by Dawn Bentz | Oct 9, 2024 | Pilgrimage to Italy 2024, Uncategorized
Over the past year, I’ve had the unique privilege of serving as a guide for many pilgrims from across the United States as they visit Rome and the many churches, basilicas, shrines, and tombs of saints here. As a seminarian in the Eternal City, it’s easy...
by Vianney Vocations | Oct 4, 2024 | General, Pilgrimage to Italy 2024
Hello friends. My name is Blake Thamer and I am a first-year seminarian at the North America College in Rome. I have been in Rome now for about 10 weeks. Over that time I’ve studied eight weeks of Italian, had an orientation, and had a weeklong silent retreat,...
by Vianney Vocations | Oct 3, 2024 | General, Pilgrimage to Italy 2024
On Wednesday we were privileged to attend Mass in St. Peter’s square where Pope Francis presided over opening the session of the Synod on Synodality. He passed close by us in the pope-mobile and blessed the crowd. Our walking tour began at the colosseum and...
by Vianney Vocations | Oct 1, 2024 | General, Pilgrimage to Italy 2024, Seminarians
In the Heart of the Church by Andy Sanchez Power. Glory. Victory. These are perhaps some of the words that one might use when they look upon the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. To the pilgrims of the Archdiocese of Portland, there was something deeper. At first I...
by Vianney Vocations | Sep 30, 2024 | General, Pilgrimage to Italy 2024
Early Tuesday we rode the busses from Sienna to Orvieto. The walled town of brick and stone is on the top of a hill. We took a rail tram to the top and a shuttle bus to the Cathedral with a façade that leaves you breathless. Not only that, but there is a eucharistic...
by Vianney Vocations | Sep 29, 2024 | General, Pilgrimage to Italy 2024
Our visit to Florence was a study in Renaissance art and history. The art and architecture that developed there has influenced the world. It is also a busy city with many tourists and markets. The leather market was a favorite among our group. We were blessed with a...
