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Europe
Catholic Treasures of Switzerland photo gallery
Say “Switzerland,” and you’re more likely to think of mountain chalets than historic cathedrals. But the country has many Catholic treasures worth visiting. Though the Reformation had a strong impact here, many parts of the country resisted…
Experience Rome
One of the highlights of Catholic Digest’s Shrines of Italy and Shroud of Turin pilgrimage is, of course, the audience with the pope in Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica is the heart of the Church. It is packed with history, art, and stunning…
See the Lateran Basilica on our Spring Tour
Catholic Digest’s Shrines of Italy and Shroud of Turin pilgrimage brings you to the most ancient cathedral in Italy—the Basilica of St. John Lateran. It is the oldest of the four patriarchal basilicas of Rome, the site once occupied by the…
More Gelato Please
This morning our pilgrimage group had Mass in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, just a few feet away from the tomb of St. Peter. At Mass, Fr. Tom talked about Jesus picking an unperfect man to build his Church. Despite all his mistakes,…
My Home is in the Church
On my first trip to Rome I remember walking with my family through the streets. I didn't know where we were going, but I just followed along, lost in conversation. All of a sudden we walked through a colonnade, walked down a few steps and…
The Most Precious Art in Florence
After Assisi, we made a special stop in Florence to visit the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the baptistry and experience some of the Catholic art of Fra Angelico. Fra Angelico was a Dominican friar and an Italian painter of the early…
The Courage of St. Clare
Last time we asked the question, who is the real St. Francis, but we should also ask the same question about St. Clare. I didn't know a lot about St. Clare before coming on this trip. Clare was drawn to the mission of St. Francis, but St.…
Where It All Began
The feast of Transitus is the celebration of St. Francis' entrance into eternal life. The place where St. Francis died, also known as the Transitus chapel, is housed within the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. St. Mary of the Angels was…
Your Lives Will be Changed in Italy
"Open your hearts, embrace the graces, and let your life be changed." Those were the words of Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, to the young professionals on the opening night of the Italy…
Catholic Digest Live Blogs from Italy!
In the October 2014 issue of Catholic Digest we announced that I will be traveling to Italy on a young professionals pilgrimage with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist on October 1-11. And I would like to share our experiences with all…