Itinerary for Today:
Flight over the Atlantic back home!

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees, bright sunshine. YAY!

Predicted Michigan Weather:
91 degrees, 96% humidity, heat advisory, partly sunny. Welcome home! 🙂

Pray!
Pray for the safety of all travelers this day. Write a letter or a note to one of the pilgrims you have been praying for about your experience on this pilgrimage journey. Join in 8:00 A.M. Mass one morning this week to celebrate the end of the pilgrimage and maybe to meet a pilgrim in our midst. In gratitude, be good to others today.

The Lord will set me free and rescue me because He loves me.

Gracious Father, I will thank You each day for Your merciful goodness to me. With Your help, I will ever praise Your kindness in my trouble. Please assist me now, as I faithfully follow Christ, my Savior, and call upon the friendship and intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, by granting my petition (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims! May He grant you a swift, safe, and easy journey back home! Thank you for your prayers for our community! Can’t wait to see your pictures and hear all of your stories! 🙂

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
St. Peter’s Basilica*

Necropolis-Scavi Tour of St. Peter’s Tomb*

Pasta Farewell Dinner*

Ok, so the pasta dinner is just a guess. I’m sure whatever they end up having will be WAY more epic than anything I could dream up. And I bet they aren’t going to bring us home leftovers. *sadface*

Predicted Italian Weather:
90 degrees, mostly sunny. YAY!

Pray!
Find out something about St. Peter. Read about him in Scripture and identify areas of your life where you have denied Christ. Pray for the leadership of the Catholic Church, for our priests and pilgrims, for our OLGC community, and all people throughout the world. Ask God for the courage to seek to encounter Jesus and look for a conversion in our hearts. Turn back to Him, like Peter, to love Him and to spread the faith like an intentional disciple every day. Help someone you know who is in need of your friendship and support.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

Your goodness, Heavenly Father, responds speedily to our sorrow. In my distress, I call upon You to hear and answer my prayers (mention your request). In You, O God, I will continue to trust despite everything. I ask this request in Christ’s name and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Itinerary for Today:
Assisi:
Basilica of St. Clare*

San Ruffino*

St. Francis of Assisi*

Predicted Italian Weather:
89 degrees, mostly sunny and nice. YAY!

Pray!
Come to Mass and focus as the gifts are being brought to the altar that we are in communion with each other in prayer at this moment. All of our intentions are being brought to the altar of the Lord. Spend a moment to talk to someone in the community about how you are experiencing this pilgrimage. In imitation of Christ and St. Francis, do good to those who may dislike you.

The Lord is a stronghold in times of distress.

Father in Heaven, You never reject those who seek Your help and are ever ready to comfort the sorrowful. Through the intercession of Saint Francis and in Christ’s name, I implore You to have pity on me in my needs (mention your request), and to rescue me from all afflictions. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
The Holy Stairs*

Basilica of St. Mary Major*

Basilica of St. John Lateran*

Holy Cross*

San Clemente*

St. Lawrence Outside the Walls*

Predicted Italian Weather:
90 degrees, partly sunny with thunderstorms in spots in the afternoon.

Pray!
Read St. Paul’s letters in Scripture as he describes the early Church community: Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35; Peter’s speech at Pentecost: Acts 2:14; and the end of the first mission of Paul: Acts 14:21. Banish from your mind and tongue unkind words and thoughts today.

O Lord, do not chastise me with Your anger.

Merciful Father, You know my weakness and disobedience. Yet, You are ever ready to forgive and be gracious to me in my trouble. In Christ’s name and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, quickly come to help me (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Itinerary for Today:
Pompeii and Herculaneum:
Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary*

Excavations in Pompeii*

City of Herculaneum*

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees with showers in the morning; otherwise sunshine and patchy clouds. 🙂 This sounds better!

Pray!
Fast today (from food, coffee, soda, candy, TV, etc.). Offer a prayer each time you remember your commitment to fast. Bring all the children to church to pray the rosary with teens leading. For God’s sake, help some person whom you may not like.

O Lord, grant safety to those who long for it.

In You, Heavenly Father, I confidently place my trust. In your hands, I leave all my anxieties with faith in Your care for me. From You, and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, I await relief from my present distress (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Itinerary for Today:
Ancient Rome and Genazzano:
Coliseum*

Circus Maximus*

Roman Forum*

St. Peter in Chains Church*

Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel*

Church of St. Ignatius*

Predicted Italian Weather:
88 degrees and cloudy; chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. 😦

Pray!
Remember the community of OLGC and all the petitions each time you use stairs in your life today. Keep the physical journey and the strength and endurance of the pilgrims in your prayers. Consider today how you can do God’s will.

Make Your ways known to me, O Lord.

Father Almighty, Your ways and purpose are often hidden from us. Guide me now and through the intercession of Saint Francis of Assisi, I beg You, in my sorrow, and by Your power, to let me know Your will regarding my special need (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Today, Fr. John said “Good Morning” and sent out a video update, letting us know that the pilgrims might get to see Pope Francis on Sunday!

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
Catacombs of St. Sebastian*

The Vatican Museums*

Sistine Chapel*

Predicted Italian Weather:
89 degrees and partly sunny, turning colder in the afternoon with a thunderstorm in spots. Sounds humid. 😦

Pray!
Celebrate a pasta meal. Whether at home or away, eat pasta as a way to join with the dinner celebrated in Italy. Offer an extra prayer for the food that we are given and commit to bring food to church each week. Throughout the day, give your cares to the Lord.

Lord, be not far from me.

Loving Father. You are not far from any of us, since in You we live, move and have our being. Increase my awareness of Your presence and through the intercession of Saint Francis, take care of my pressing need (mention your request). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

Itinerary for Today:
Rome:
Church of San Lorenzo with the World Youth Day cross*

Trevi Fountain*

Pantheon*

Spanish Steps*

Piazza Navona*

Predicted Italian Weather:
87 degrees and a thunderstorm in the afternoon. What?! No thunderstorms for our pilgrims! 😦

Update!
One of the pilgrims has written to us about her experiences on this day!

Pray!
Spend some quiet time walking and talking to the Lord. Take a walk and remember the footsteps of all who have come before us on the journey of faith. Pray for the safety of the travelers. See the suffering Christ in someone around you.

Hear me, O Lord, and have pity on me.

Father in heaven, Your love for us never falters in spite of our transgressions and failures. Please show Your mercy for me in my difficulty (mention your request). Through the intercession of St. Francis and for the sake of Christ, Our Savior, have pity on me. Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

* Note: None of these pictures are mine, as I’ve never been to Italy. *sob* Nor are they pictures from the pilgrims. They are pictures taken from people who have allowed others to link to them; you can click through each picture to the photographer’s page, to see more of their work.

May God bless you, pilgrims!

First…

*I* am not going on pilgrimage.

But my priests are, along with some of the teens in our parish:

They are going to Italy!

While they are gone, they have posted up a novena and their basic itinerary, so that we can live vicariously through their experiences and pray with them along the way. 🙂

Itinerary for Today:
Flight over the Atlantic

Predicted Italian Weather:
90 degrees and partly sunny!

Pray!
Pray the St. Francis Prayer for Peace and show your humility by doing a good deed for someone today.

O God, come to my assistance.

Heavenly Father, You know all things and nothing is hidden from You. In Your mercy and kindness, and through the intercession of Saint Francis, come to my aid in my present distress and grant my humble petition (mention your request; e.g. the fruitfullness of this pilgrimage and the safety of the pilgrims during their travels). Amen.

Lord, make me an instrument of peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal life.

As today is a traveling day, they are likely not going to be seeing much but airports and airplanes. 🙂 Perhaps in the subsequent posts, I’ll try to add some pictures of what they *might* be seeing. And, hopefully, they’ll share their pictures when they get back! 🙂

May God bless you, pilgrims! And may He grant you an easy journey today!