Journeys Of Hope | A Pilgrim Center Of Hope Podcast

Join Mary Jane Fox and Nan Balfour, as they guide us on a different kind of journey. They are giving you a behind-the-scenes story of how Pilgrim Center of Hope has come to work on our biggest project yet! In fact, it has been over ten years in the making, a new journey with the Shroud of Turin, an ancient burial cloth that mysteriously has eluded scientists and experts for hundreds of years. In a groundbreaking, new streaming media series from Pilgrim Center of Hope; Who is the Man of the Shroud? will explore the facts from science, art, history, and more. During our journey, you will hear about: Who is the Man of the Shroud? Exhibit How is Pilgrim Center of Hope involved? Tips on how we can evangelize Click here to see behind-the-scenes photos of our upcoming Who is the Man of the Shroud? media series, as well as a map view of its location, and more! Jewel for the Journey: "The Holy Shroud of Turin represents an extraordinary witness of the Paschal Event: the Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Ch

This week, our journey takes us to The Big Apple! Come on a journey with our Media Production Assistant, Jason Nunez, as we spiritually travel to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This is not the St. Patrick’s Cathedral you may be thinking about. The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral is one of the most historic churches in the United States. During our journey, you will hear about: Learn about the history of The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral and the cemetery located on its grounds. Hear about the life of Bishop Joseph John Hughes. And what lies beneath this pilgrim destination? Click here to see photos of The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, as well as a map view of its location, and more! Jewel for the Journey: Here’s to a long life and a merry one. – St. Patrick We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Veronica Leal in honor of Deacon Dan McShane, who made this podcast episode possible. Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Take your Lenten journey to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem! Come along with Angela Sealana as she spiritually travels to a holy site many people have not heard of before; a chapel called Dominus Flevit, a Latin name meaning, “The Lord Wept.” Dominus Flevit is located halfway along the western slope of the Mount of Olives. During our journey, you will hear about: Why Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem Archeological & architectural history of this tear-shaped chapel Encouragement for us from this holy site Click here to see photos of Dominus Flevit, as well as a map view of its location, and more! Jewel for the Journey: Are we content with ourselves? Because we have organized everything and do not need new visits from the Lord? – Pope Francis We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Patricia Brown, who made this podcast episode possible. Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Come on a journey with Angela Sealana to El Salvador! Explore the San Salvador Cathedral and come to know more about St. Oscar Romero, the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador! To help guide us on our spiritual pilgrimage is Fr. Richard Samour, Pastor of St. Clare Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX. During our journey, you will hear about: What is the Cathedral of El Salvador like, and what is its place in world history? Why is the life of St. Oscar Romero so meaningful in world history, and why do people of many backgrounds revere him? What does St. Romero’s life teach us about living as believers in today’s world? Much more! Click here for additional resources mentioned in this episode! Jewel for the Journey: God’s best microphone is Christ, and Christ’s best microphone is the Church, and the Church is all of you. – St. Oscar Romero We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Patricia Brown, who made this podcast episode possible. Image of San Salvador Cathedral Credit: CarlosCT86 CC BY-SA 4-0 via Wikimedia

In this week’s spiritual pilgrimage, join Mary Jane Fox as she shines a light on St. Joseph! This is a different kind of journey, we get to know the chaste spouse of Mary the Mother of God, and the foster father of the Savior, Jesus Christ. This journey will introduce us to St. Joseph: As a man, we can embrace and hold as a companion & and a role model Discover his role as the Guardian of the Redeemer. Learn about the Three virtues of St. Joseph that can help us in our daily lives. Provide some spiritual exercises to help us in our knowledge of St. Joseph and his powerful intercession. Click here for additional resources mentioned in this episode! Jewel for the Journey: "There are many saints to whom God has given the power to assist us in the necessities of life, but the power given to St. Joseph is unlimited: It extends to all our needs, and all those who invoke him with confidence are sure to be heard." – St. Thomas Aquinas We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Patricia Brown, who made this pod

With Ash Wednesday, we begin the Lenten season. Come along with Mary Jane Fox through the Judean Desert, and learn about what it’s actually like to walk in the same place where Jesus experienced his temptation. During our journey, you will hear about: Why did Jesus go to the desert? How far would he have had to walk to get to there? How far was it to the nearest town? What might have Jesus experienced during his time in the Judean Desert? (Climate, storms, isolation, hunger, etc.) How we apply what we’ve learned on this audio pilgrimage to enter into a desert experience during this Season of Lent? Click here to see photos of the Judean Desert, as well as a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey: The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross. – St. Anthony of the Desert We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Patricia Brown, who made t

Pray the Gospel prayer of the Rosary, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries of Christ's Passion and Death. See photos of the actual holy sites where they occurred in Jerusalem. This Holy Land Rosary is based on the book "Holy Land Rosary" by Deacon Tom Fox, CKHS, co-founder of Pilgrim Center of Hope. Pilgrim Center of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Catholic evangelization ministry guiding people to encounter Christ so as to live in hope; through pilgrimages, conferences, and media. https://pilgrimcenterofhope.org

It’s time to add another stamp to your spiritual passport! Come along with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, Ester Scoditti (licensed professional guide in Rome) to St. Peter’s Basilica! This holy site is the most iconic landmark for pilgrims visiting Rome. During our journey, you will hear about: Why is it called “St. Peter’s”? St. Peter’s Tomb Chapel, Pieta, John Paul II’s tomb, Main Altar Area. What can pilgrims experience here? 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of hope.” Much More! Click here for Vatican News about Jubilee Year 2025. Click here to see photos of the St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey: Hope to the end! (1 Peter 1:13) We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Kathleen O’Shea, who made this podcast episode possible. Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Come on a journey with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, Debbie Garza, Ministry of Pilgrimage Group Leader for Pilgrim Center of Hope to the Basilica of Santa Croce (or Basilica of the Holy Cross) in Florence, Italy! This pilgrim destination has many connections to a multitude of famous artists, is the largest Franciscan church in the world, and is the final resting place of Michelangelo. During our journey, you will discover: The church that is called the Temple of Italian Glories, its history and some of its many famous works of art. What was the faith of the Renaissance artists like? How can sacred art greatly impact our daily spiritual journey? Visio Divina – a brief guide in contemplating art and more! Click here to see photos of the Basilica of Santa Croce, as well as a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey: Painters, sculptors, and musicians, … photographers and poets, artists of every discipline, are called to shine beauty, especially where darkness or gray dominates everyday life. They are th

Join Angela Sealana as she embarks on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage, to the beautiful & highly symbolic Our Mother of Africa Chapel, which is located in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. Along our journey, meet an African-born saint, St. Josephine Bakhita! During our journey, you will hear about: Traditions and cultures of Africa that are part of our faith tradition. Learn how all of us find healing and hope today Reflect on the life of St. JosephineBakhita, a remarkable woman who can teach us lessons for daily life in perseverance, faith, hope, and radical forgiveness. Much more! Click here to access a link to a Virtual Tour of the Our Mother of Africa Chapel, courtesy of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception official website, and see a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey The whole of my life has been God’s gift. – St. Josephine Bakhita We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Kathleen O’Shea, who made this podcast episo

This week’s spiritual pilgrimage takes us to the Sea of Galilee! Come along with Mary Jane Fox and her guest, licensed guide Samir Smier, as they dive into the richness of this sacred pilgrim destination. During our journey, you will hear about: Why is it called the Sea when it looks like a large lake? What can pilgrims experience here? Why was Galilee so important to Jesus? Much More! Click here to see photos of the Sea of Galilee, a bonus video of Samir Smier speaking about the PCH Pilgrim experience, as well as a map view of the Sea of Galilee location! If your parish church or group would like us to organize a pilgrimage for you, please contact us at 210-521-3377 or send us an email at ministry@pilgrimcenterofhope.org Jewel for the Journey: Wherever the sacred Host is, there is the living God. There is your Savior as truly as when he lived and spoke in Judea, and Galilee, and as truly as he is now in paradise. – St. Charles DeFoucauld We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, Kathleen O’Shea, who mad

We will dive into the life & spirituality of perhaps one of the most influential saints in modern times, as we take an audio pilgrimage with St. John Bosco to the Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians in Turin, Italy. Come along with host Angela Sealana as we hear stories about Don Bosco, patron saint of magicians & youth, from guest Salesian Sister Guadalupe Medina, FMA. During our journey, you will hear about: St. John Bosco, patron saint of magicians, students & laborers  The Basilica he built in Turin, Italy Why the Virgin Mary is called “Help of Christians” How Don Bosco can give us hope & courage in daily life Photo of Basilica of Our Lady, Help of Christians courtesy of Franco56, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Click here to see photos of the Our Lady, Help of Christians, as well as a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey: Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven. – St. John Bosco We are so grateful to this month’s sponsors, Francisco & Sh

  Take the next step toward a healthier, happier life. During this special Journeys of Hope episode, your guides are Mary Jane Fox & certified health coach Patricia Brown, MBA, BSN, RN. During our journey, you will hear about: Discovering your Pillars of Wellness with GOD (Spiritual) as center Physical wellness: Movement, Nutrition, Sleep Social wellness: Interaction, Play, Stress management Much More! Click here for Patricia's contact information. Jewel for the Journey: “Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.” – St. Augustine We are so grateful to this month’s sponsors, Francisco & Sherry Beatty, who made this podcast episode possible. Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate  

Come on a journey with Mary Jane Fox to the sacred site of the Baptism of Jesus, the River Jordan! Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM, Co-Founder & Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries joins Mary Jane Fox on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage. Listen in, as they discuss the area marked at the River Jordan where John the Baptist was baptizing people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. During our journey, you will hear about: Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist What is the connection between John the Baptist & Jesus? Why is Baptism so important? Much More! Click here to see photos of the River Jordan, as well as a map view of this sacred site! Jewel for the Journey: “Every baptized person should consider that it is in the womb of the Church where he is transformed from a child of Adam to a child of God.” – St. Vincent Ferrer We are so grateful to this month’s sponsors, Francisco & Sherry Beatty, who made this podcast episode possible. For more information about Fr. Alex Kratz, Terra Sancta Mini

Join Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox, as they guide us through a pilgrimage to the Holy Land! This will be a different kind of journey compared to our past visits. We will be placing a particular focus on a man who with his extraordinary gifts and talent made a difference in the Holy Land, Antonio Barluzzi! An architect consecrated to God and committed his life in the mission of building several Churches at holy sites related to the life of Jesus Christ. During our journey, you will: Learn about the life of Antonio Barluzzi. Be introduced to 2 churches Antonio Barluzzi built. Hear excerpts from his diary. Much more! Click here to see photos of Antonio Barluzzi's work in the Holy Land, download a Guideline of Discerning God’s Will, and a map view of Basilica of Agony and the Garden of Gethsemani and The Church of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor! Jewel for the Journey: “All men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpie

Come along with Mary Jane Fox on this week’s spiritual pilgrimage to Milk Grotto, not far from the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem! According to Tradition, the Holy Family took refuge in this grotto on their way to Egypt as they were fleeing the Slaughter of the Innocents. Listen in, as Mary Jane shares why the Milk Grotto is a pilgrim destination, especially for new mothers and women who are trying to conceive. During our journey, you will hear about: Why is this place called the Milk Grotto? What is it like inside? Learn the prayer shared by the Franciscan Friars, to all who visit the Milk Grotto to pray for Mary’s help. Much more! Jewel for the Journey: Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

  This week’s spiritual pilgrimage takes us to the scene of the Nativity of Jesus Christ! Join Mary Jane Fox on a walk to the manger in Bethlehem in ancient Palestine. To that simple place where Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, and where she, the infant Jesus, and Joseph his foster father stayed a while after his birth. During our journey, you will hear about: What is the weather and terrain like in Bethlehem during the time of the birth of Jesus? Why is it significant that Jesus was laid in a manger? What must have Mary and Joseph felt in the moments after Jesus was born? Much more! Click here to see the Nativity through the eyes of a Holy Land pilgrim today, and a map view of the Nativity of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem! Jewel for the Journey: Let us rejoice, for Jesus our Savior shows us he is with us at every moment in our lives! Let us rejoice, for Jesus is our Hope! Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate  

This week’s virtual pilgrimage with Angela Sealana takes us on a journey to Christmas! Jump into the holiday spirit by exploring Christmas devotions from around the world; their origins and the deeper meanings behind them that have led millions into the celebration of Christmas for centuries. During our journey, you will hear about: Light in the Window & ‘Christmas Lights’ Advent & Nativity/Creche Posadas & Pinatas Oplatki Epiphany house blessing and traditions Much More! Click here to see the Epiphany House Blessing, photos of Christ Traditions from around the world, and a map view of the Nativity of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem! Jewel for the Journey: The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” (Luke 2:10) Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Time to add another stamp to your spiritual passport! Come along with Mary Jane Fox on a journey to Bethlehem with St. Jerome. Our journey will take us to Saint Jerome’s Grotto, which is accessed from the Church of St Catherine. During our journey, you will hear about: St. Jerome the Man St. Jerome Chapel at Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Bethlehem Importance of Scripture and Lectio Divina Much more! Click here to see photos of St. Jerome Chapel, download a Guide to Praying with Scripture (Lectio Divina), and a map view of its location! Jewel for the Journey: We must love Christ and always seek Christ’s embraces. Then everything difficult will seem easy.” – St. Jerome Learn more at PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Journeys Help us spread hope! PilgrimCenterOfHope.org/Donate

Come on a journey with Mary Jane Fox to Terra Sancta Ministries in Pontiac, MI! To help guide us on our spiritual pilgrimage is Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM. He is co-founder & Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries, oversees St. Joseph Chapel and the Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pontiac where the ministry is headquartered. During this spiritual pilgrimage, we will: Learn about the history of the Shrine and its mission. Be introduced to the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary Discover what pilgrims can experience while visiting the Shrine Much more! For more information about Terra Sancta Ministry and Shrine, click here. Image courtesy Terra Sancta Ministries. All rights reserved. Jewel for the Journey: “Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received–only what you have given; a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” – St. Francis of Assisi Click here to see photos of Terra Sancta Ministries and a map view of its locat