for many churches, priest and the Pope, himself.
Luther believed, “An indulgence will not save a man,” and “A dead soul cannot be saved by an indulgence.” He goes on to say, “It is nonsense to teach that a dead soul in Purgatory can be saved by money.” It is unknown if this new movement will gain any traction within the church. We will all have to keep a close eye on these protests and their so called “protestant” views.

In the 500+ years since the posting of Luther’s 95 theses, the world and religion has gone through some dramatic changes. That small act of defiance, by writing and posting his deeply convicted thoughts about the church started a movement that would spread to spread in Switzerland through Zwingli, to Geneva through John Calvin, to Scotland through John Knox and to England through Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Luther’s legacy draws scholars and pilgrims to Germany every year. On a Protestant Reformation Pilgrimage, you and your follow travels can visit the church in Wittenberg, where Luther posted the 95 theses. You can visit his birthplace in Eisleben or sit in the room in Wartburg Castle where he translated the New Testament into German, opening the study of Holy Scripture to anyone that could read.

Faith Journeys offers several itinerary options or will work with you to create a custom itinerary. There is still time to plan for travel for the fall of 2025. And it’s a great time to start envisioning a pilgrimage for 2026, or beyond!

10/29/2024

Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, is a small tidal island off the northeastern coast of England with deep spiritual significance, particularly for pilgrims interested in early Christianity and Celtic spirituality. Here are several reasons why a pilgrim would want to visit Holy Island:

Holy Island is one of the most important early centers of Christianity in Britain. In AD 635, St. Aidan founded a monastery on Lindisfarne, and from here, the message of Christianity spread throughout the North of England. St. Cuthbert, one of the most beloved saints of the British Isles, also lived and ministered on Lindisfarne, and his legacy of holiness, humility, and healing has made it a sacred site for centuries.

Holy Island is a place of deep peace and contemplation, ideal for pilgrims seeking quiet and solitude. The tidal nature of the island, which is only accessible at low tide, creates an atmosphere of seclusion and retreat. Once the tide comes in, the island is cut off from the mainland, allowing visitors to experience the stillness and isolation that monks once sought. This separation from the world offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and pray in an undistracted environment.

Holy Island is often considered a “thin place”—a location where the boundary between heaven and earth feels especially thin. For centuries, pilgrims have felt a unique spiritual presence on Lindisfarne, finding it easier to connect with God and experience a sense of peace and transcendence. The island’s combination of sacred history and natural beauty contributes to its reputation as a place of divine encounter and spiritual renewal.

For many pilgrims, a visit to Holy Island offers a time of personal and spiritual renewal. The island’s tranquility, historical depth, and connection to early Christian saints provide an opportunity to step away from the pressures of modern life, engage in prayer, and seek a closer relationship with God. The act of making the journey, especially timed with the tides, becomes a metaphor for spiritual pilgrimage—leaving behind the familiar to discover deeper truths.

No pilgrimage to Northern England would be complete without of visit to Holy Island. It is a unique and powerful location for pilgrims from around the world. If you’d like to plan a pilgrimage to visit Holy Island or any of the other sites mentioned in this series of Peaceful Places, contact Faith Journeys at 877-732-4845 or email: [email protected]

10/22/2024

Assisi, Italy, is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world, especially for those who follow the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. Here’s why it is such a meaningful stop for pilgrims:

Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, one of the most beloved and influential saints in Christian history. St. Francis is known for his radical commitment to poverty, simplicity, and his deep love for all of God’s creation. Pilgrims come to Assisi to connect with his spirit, to learn from his life, and to seek inspiration for their own spiritual journeys. His humility, devotion to peace, and care for the poor resonate deeply with many, making Assisi a place of profound spiritual renewal.

Assisi exudes a sense of peace and tranquility, which mirrors the teachings of St. Francis on simplicity and harmony. The quiet cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and serene views of the Umbrian countryside all contribute to the contemplative atmosphere. Pilgrims often find Assisi to be a peaceful retreat where they can reconnect with God and deepen their spiritual lives in the quiet beauty of the surroundings.

St. Francis is known as the patron saint of ecology, and Assisi reflects this with its close connection to the natural world. Pilgrims can visit Mount Subasio and the surrounding hills where St. Francis and his followers would pray and live in harmony with nature. Many come to Assisi to reflect on their relationship with the environment and to be inspired by St. Francis’ love for all creatures.

Assisi has been a destination for pilgrims since the Middle Ages. The life of St. Francis speaks to people of all walks of life—those seeking simplicity, those wanting a deeper relationship with nature, and those committed to peace and humility. For many, a pilgrimage to Assisi is a transformative experience, offering a chance to reflect on their own lives and spiritual journeys in the light of St. Francis’ example.

If you’re planning a pilgrimage to Italy, don’t forget to make time to visit Assisi. The peace and beauty of the site may bring a deepening sense of spirituality to your journey.

10/18/2024

Today is the feast day of St. Luke, evangelist, physician, and patron of artists. He was the author of the third gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles. According to legend, he was born in Antioch and was a Gentile. Many of the parables and verses he wrote were very sensitive to the Gentiles, including the well know story of the Good Samaritan.

One particularly interesting thing happens in Luke’s gospel that isn’t found in the others. The first 16 chapters are written in the third person. (It is like he is recounting stories he has been told by others.) Then, it suddenly passed to the first person. It is this retelling of what he had heard that gives us such stories of the angel’s visitation at the annunciation, Mary’s song, the Magnificat, when she visits her cousin Elizabeth, and the story of Jesus presentation at the Temple.

Although the details of Luke’s death aren’t certain, it is believed that he died at the age of 84, in Boeotia (a region of Greece). Relics of his body can be found in Padua and Thebes, and his skull is preserved in The Cathedral of St. Vitus, in Prague.

If you would like to follow in the footsteps of St. Luke in Greece, Italy, or Israel contact Faith Journeys. We’ll help you build an itinerary that will be spiritual, meaningful, and bring you a better understanding of the lives of the saints.

10/18/2024

10/17/2024

An hour south of Dublin is the amazingly peaceful site of St. Kevin’s Monastery. It is located in the Wicklow Mountains, in an area called Glendalough. It is considered by many to be a “Thin Place” or a site where the veil between heaven and earth is so thin, the soul has trouble determining which side you are on.

Glendalough is home to the monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. St. Kevin, an Irish hermit and mystic, chose the remote valley of Glendalough to live a life of solitude and prayer. Over time, his reputation for holiness attracted followers, leading to the establishment of a thriving monastic community. Pilgrims visit Glendalough to follow in St. Kevin’s footsteps, seeking a connection with his spiritual legacy of contemplation and simplicity.

For centuries, Glendalough has been a destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal. The site’s rich history of Christian worship, combined with its atmosphere of peace, makes it an ideal place for personal reflection, prayer, and a deeper connection to the divine. The ancient pilgrimage routes, such as the St. Kevin’s Way, invite modern pilgrims to retrace the steps of those who sought out Glendalough for centuries.

One of Glendalough’s defining characteristics is its ability to offer pilgrims a retreat from the busyness of everyday life. The surrounding mountains, forests, and lakes create a sense of seclusion, making it an ideal place for solitude and meditation. Pilgrims often come to Glendalough to experience this peaceful environment, allowing them to reflect on their spiritual journeys in a calm and serene setting.
Glendalough has long been associated with healing and spiritual renewal. Many pilgrims come here seeking comfort, healing, or inspiration. The combination of sacred history, natural beauty, and the presence of ancient monastic sites creates an environment that fosters inner healing and rejuvenation of the soul.

Ireland is a wonderful place for a pilgrimage. It allows groups to dive deeply into spirituality and how we are all connected. If you would like to plan a pilgrimage to visit Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, please contact Faith Journeys, today.

10/16/2024

Tonight, at sundown, begins the Jewish festival of Sukkot (often called the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles). This seven day Jewish festival is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as the shalosh regalim (in which the Hebrew people are commanded to perform a pilgrimage to the Temple).

Sukkot is a mixture of religious and agricultural festival that originally was considered a thanksgiving for the fruit harvest. The hut-like structures that are constructed for use during the festival are a remembrance the structures the Hebrews lived in during their 40 years of travel through the wilderness, after being freed from Egypt. These dwellings, called “sukkah”, also represents the fragility of our earthly existence, and therefore Sukkot is a time to appreciate the shelter of our homes and our bodies.

Sukkot is celebrated by building a sukkah in which the family are required to eat and sleep in for seven days in Israel. The first day of the festival is considered a holy day in which most forms of work are forbidden. The people will also gather and utilize four items, based on four plants mentioned in the Bible (a citron, palm fronds, and leaves from both the myrtle and willow trees).

These items should be held together and waved during the holiday, just as they were at the original Temple in Jerusalem.

Although some Christian denominations observe Sukkot, it is not common. There is, however, a general connection between the building of these shelters (or tabernacles) and the Feast of the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ disciples offer to build three dwellings for him, Elijah and Moses. Other academic view see the Festival of Sukkot as being a precursor to our modern Thanksgiving celebration. In any sense, Sukkot is a pre-messianic celebration of God’s dwelling with his people, which we, as Christians experience, in its fullness, through the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For more information about leading a group to visit Israel or any other Christian site around the world, please contact Faith Journeys. We are here to guide and advise you through the planning of your group’s spiritual travel.

10/11/2024

Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is considered the holiest day for the Jewish people. It marks the completion of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, on Yom Kippur, God decides each person’s fate for the coming year. During the day, Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins they’ve committed over the past year. The day is marked by fasting, refraining from work, confession, and intensive prayer.

10/08/2024

A visit to the Meteora Monasteries in Greece is a unique blend of spiritual and natural wonders. Meteora, meaning "suspended in the air," lives up to its name with monasteries perched atop towering rock formations. Founded in the 14th century, these monasteries served as a place of isolation and devotion for monks. Visitors can experience the tranquility, witness the monks' dedication, and even participate in religious services.

The beauty goes beyond the spiritual. The monasteries themselves are marvels of human achievement, clinging seemingly impossibly to the cliffsides. Each monastery boasts intricate frescoes and chapels, offering a glimpse into the region's rich history. The surrounding landscape is equally stunning, with towering sandstone cliffs creating a majestic and peaceful backdrop. Visitors can hike the trails for panoramic views, making Meteora a place of deep reflection and wonder.

If you’re planning a pilgrimage to Greece and would like to make Meteora one of your stops, please contact Faith Journeys at 877-732-4845 or email [email protected]. We’ll help you from planning to travel and walk with you every step of the way.

10/07/2024

Naples and Pompeii offer a fascinating glimpse into the religious past of ancient Italy. As Greek colonies, they were deeply influenced by Greek mythology. Under Roman rule, the polytheistic system of the Romans was adopted. The rise of Christianity later introduced a new faith to the region. Preserved remains of temples, shrines, and catacombs provide invaluable insights into the beliefs and practices of the people who once inhabited these ancient cities.

10/04/2024

Today, we celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Due to his close association with animals and especially pets, many communities will be hosting a “blessing of the animals” this weekend.
Here at Faith Journeys, we love our furry (and sometimes not furry at all) friends and would love to share a little of what brings joy to us…our pets!

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless these and all pets. By the power of your love, enable these beloved creature to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

If you’d like to learn more about Faith Journeys and faith-based group travel, please contact our office at 877-732-4845 ext. 208, or email [email protected].

10/03/2024

With all the business in our world and the stress of upcoming elections, global conflicts, and catastrophic weather events, it's essential to take moments to reconnect with places of peace and spiritual renewal.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring “Peaceful Places” from around the world that you may want to include on your next pilgrimage. These are sites of deep spiritual meaning and of comfort to pilgrims from around the globe. Today’s “Peaceful Place” is the island of Iona:

Iona, a small island off the western coast of Scotland, is renowned for its profound spiritual significance, especially in the Christian tradition. It's often called a "thin place" where the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds feels particularly delicate.

Iona is most famous for its historic abbey, which has been a destination for pilgrims since the 6th century when St. Columba arrived from Ireland and founded a monastery there. The abbey served as a powerful center for spreading Christianity throughout Scotland and Northern Europe. Despite various periods of hardship, including Viking invasions and the Reformation, Iona Abbey has been restored and remains a symbol of spiritual renewal.

Pilgrims to Iona often speak of a deep sense of peace and connection to the divine. The natural beauty of the island—its rugged shores, serene beaches, and quiet hills—adds to its reputation as a sanctuary for contemplation and prayer. The combination of stunning landscapes and rich history offers a place for spiritual reflection, healing, and transformation.

Today, visitors and pilgrims come to Iona not only for its Christian heritage but for its atmosphere of tranquility and the chance to engage in spiritual practices away from the distractions of the world. Whether you're walking the island's paths, participating in services at the abbey, or simply meditating by the sea, Iona provides a space for inner peace and communion with the divine.

If you’d like to visit Iona or any of the other ancient pilgrimage sites in Scotland, contact Faith Journeys at 877-732-4845, or email [email protected]. We’ll help you plan a pilgrimage that is deeply spiritual and meaningful.