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Home » The Catholic Faith: A Life-Altering Journey

The Catholic Faith: A Life-Altering Journey

• By Mark C. McCann
• 18 October AD 2017

Every summer for some insane reason I load up my backpack way too heavy with supplies and venture out onto the Appalachian Trail for a little test of personal fortitude. I have wondered why I choose to push myself out onto the winding rocky paths up steep climbs and through dark forests only to end up exhausted by the time I reach the nearest shelter where I try to catch a few hours of sleep before getting up and doing it all over again. But I think I have figured it out. These little 3-day excursions grant me a deeper sense of myself and capture so perfectly what my Catholic faith is all about. I thought I would pass on a few insights in this short A.T. Hiker’s Guide to Catholicism.

Testing and Trials of Faith

Every journey, whether we like it or not, is a test of our strength, our will, and our resolve. It takes great faith to set out into the unknown, wondering if we will survive the trials and make it to the end. It is in this realm of uncertainty, in fact, that faith is born. As I walk the Appalachian Trail, I know I must choose my steps carefully, lest I stumble and fall along the way. I carry with me what I think I will need to sustain me on my journey. I know that compared to the thru-hikers I meet my pack is very overweight, but I bear the load because I know at the end of the day, my fresh clothes, toiletries, and a trusty tent will offer me a comfortable night’s sleep and a feeling of security and wellbeing.

I know, as a Catholic, I carry with me more than what other Christians would consider necessary for the journey of faith. But I take comfort in the traditions, the writings, the additional Scriptures, and the sacraments that keep me grounded and bring me contentment at the end of the day. Is there a danger of turning those things into idols? Perhaps. But I have been on this path long enough to understand the nature of these great gifts. I know they are precious provisions which bring strength and refreshment as I travel the road to heaven.

Mapping Out My Journey

The Appalachian Trail is usually well-traveled and well-marked with white blazes. Still, even the most seasoned hiker will carry some sort of map to guide the way. I have an app on my phone with the entire trail marked out with every place to rest. I also carry a PDF version of an A.T. hiker’s guidebook to direct me to water sources, roads, and shelters. Should I wander off the path or become confused as to where I am, I know I have a way back to the safety of the trail. Each year as I begin my journey, I use these tools to map out the individual hike I will take.

Similarly, I know I have the tools of my Catholic faith to guide me along my journey. The teachings of the Church and God’s Word provide the vital information I need for getting to my next destination. They are my heavenly GPS, reminding me God above knows my every step and is there to keep me on the narrow road. The waypoints of truth are laid out and the guidelines of faith established so I can calculate carefully my individual journey towards the goal. I choose my steps, but I know God continues to speak to me through His Spirit, His Word, and His Church. In this, I am confident I will always find my way.

Rocks, Rain, and Rough Roads

My favorite parts of the Appalachian Trail are those lovely little paths which meander through the woods beside babbling brooks or still ponds overlooking an idyllic countryside scene. Unfortunately, those are few and far between. Much of the A.T. is rough and rocky, full of steep climbs or muddy paths. This year I walked in a summer rainstorm, even though I had specifically asked God to spare me from a wet hike. I made sure make the most of the experience, however. I spent time in prayer, meditating on why God allows rain to fall upon our lives and why He seems to lay out difficult paths before us. There were no great revelations, but I did find myself in a place of resolve, where I accepted that no experience is ever wasted. There in the wet woods, I was content to wait for future insights to come.

Jesus never promised us the road to heaven would be smooth and packed with peaceful moments. He did promise us that He would be with us and share His easy yoke as we traveled along the way. As I have walked these many years with my Savior, I have learned rain cleanses and renews, rocky climbs strengthen feeble knees, and trials and struggles are often strict schoolmasters, teaching us invaluable lessons about how to live the Christian life. And when the beautiful vistas come, I breathe in their purity and bask in the joy they bring. In all this, perhaps what is most important is I have discovered the journey itself is a beautiful blessing, and it is glorious to surrender to the will of the One who has laid it all out before us.

Saints and the Smell of the Trail

One of best parts of my A.T. hikes is meeting the thru-hikers. They are the ones who have committed to trek the entire Appalachian Trail from beginning to end. They travel light, know the way, and seem to walk it effortlessly. They speak their own language, are totally sold out to the Trail, and have a strength that allows them to persevere as they travel the long and arduous journey to their final destination. They are the extraordinary saints of the journey compared to my ordinary stumbling self. Yet, they never judge me for my overweight pack and my slow pace along the trail. They have the dirt of the road on their bodies and the smell of the trail in their nostrils, yet they have an inexplicable joy and a gentle spirit that extends to everyone they meet along the way. They are the giants and I am the one struggling to believe. It is a sobering lesson I learn over and over again with every hike I take.

Though each Catholic is certainly a saint, we have been blessed to know there are those who have totally sold out to the journey and who stand as examples for us to follow. They never seem caught up in the trappings of this world, run the race with a supernatural strength, and speak the language of the angels as they stretch their souls out along the entire journey from this world to the next. They are so connected to their relationship with the One who is leading them home that they shine as models of saintly living. They love with the love of Christ, never judging the ordinary believers weighed down with their woes, but encouraging us with their radiant example of what it means to walk the perfect path toward the mountain of God.

Never Missing the Moment

All along the Appalachian Trail, there are wonders I may miss if I am so focused on the next goal that I forget to take pleasure in the journey itself. There are many delights of the hike: the satisfaction of drinking water filtered from a cool and crystal clear stream, the comfort of a hot cup of tea at the end of a long day of hiking, the beautiful works of God displayed in the flora and fauna of the woods, and the majestic views from atop a mountain summit after a rigorous climb. And then there is the trail magic – little gifts of food, water, and tasty treats left by lovers of the A.T. at junctions along the trail. I admit there have been times when I was so focused on getting to the next shelter (sometimes for my own safety) I forgot to “hike my own hike” and failed to notice these little delights along the way. But when I find myself in a good hiking rhythm I strike a balance between pressing on toward the goal and savoring my experiences along the way.

There are so many beautiful miracles along the road of life that Catholics may miss if we are too focused on reaching the next goal of the journey. If we worry too much about getting our fill of sacraments instead of satisfying ourselves with each new experience of them, we may fail to fully grasp the spiritual significance of each sacred sign. Each day is a mystery which unfolds before us, full of moments to be taken in and treasured in our hearts. Our Catholic faith is a delightful journey in the here and now, a precious gift of joy to be shared in communion with our brothers and sisters who are hiking their own hikes as they too walk in a holy cadence toward heaven’s shining gates. Jesus calls us to live our life to the fullest, surrendering to the power and potential of each and every day.

Next year I am sure I will once again overfill my backpack and venture out onto the Appalachian Trail. Maybe I will explore a new section or maybe I will retrace a previous hike once more. Whatever the case, I know I will allow the journey to stir within me the power and presence of Jesus Christ and bring new meaning to the precious Catholic faith I call my own. I will use the trials of the hike and the trials of my life to discover more and more just what it means to work out my salvation with fear and trembling. And in the end, I will treasure the journey as I walk with my Savior along the blessed way.

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Mark C. McCann

3 thoughts on “the catholic faith: a life-altering journey”.

I am reading various lives of the saints and other Catholic writers and your line ” they are the giants and I am struggling to believe” is a soothing charity to my pain- thank you

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My Catholic Life‪!‬ 4+

Catholic daily reflections, my catholic life inc., designed for ipad.

• 4.6 • 156 Ratings

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My Catholic Life! presents this free resource sharing the beauty and splendor of the Catholic faith. The goal of this app is to present our glorious faith in a practical & personal way while remaining true to the teachings of our Church. It's perfect for those who are interested in growing deeper in their faith, for new converts, for those seeking more in life, or for those asking some of life's most difficult questions. Within this app you will discover: +Daily reflections on the Gospel +Daily Divine Mercy reflections +Daily Lessons from Saint Thérèse +Daily reflections with our Blessed Mother +Saint of the day +Liturgical calendar +Quote of the day +Audio reflections +Easy access to our YouTube reflections +Lent devotions and prayers +Advent devotions and prayers +Daily Prayers +Pray the Divine Office +Catholic news feeds +Free book reading in app +Engaging Catholic Q&A +The complete My Catholic Life! Series - A free and complete summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church +Free R.C.I.A. program +Small Group Study Program for faith formation and adult education +Inspirational Quotes And more! May this app assist you on your journey of personal conversion and holiness!

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156 Ratings

The only App I would truly miss

Are use this app far more than any other apps on my phone. I go to it daily to find the appropriate prayers for friends in need and for myself. This has been the only way I have been able to purposely and continuously improve my prayer life because it’s right with me all the time and it finds, the prayers that I am looking for . I would suggest this app for every Catholic who really wants to talk with God in a usable workable truly humanizing way.

Everything I’ve been looking for!!!

This app is AWESOME!!! I have always wanted something that had daily prayers, Liturgy of the Hours, liturgical prayers, reflections, the gospel readings, the readings in general, an examination of conscience, and much much more!!! This has truly been one of the best decisions I have made!!!! So I highly suggest you get it. Plus it is not slow it responds quickly.

Powerful Prayer Aid

I appreciate the depth and breadth of this app the more I use it. It’s always with me on my phone and so useful to tap into when I have a few moments of free time (like waiting in line) that would otherwise be wasted. The information is phenomenal and deep. I have the Daily Mass Reflections and Divine Mercy Reflections sent to my phone. Well done!

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Strengthening Your Catholic Faith: A Guide to Spiritual Growth and Faith Formation

The journey of faith is a lifelong commitment, a continuous process of deepening our relationship with Christ and understanding the teachings of the Church. To improve your faith life and foster a closer connection with Christ, it’s essential to engage in meaningful practices and explore Catholic literature that can provide spiritual nourishment. Here are some ideas to help you enhance your faith and some insightful Catholic-based books to read.

Daily Prayer and Reflection

Building a strong connection with God starts with prayer and reflection. Setting aside time each day for prayer, whether it’s the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours , or simply speaking from the heart, allows you to commune with the Divine. To complement your daily prayer, consider reading The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, a classic work that guides Catholics in developing a deeper prayer life and drawing closer to Christ.

Attend Mass Regularly

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Regular attendance at Mass is crucial to growing closer to Christ. It’s not just about fulfilling an obligation — it’s an opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior. For a deeper understanding of the Mass, The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn offers insights into the biblical roots of the Eucharist and its significance.

Study the Bible

The Word of God is a rich source of spiritual growth. Dive into the Scriptures, attend Bible studies, or join a Catholic reading group (check out our Spiritual Book Club on the cover) to dedicate some time for spiritual growth. The Catholic Study Bible with commentary is an excellent resource for gaining a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teachings and how they relate to your faith. Utilize the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ New American Bible online at www.bible.usccb.org/bible.

Engage in Faith Formation Programs

Your local parish may offer faith formation programs, which can provide a structured way to learn about the teachings of the Church. These programs can include courses on Catholic theology, morality, and the history of the Church. Ask your parish for information about available opportunities to deepen your faith and understanding.

Read Catholic Literature

Immersing yourself in Catholic literature is a powerful way to improve your faith formation. Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales is a classic that offers practical guidance for leading a life of holiness. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a thought-provoking established work that explores the Christian faith from a broader perspective.

Seek Spiritual Guidance

Having a spiritual director or mentor can be immensely beneficial in your faith journey. They can offer guidance, support, and insights that help you grow spiritually. Consider reading Spiritual Direction: A Guide for Sharing the Father’s Love by Fr. Thomas Acklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks to understand the role of a spiritual director in your life.

Improving your faith life and growing closer to Christ is an ongoing process. By incorporating these practices and exploring Catholic literature, you can deepen your understanding of Church teachings and develop a more profound relationship with our Lord.

Remember that faith formation is a personal journey, and it is never too late to start or continue on the path to spiritual growth.

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My Journey in the Catholic Faith

by Angela Lano | Jun 4, 2020 | Discovery | 1 comment

I grew up in a loving Protestant family. My dad was a pastor, first as a Baptist, later as a Presbyterian. He preached at a Presbyterian church in Kearney, Nebraska for about eighteen years. He resigned from his pastorate in 2009. Then wee sold our house and moved to Minnesota.

Not long after we moved, my dad was becoming convicted about the truth claims of the Catholic Church. He studied the history and beliefs of the Catholic Faith. He also read much about early Church Fathers. He encouraged my mom to study the Catholic Faith as well. When my parents told me about the journey, I was shocked.

This was hard for me. I knew that if my parents became Catholic, this would likely hurt our relationships with Protestant friends and family members. My parents invited me to take the journey. I agreed, but I was still very hesitant.

We started attending a large Catholic parish, and joined a RCIA class filled with other people curious about the Faith. It was good for us because we received helpful instruction and met solid Catholics.

My parents and I officially became Catholic at the Easter Vigil in 2012. Sadly, for several years I was spiritually lukewarm. But God in his love, reached me in a special way. In 2018, I discovered the Divine Mercy chaplet. I read St. Faustina’s diary and learned to pray the chaplet. A spiritual hunger grew in my soul. I became more fervent in my faith. I longed as never before for the Eucharist, Adoration, and confession.

I also came to realize the importance of the Rosary . Praying the Rosary has strengthened my Catholic walk. I now have a much more tender heart for Christ, his mother and his Church. I know the Catholic Church is the truth, despite the current troubles, and I want to remain in it. I want to be like a little lamb faithfully trotting by Jesus .

I’m thankful that God blessed me to become part of the Catholic Church. Often I like to imagine the saints and the Blessed Mother cheering for us in heaven. I look at Mary as she looks at me. Blessed Mother, keep praying for your spiritual daughter as she continues her journey in the Catholic Faith.

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Great story! Thank you for sharing!

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Kinda Catholic to Fully Faithful: An Overview of my Catholic Journey

There is a great GK Chesterton quote that says

The difficulty of explaining “why I am a Catholic” is that there are ten thousand reasons all amounting to one reason: that Catholicism is true.

I, like a number of other Catholics, could easily agree with that statement. He goes on to say that talking about his personal conversion makes something as big as the Church seem much too small. I think that is a great point. Rather than trying to explain how I became “fully Catholic” as an attempt to persuade, I’d like to explain it to help provide some clarity to where I am coming from when it comes to expressing my faith.

I think a misconception many have about me is that I am only Catholic because my parents are. While I grew up going to a Catholic Church and attending faith formation through that, my family never forced me to be Catholic. In fact, my mom made sure we knew growing up that she would still love and accept us even if we stopped following the Catholic faith. I participated in Children’s Christian Theater so I attended some Protestant services growing up. In high school, I learned the basic tenets and history of different religions. I had friends from a variety of faith backgrounds. Our lunch table dynamics sounded like an introduction to a joke: a Catholic, a Mormon, a Muslim, and an atheist sit down at a table…

Though I had some important moments in faith, I also dealt with doubts. During a retreat, someone told us that being confirmed doesn’t mean you don’t have questions about the Church; it means you choose Catholicism as your path to Jesus. I had a very long list of questions, but that comforted me enough to move forward.

Early College

When I got to college, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to continue practicing Catholicism. I had my huge list of questions and didn’t feel comfortable asking them. My freshman year, I was dating a guy who was more of a practicing Catholic than I so that was some encouragement to keep attending. I also started to make some friends in the choir so though I didn’t feel like I fit in with the rest of the congregation, I had some connections.

Challenges to my Faith

The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of college, I worked at Philmont Scout Ranch. People seriously challenged my faith for the first time in my life. Though my Mormon friends in high school had invited me to some activities at their Church and shared their faith with me, I never felt overwhelmingly pressured.  At Philmont, I had a Protestant co-worker who whispered behind my back that I wasn’t really a Christian. I attended one non-denominational Bible study; before that, no one ever asked me questions like “when were you saved?” so I felt a little uncomfortable and confused. The Muslim co-worker was a convert from Catholicism, and he not only asked me some hard questions but did so in an incredibly rude way. I really had to think about what I believed, what the Church taught, and if I could really defend it. One of my co-workers lent me the book Catholic & Christian by Alan Schreck . It is a fantastic book, and I highly recommend it! It helped me to understand some of the theological questions and helped me grow the tiniest bit in that way, but I still had a ton of questions.

Floating Along

Between that summer and January the next year, I started dating Ben. I was still attending Mass somewhat regularly because I was in the choir. In January, I started a co-op (extended internship). After I moved in with my apartment-mate (we both had our own bathrooms and bedrooms on opposite ends), I found out that he was Catholic as well. I went to Mass with him pretty much every Sunday.

Around this time, Ben started exploring the Catholic faith.

We were attending Mass together, and I was going to RCIA with him that fall, but I went on a second co-op in my spring semester. This time, I was the only Christian in the house, and my Mass attendance became less consistent despite being Ben’s Confirmation sponsor (I did not do a good job).

Later College

The worst months of my life occurred that summer through the winter. My tinnitus was causing a lot of emotional turmoil on top of dealing with mental illness. My shoulder was causing me so much pain and was so weak, I couldn’t open a door. Ben and I broke up in the fall which was absolutely devastating. This caused me to make a lot of mistakes. It was a really challenging semester academically for me. These challenges were compounded by the fact that I was a  type 1 diabetic  but had yet to be diagnosed.   I was miserable and unsuccessfully seeking happiness outside of my faith. Fortunately, FOCUS  started up on my campus. One of the missionaries persistently invited me to Bible study and other events despite me usually making (really lame) excuses.

In January 2015, I went to my first SEEK conference. It is hard to articulate how important this experience was for my faith development. In the simplest terms, I caught a glimpse of my worth in the eyes of God. I realized that if I wanted to be happy (or at least happier), I needed to make God the center of my life; I recognized the need for a relationship with Christ.

Ben and I were able to heal our relationship and started talking about putting God as the focus. Though I my interest in learning more about my faith grew, I still didn’t do much about it.

That summer, I ended up working with a devout Catholic. We’d carpool sometimes or walk to Mass together, and he was a great example of living the faith. I started going to adoration every once in awhile (which was more than I had ever done before). This summer, I also really started digging into the “why” behind our Catholic faith; I wanted answers to the things I had previously just disregarded as “backward .”   I was finally trying to fully live my faith as a Catholic and let it influence my life.

My 5th and final year of college (taking two extended internships postponed my graduation), God blessed me with a Christ-centered friendship. Both Ben and I continued to grow together in our faith.

To Be Continued…For the Rest of my Life

I am still learning what it means to have an intimate relationship with Christ. I am still finding amazing things about our faith . I am trying to grow holier, but I still make mistakes (or feel like I’m a  bad Catholic ). But I’m finally entirely confident I am on the right path to lead me closer to God, and that brings me a lot of genuine joy.

I’m so encouraged reading your story leading to entire confidence in the Gospel. It’s easy to fall away even at that point for all of us as we get distracted or busy. Thanks for sharing! Sharing our personal battles through life are what give God the glory.

Thank you for your kind words! I agree that it is important to share our challenges; I know from personal experience how discouraging it is to see someone perceived to be a perfect Christian. Hearing other people’s journies to get where they are has been so helpful in my own growth.

Thanks for writing this. I look forward to reading more, and following you on twitter.

Thank you so much!

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While Rome is often the focus on many Catholic Pilgrimage visits to Italy, there are countless sites throughout Italy associated with the lives of the saints, both ancient and modern. From the martyrdom of Saint Peter in Rome in the first century, Rome has remained the center of Catholicism throughout the world.

 While most Catholic pilgrimage to Italy would feel incomplete without a stop in Rome, Italy has so much more to offer. A short distance to the north, pilgrims can find themselves walking in the footsteps of St. Francis as they traverse the hills of Assisi. A trip to the south will take you to Monte Cassino and the home of St. Benedict. You may choose to visit the sites of St. Catherine of Siena, or for a modern view of the lives of the saint, travel to San Giovanni Rotondo to learn about the life of Padre Pio.

 No matter your choice, My Catholic Journeys can create an itinerary to match your interests. Here you can find a listing of our most popular pilgrimage itineraries. For more choices or to build a custom itinerary, contact us, today

• Tour 1 (6 nights / 8 days)
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• Tour 4 (9 nights / 11 days)
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Rome – The Modern Day Center of Roman Catholicism

Rome / montecassino / pompeii / assisi.

• Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Rome, Italy
• Arrive in Rome
• Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to an awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to the hotel for check-in
• Afternoon at leisure for relaxation, sightseeing, shopping, or other activities
• Celebrate Mass in the community of our fellow pilgrims
• Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight
• Breakfast at the hotel
• This morning, we will visit Vatican City to attend an Audience/Blessing with our Holy Father (if available), then tour the Vatican Museums, which house what can be described as the most important collections of art in the world, including The Sistine Chapel
• Lunch, on own
• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Marvel at Bernini’s beautiful bronze canopy and Michelangelo’s Blessed Mother, known as the Pieta
• Enjoy time at leisure for additional sightseeing, shopping, or other activities
• Evening dinner and overnight

A 10-Day Pilgrimage to Tuscany and Rome

Rome / naples / pompeii / siena / florence / assisi.

• Enjoy a panoramic tour of Rome’s highlights, including stops at the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, and Trevi Fountain
• Late afternoon check-in at the hotel
• This morning, we will visit Vatican City and tour the Vatican Museums, which house what can be described as the most important collections of art in the world, including The Sistine Chapel
• Visit the Roman Forum and Colosseum, the Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla, and Palatine Hill

St. Paul’s Journey to Rome

Palermo / monreale / agrigento / taormina / calabria / naples / pompeii / rome.

• Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Palermo, Italy
• Arrive in Palermo
• Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to the hotel for check-in
• Palermo is Sicily’s cultural capital is a city rich in history, spirit, art, and diversity. Our tour this morning will include San Giovanni delgi Eremiti, Quattro Canti, Palatine Chapel, and the Cathedral
• Drive to the small town of Monreale. There we will explore the Benedictine Abbey with its mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments
• Return to Palermo for evening dinner and overnight

The Shrines of Italy

Rome / montecassino / pompeii / assisi / florence / padova / venice / milan.

• This morning we will visit Vatican City to attend an Audience/Blessing with our Holy Father (if available), then tour the Vatican Museums, which house what can be described as the most important collections of art in the world, including the Sistine Chapel
• Visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Marvel at Bernini’s beautiful bronze canopy and Michaelangelo’s Blessed Mother, known as the Pieta
• Enjoy time at leisure for additional sightseeing and exploration

Eucharistic Miracles of Italy

Milan / venice / florence / pisa / assisi / cascia / loreto / lanciano / san giovanni rotondo / rome.

• Depart via scheduled air service. The destination is Milan, Italy
• Arrive in Milan
• Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to awaiting chartered motorcoach for a transfer to the hotel in Padua for check-in
• Celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Anthony. The Basilica is known locally as “Il Santo” and is where the bones of the saint rest in a richly ornamented chapel
• This morning we will enjoy an excursion to Venice and start with a guided tour of La Serenissima, including a visit to the Basilica of St. Mark, which is architecturally a Byzantine wonder covered in golden mosaics and art treasures
• Celebrate Mass in the Basilica of St. Mark
• Visit other sites in and around the Piazza San Marco including the Doge’s Palace, home to the political leader of the Republic of Venice
• Enjoy the afternoon at leisure for exploration, shopping, or other activities

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My Faith Journey

This article was posted on: April 26, 2021

The happiest day of my life remains Easter Vigil 1986 when I became Catholic. I’m 69 years old and now live in Trempealeau, where I care for my 94-year-old mother. My journey began in 1985 when I lived and worked in Ann Arbor, Mich. My friends, Mary and Ray, were going to “Renew,” an initiative by the Catholic Church to encourage Catholics to come back to the Faith. I was taking care of their little boy, Gabriel, who was one and a half, while they went to classes. They always came back very enthusiastic. I was raised Methodist and Presbyterian so I had a Christian background but had drifted away many years prior.

On Easter Vigil 1985, Mary and Ray invited me to come with them to their Catholic church, and I said ‘yes.’ I will never forget the experience when I walked in and immediately knew Jesus was present. I felt Him there. When I saw all the people, I said to myself ‘here they all are.’ And instantly, I knew I was home. That epiphany has sustained me over the years and will always be with me. At that time, I did not know anything about the Catholic Church, the Mass, Transubstantiation or that Catholics consume the actual body and blood of Jesus. But I knew Jesus was present, and I felt His astonishing love that Easter Vigil.

I attended RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) from September 1985 until Easter Vigil 1986, with Mary and Ray as my sponsors. On Easter Vigil 1986, I became Catholic, and this remains the happiest day of my life. I love that we waited to consume the host until we fully understood that this is the body and blood of Jesus; I was so eager for this grace.

Our family moved around growing up and ended up in Michigan, where I graduated from the University of Michigan and worked for the University of Michigan until 2015 when I came to Trempealeau to care for my mother. Trempealeau has always been home base for our extended family, and the thrill when I rounded the bend and first saw the Mississippi has never left me.

In the 1970s and 1980s, I wrote hundreds of poems. Then I began to paint and stopped writing poems. In the 2000s, I started taking selected poems I wrote in the earlier years and making paintings of them. A book of my poems with paintings is expected to come out in 2021. These poems reflect the darkness I experienced during those years. Since arriving here, I began to paint the beauty around me and recently began writing poems again. This area inspires me!

My life here in Trempealeau has been an incredible adventure, and St. Bartholomew Parish is at the center of everything for me. The first time I came to St. Bartholomew Church was for a funeral. A new pastor, Father Antony Joseph, presided. I knew right away I would be happy there. What I did not know was the miraculous changes it would bring in my life.

I had always been a quiet, shy and-in-the-background person. Soon, I became involved as a lector and an extraordinary minister of holy Communion.

I sang in the choir, assisted with CCD and worked in the kitchen. I also became secretary for the women’s group. The parishioners here are wonderful. In Ann Arbor, I had close friends, but now I not only have close friends and family but also a parish community.

Caring for my mother has been a gift for both of us. While I do not go to Mass at this time due to COVID-19 concerns, I stop by the church when I can and spend some time with Jesus. I light a candle by Mary or Jesus or Joseph and feel so loved and renewed. Also, a couple times, my brothers have driven from California and Miami to take care of my mother so I can go to the hermitage in St. Joseph for a few days. This offering of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration is such a blessing. I leave there refreshed.

With the pandemic, we have been treating our home like a nursing home. I do not go out to Mass, only leaving for groceries, mail and walks. My mother is frail, and I am keeping her safe so far. Recently, I discovered Brant Pitre and his amazing insights into Scripture. He writes so that a lay person like myself can follow and learn from him. I am enjoying this quiet time, and my Faith now is less busy with activities and busier in quiet reflection. This is a blessing I hope to continue after the pandemic is over.

I am writing poems again, and this has been an incredible grace. I want to share my Faith and the beauty of it, without alienating people. I think that is how I came to my Catholic Faith with my friends, and I believe, if people see our love for our Faith and what it does for us, with acceptance for where they are in their Faith journeys, more people may be open to Catholicism.

Even the cat’s asleep and I was so tired but sleepless now. The stars fading while I keep my vigil, the click of my rosary beads marking my path. It is alright if you do not believe Mary appeared to the shepherd children at Fatima, coming with a message of peace. Oh how this hope haunts our days. I am a simple woman, my Faith a simple Faith a language, a way of touching the face of God. It is alright if we do not share the same language, the same Faith. It is alright, not to worry, there is enough love and hope in this world for all of us, the universe sheltering us under one wing. I think about the astronauts and the scientists who send them off. I think about hunger and racism and violence and storms and discarded plastic and politics. When it is all too large to comprehend I turn to my simple beads and the prayers flow. As the dark blue sky fades to light I turn up the furnace, make the coffee, check on my mother. In awe I witness the sun lighting the bluffs, God’s wondrous footprint, and so begins another day. – ANNE BAGLEY

By ANNE BAGLEY, Parishioner of St. Bartholomew Parish in Trempealeau Main Image: View From Little Bluff, Summer – Painting by Anne Published in April 2021 Catholic Life Issue

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My Lourdes Faith Journey

In this series, you'll meet men and women whose experience at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes has transformed their lives, turning their powerful stories of suffering and tragedy into ones of healing and faith.

EPISODE 19- IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. BERNADETTE: NEVERS, FRANCE, pt. 2

Our look at St. Bernadette continues following her death in the St. Croix Infirmary. The Sisters of Charity have granted unprecedented access to their files, including stunning footage of the saint’s incorrupt body.

EPISODE 18- IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. BERNADETTE: NEVERS, FRANCE, pt. 1

What happened to Bernadette after Our Lady appeared to her at the Lourdes Grotto? Discover where and how she lived as we trace her footsteps, from entering the convent in Nevers to her assignment, service and death.

EPISODE 17- LOURDES HOME FOR THE VISITING SICK: THE ACCUEIL NOTRE-DAME

Visit the unique place of welcome for the sick and their volunteer medical support teams at Lourdes, and see how this special facility enables them to travel and have a comfortable and spiritually fulfilling experience.

EPISODE 16- HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE LOURDES ARCHIVES

Explore the Lourdes Archives and see the actual rock on which the feet of the Mother of God stood, letters by St. Bernadette written in her own hand, and other fascinating Lourdes treasures rarely seen by the public.

EPISODE 15- GUARDIAN OF THE GROTTO: BISHOP JEAN-MARC MICAS, PSS

Meet the guardian of the grotto. His Excellency Jean-Marc Micas, Bishop of Lourdes, shares his insights on the significance of Catholicism’s most revered shrine, and reveals a special objective of his mission in Lourdes.

EPISODE 14- LINDA

Born at a tiny 2 pounds, there was little hope Linda would survive. But she began to thrive under the foster care of a special couple, and despite many traumas, a Lourdes pilgrimage and Catholicism changed her life.

EPISODE 13- TONY AND SANDI BARTOLOMEO

Tony and Sandi Bartolomeo remember their daughter Andrea, who received the gift of “love without measure” at Lourdes in her battle with leukemia. Many souls have since traveled to Lourdes through “Andrea’s Wish.”

EPISODE 12- BRIAN WEBER

Brian Weber lost his only son in a car crash before getting deployed to Afghanistan. He shares how an encounter with Our Lady of Lourdes in the Grotto changed his life and brought light into the darkness of suffering.

EPISODE 11- THERESA AND KEVIN PIATT

A physical therapist adopts a severely handicapped patient she treated in foster care. Join them on this journey of faith through challenges and doubt, as they discover unconditional love and the joy of family.

EPISODE 10- EARL JONES

New Orleans native Earl Jones faced a fight for his life during one of the deadliest hurricanes in history. A desperate call out in faith from the midst of the storm led to surprising help from a heavenly friend.

EPISODE 9- CHRISTINE MARRO

Diagnosed with ALS, the outloook for Christine Marro was bleak. But a visit to Lourdes during the 150th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance changed Chrissy’s life. Hear the true story of her miraculous healing.

EPISODE 8- MAJEL

Majel talks about the deep faith of her late husband, and the many gifts he left as a legacy. She recounts her experiences on the Lourdes Volunteers Youth Pilgrimage and the profound impact it had on her entire family.

EPISODE 7- NOAH LETT

The amazing faith journey of Noah Lett is profiled. Born into a loving yet “pagan” family, he discovered Jesus and became a Protestant pastor. A mystical encounter with St. Bernadette led to his becoming a Catholic.

EPISODE 6- THERESA AND GEORGE KEARNEY

Miracles happen in unexpected ways. After experiencing the tragic loss of her first husband, Theresa went to Lourdes to serve others. There she found inner peace and met her soulmate, George, another Lourdes volunteer.

EPISODE 5- JAMIE JENSEN

Follow the amazing faith journey of Jamie Jensen. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, this quadriplegic has been to Lourdes 17 times despite being confined to a wheelchair. Learn about the gift of faith he received.

EPISODE 4- SHEENA

Sheena Lange is a pilgrimage volunteer who suffered an involuntary abortion as a teenager. She talks about her work at the Lourdes Shrine, and how seeing the transformation in others has aided in her own healing.

EPISODE 3- DEACON DAN REVETTO

Lourdes Pilgrimage Deacon, Dan Revetto talks about his experiences at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in France, and how his calling to the Deaconate has been enhanced by the people he’s met and the experiences he’s had there.

EPISODE 2- LINDSEY

See the COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of a nurse at the Lourdes shrine. Lindsey Mooney gives hope and consolation to those who have lost loved ones and those who experienced the hardships of the disease themselves.

EPISODE 1- ALLY

Pilgrimage volunteer Alley Marrow recounts how her Lourdes experience has helped her heal from the anger she suffered because of sexual molestation, the loss of a parent, and the loss of a child during pregnancy.

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Catholic Pilgrimages & Tours 2024

The only pilgrimage tour company 100% catholic owned and operated with a priest on staff. , our catholic pilgrimages have a priest and daily mass..

Catholic Pilgrimages are all that we do!  We offer pilgrimages to Medjugorje ,  the Holy Land , and  Marian Shrines  around the world, including  Lourdes ,  Fatima , and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico , Italy pilgrimage to Rome , Divine Mercy Poland, just to name a few. We have helped thousands of people plan their Catholic pilgrimages by offering quality travel arrangements and excellent service, at affordable prices. Where will your Faith take you this year? With over 20 years of expertise, let us help you plan the perfect Catholic tour and Catholic pilgrimage for you in 2024 or 2025.

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I just returned from a Catholic Journey’s pilgrimage tour of Croatia and Bosnia. The highlight was 5 days in Medjugorje. This place truly lives ‘peace on earth’.  The accommodations were superb and our pilgrimage tour guide, Evo, was outstanding. This has been my fourth Catholic Pilgrimage with Catholic Journeys and I have been more than satisfied with all aspects of the trip. They are so professional and caring. I highly recommend them for a Catholic pilgrimage tour.

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Thank you for the wonderful pilgrimage tour to the Holy Land that your company organized. The guide was excellent, the places we visited put me in contact with the places that Christ walked, and the accommodations were great.  Truly, a Catholic Pilgrimage!

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Matt shares some thoughts on Fasting, Lent, and what The Father Lasance and The USCCB have to say. God Bless You!

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The Eucharistic miracle along the Camino de Santiago

The whole of the Christian life can be likened to a pilgrimage, and our food for the journey is the nourishment we receive in Holy Communion.

June 2, 2024 Father Seán Connolly Essay , Features , History 2 Print

As I prepare to lead pilgrims in a few weeks along a portion of the “ Camino de Santiago , the Way of St. James,” I discovered in my research the story of a Eucharist miracle that took place along this famed pilgrimage route. The connection between the Eucharist and pilgrimage is worth pondering on this feast of  Corpus Christi . The whole of the Christian life itself, can be likened to a pilgrimage, and our food for the journey is the nourishment we receive in Holy Communion.

Looking to the Old Testament, we can see how the wandering of the Israelites through the wilderness on their way to the promised land, is symbolic of man’s earthly pilgrimage toward Heaven.

Just as the Israelites crossed the waters of the Red Sea to be freed from slavery, by the waters of baptism we are freed from the dominion of demons and reborn as adopted children of God. After our liberation at baptism, like the Israelites, we still have a long journey to reach our destination which is the eternal promised land of Heaven. The Israelites grew weary with hunger along the way and God strengthened them with the nourishment of manna from Heaven. We too can grow weary on our earthly pilgrimage and throughout our lives can often succumb to sin and discouragement. God continues to nourish His adopted children, however, by feeding us with Bread from Heaven—His body and blood in the Sacrament of Communion. This is the “spiritual food” that strengthens us on our journey.

The miracle that took place along the pilgrim road to  Santiago de Compestela  was a mercy God bestowed upon a struggling priest filled with doubt. It occurred seven centuries ago, high in the mountains of Galicia in the remote hamlet of O Cebreiro. When the  Camino  became a phenomenon after the discovery of the relics of St. James in 813, O Cebreiro became a much-needed stop for shelter in the tempestuous mountain area. Pilgrims taking the most popular route along the “ Camino Frances , French Way,” will have journeyed for about a month by the time they arrive at this village. Their arrival marks the beginning of the final downhill stretch toward the tomb of the apostle.

A pilgrim’s hospice was established in O Cebreiro by the middle of the ninth century. In 1072, King Alfonso VI of León and Castile, elevated the hospice to the rank of a hospital and entrusted it to the care of the Benedictine monks of St. Geraud d’Aurillac in France. The church at the little monastery was known at the time as the Church of St. Benedict.

The most famous account of the miracle that occurred there comes from the  General Chronicle of the Order of St. Benedict  penned by the Spanish monk, Antonio de Yepes, who lived in the late 15 th  and early 16 th  centuries.

As the story goes, sometime around the year 1300, there was a monk at the little Benedictine monastery of O Cebreiro who lost his faith. The fulfillment of his duties, even the offering of Holy Mass, had long been rote and without devotion. When this struggling priest was tasked with offering Mass one miserable winter morning, he thought no one would dare show up through the snow and freezing wind. Much to his surprise, and even consternation, he saw a man in prayer waiting for Mass to begin as he arrived at the church. The man was a farmer named Juan Santín, who made his way from the nearby hamlet of Barxamaior. He must have been uncomfortable in his wet clothes as he knelt in prayer in the cold stone church. His spirits certainly weren’t lifted when he received a harsh scolding for being foolish enough to travel so far in a snowstorm for only, what the frustrated priest called, “a bit of bread and wine.”

The humble farmer must have been shocked and scandalized by having his faith belittled in this way. And by a priest of all people! He offered no response, however, and persevered in his intention by staying for the Mass. The priest, with all his doubts, was game enough at least, to begrudgingly take to the altar to begin celebrating Mass. He did so in the hurried and careless manner that had become usual for him.

When he came to the moment of consecration, a miracle took place that would cure his disbelief and reward the faith of the humble farmer.

The transformation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ at Mass is a mystery, as this change is not perceptible to our senses. Though the substance of the bread and wine truly becomes the body and blood of Christ, the Lord’s presence in the Eucharist is hidden under the species, or appearances, of the bread and wine. The mystery of the Eucharist becomes a miracle when this transformation is discernable to the senses.

Eucharistic miracles have been reported in different times and places throughout history. These occurrences can be considered a mercy of God to strengthen the faith of His people.

As the disbelieving priest pronounced the words of consecration, he was amazed to see the host in his hands physically change into a piece of flesh with droplets of blood falling upon the altar linens below. The wine in the chalice too, was visibly changed into blood. The farmer shared the priest’s wonder and awe at the sight.

The priest and farmer told all who had an ear to hear about the remarkable occurrence. The locals were convinced not only because of the relics of the miracle they were able to see with their own eyes, the flesh on the paten and the blood in the chalice but also because they noticed something different about the statue of the Mother of God that adorned the village church. Unlike before, the Holy Virgin now appeared slightly inclined towards the altar. The explanation they reasoned, was so she might have a better view of the miracle.

Word quickly spread throughout Europe as pilgrims passing through O Cebreiro learned of the miracle and shared news of it upon their return home. The village became a much-anticipated stop along the  Camino  for the many eager to behold with their own eyes the “ vestigium miracoli , traces of the miracle.”

A legend even developed that the chalice of the miracle was actually the same Holy Grail used by Christ at the Last Supper. This is likely due to linguistic confusion around the name St. Geraud—the spiritual father of the community of monks at O Cebreiro. In the Galician language of the time, he would have been called  Sant Gral , which would sound very familiar to “Holy Grail.” It is also believed by some that German pilgrims spreading word of the miracle of O Cebreiro upon their return home, inspired German iterations of the Arthurian legend about the character Percival’s quest for the Holy Grail, such as Wagner’s 1882 opera  Parsifal .

So revered was the miracle throughout Galicia that it is believed it also inspired the image of the host and chalice on the region’s coat of arms.

A second miracle is said to have occurred when Queen Isabella, like so many others before her, came to the village in 1486 as a pilgrim on her way to venerate the tomb of St. James. She was deeply moved by the story and wished to give greater honor to the precious relics of the miracle by moving them to a more accessible location than the little monastery high up in the mountains. When the royal entourage tried to depart the village, however, the horses refused to budge. Seeing this as a sign from God, they returned the relics to the monastery. The paten and chalice were displayed beside a silver reliquary donated by the queen that encased the piece of flesh and bloodied altar linens. In addition to this, the royals orchestrated the transfer of the monastery to the care of the Benedictines of Valladolid, in Castile, so it could be under their royal protection. For this reason and along with the veneration given to the image of the inclined Holy Virgin, the church came to be known as “ Santa  María la Real , Royal St. Mary’s.”

A year later in 1487, the truth of the miracle was certified by a papal bull of Innocent VIII.

In addition to the miracle, the village is known in more recent times for its parish priest, Fr. Elías Valiña Sampedro (1929-1989), who is credited for being the principal catalyst for the revival of the  Camino de Santiago  in the last half-century. After many years of studying and publishing on the history of the pilgrimage, he worked tirelessly to revive the practice, even personally traveling along the route and painting the now iconic “ fleche amarilla , yellow arrows” indicating the way to  Santiago de Compostela.

Don Elías did much for his village too. He restored nine  pallozas  in O Cebreiro that harken back to the ancient Celtic history of the region. Galicia is a historic nationality in northwestern Spain that takes its name from the Latin  Galleaci —an ancient Celtic tribe that populated the region before being conquered by the Romans. The Galician language split off from Latin in the early Middle Ages and is still spoken in the region. The  pallozas  are traditional homes built in a circular shape with granite or slate walls and thatched roofs from ancient Celtic times. One of them serves as a local anthropology museum for pilgrims to visit.

Don Elías also restored the ninth-century church of  Santa María La Real  where the miracle took place. Don Elías and the excavators found the meager foundations of the original church which fell into ruin after the monks were expelled in 1853 by an anticlerical government. The church was rebuilt from the ground up between 1965 and 1971. What remains of the original is only the baptismal font and of course, the relics of the miracle.

The stone church has a sober interior of three naves and a bell tower. Don Elías is buried in a grave at the foot of the altar in the chapel to the left of the main sanctuary. The chapel to the right of the sanctuary contains the relic of the miracle enshrined above the tabernacle. The paten and the chalice can be seen next to the silver reliquaries containing the piece of flesh and bloodied altar linens. To the right are two tombs that according to local tradition, are where the bodies of the priest and farmer who feature in the story of the miracle are laid to rest. Next to these tombs is the statue of the Virgin inclined towards the altar known as the “ Virgen del Milagro , Virgin of the Miracle.”

Like the pilgrims along the  Camino  spurred on by the uplifting story of this Eucharistic miracle, we too should receive encouragement from its message for our own earthly pilgrimage towards the heavenly homeland. The relics contained in O Cebreiro’s church are a visible sign of what we know by faith to be contained within the tabernacle below them. Through all the challenges of life, Christ’s promise to remain with us always is kept in the Holy Eucharist.

David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson,  The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook  (New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2000), 305-307.

Jean Mitchell-Lanham,  The Lore of the Camino de Santiago: A Literary Pilgrimage  Minneapolis, MN: Two Harbors Press, 2015), 133-134.

Curtis Williams, “ O Cebreiro : The greatest Eucharistic miracle you’ve never heard of…” Catholic Herald , June 24, 2021.

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Joy at the Presence of the Lord

Friday, May 31, 2024

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings for Today

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:39–42

The beautiful feast we celebrate today depicts two miraculous pregnancies. One came about by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. The other was the miraculous conception in the womb of a woman who was advanced in years. The Scripture passage quoted above presents us with the initial encounter of Mary and Elizabeth as they greeted each other upon Mary’s arrival. Mary had traveled a long distance to be with her cousin for the last few months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. And upon greeting Elizabeth, another miraculous event occurred. The baby in the womb of Elizabeth, Saint John the Baptist, “leaped for joy.” Thus, even prior to his birth, John began to fulfill his unique mission of preparing the way for the Lord. He did so at that moment by inspiring his own mother, Elizabeth, with a knowledge of the divine presence of the Savior within the womb of Mary.

Consider, especially, the conversations that these two holy women would have shared during their months together. Though we are given only a small insight into their initial conversation from the Scriptures, we can be certain that this was but a small sampling of what they would have discussed in much prayerful detail. In particular, their conversations would have contained a mutual sharing of the spiritual gift of joy.

Joy is much more than an emotion. It is spiritual in nature. It is not only an experience of something fun, it’s the experience of realizing the action of God in your life. Seeing God at work in wonderful ways leads to gratitude and rejoicing. This joy produces a strength and energy that is contagious and uplifting.

We must all strive to see the hand of God at work in our own lives so that our focus upon His divine actions will produce joy also. We need joy. We need to be strengthened by this gift so that we will be encouraged and strengthened as we daily strive to fulfill His will.

Reflect, today, upon the witness of joy that these two holy women give us. Know that you are called to share in the same joy as you humbly turn your attention to the ways in which God has blessed you. If you find that you lack joy in life, then consider where you allow your mind to wander throughout the day. Do you dwell on the past, on hurts, on problems and the like? If so, these thoughts will undoubtedly lead to depression and possibly even despair. Try to turn your mind to the action of God in your life. See the many blessings you have been given and savor those divine actions. Doing so will lead you to rejoice with Saint Elizabeth and our Blessed Mother.

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