Brothers and Sisters, It is my pleasure to invite you to join in a pilgrimage to Italy. A religious pilgrimage is a grace-filled opportunity to join together in prayer, both in gratitude for blessings received, as well as in petition for the continuing growth in holiness of our Church. We will have a unique opportunity to be in Rome during a Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church which presents the opportunity for special graces throughout the pilgrimage. Some things to look forward to in the Eternal City will be visiting the famous Coliseum and Carcere Mamertino where St Peter was imprisoned. We will also plan to have an audience with the Pope in St. Peter’s Square (pending his availability), in addition to visiting the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Basilica. There will be a guided tour of the Cathedral of Saint John Lateran where the Pope has his Cathedra. Six Popes are entombed here. Next door is the Holy Staircase (Scala Santa), brought from Pilate’s Palace in Jerusalem by Saint Helena in the 4th century. During our pilgrimage, May 17, 2025 will mark the 100th Anniversary of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux’s canonization and to commemorate this momentous occasion of the Greatest Saint of Modern Times, we will celebrate Holy Mass at The Church of Santa Teresa di Gesu Bambino in Panfilo which is named after her. Afterward, we will go to Siena, the home of Saint Catherine and visit one of Italy’s finest squares, the Piazza Del Campo and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis. Speaking of Saint Francis, we will also go to Assisi, the home of Saint Francis who remains one of the most famous and beloved saints ever. And then, among the most significant places that can be visited in the world is Loreto, where is kept the Holy House where Jesus lived and was raised by the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. This is only a sample of the priceless experiences that pilgrims who join me on this journey will get to savor. I hope you will consider this most special gift to yourself and join me as we embark on a pilgrimage that promises to offer not only a journey of faith, but also time for prayer, meditation, and enjoyment. As space is limited, reservations should be made as soon as possible. Peace and God bless, Father John Wright