Month: December 2018
As we begin the New Year, we look forward to celebrating many Saint Days. Here are just a few of our favorite January Feast Days.
The Feast of Mary, the Mother of God – January 1
January 1st, New Year’s Day, is a Holy day of Obligation in the Catholic Church as we celebrate the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, also known as the “Solemnity of Mary”. The feast celebrates and honors Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. Once celebrated as the Octave of the Nativity, the feast has been celebrated for the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for centuries.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton – January 4
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is the first American Saint. Born in New York City in 1774, Elizabeth Ann Seton went on to establish the first Catholic School for Girls in the United States, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She is the patron Saint of Catholic Schools, and the State of Maryland. She was canonized by Pope John Paul VI in 1975. Her remains are entombed at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, which can be visited on a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the East Coast.
Saint Genevieve of Paris – January 3
Saint Genevieve is the Patron Saint of Paris credited for protecting and saving the city of Paris through prayer on multiple occasions. Born in 419 AD, Saint Genevieve died in 512 AD, and is buried at Saint-Etienne-du-Mont. Visit Paris on one of our many Pilgrimages to France.
Saint Sebastian – January 20
Saint Sebastian is the Patron Saint of Soldiers, Archers, and Athletes – and is worshiped as a protector against plague. Persecuted for his faith, he was famously tied to a tree and shot with arrows, which he survived. Saint Sebastian was born in Narbonne, France, and died in Rome in 288 AD. Saint Andrew’s Basilica in Arthunkal India is a major 16th-century international Shrine built in his honor. He is also known as “Sebastian of Milan”, or simply as “The Martyr” and his Feast day is celebrated on January 20th.
Celebrate the New Year with these Saints in mind!
The Cathedral of Saint-Etienne or Cahors Cathedral in France is an eleventh-century Roman Catholic Cathedral that holds a remarkable relic of Christ’s Passion, the Sainte Coiffe. This relic is a headdress or cloth that was used during the burial of Jesus. The Sainte Coiffe is also commonly referred to as the Holy Coif, the Holy Cap, or the Holy Headdress. This relic is rarely shown to the public however in 2019 Pilgrims will have the special honor of seeing the relic in person.
The Cathedral, built by Bishop Gerard de Cardaillac, was consecrated in 1119 by Pope Calixto II. 2019 will mark the Cathedral’s 900th. Starting on April 14, 2019, the Cathedral will exhibit the relic of the Sainte Coiffe prominently at the doorway of the Cathedral so that Pilgrims will be able to view it immediately upon entering. The details of the exhibit are still being finalized however the Cathedral will be open each day from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm and the exhibit will run through December 8, 2019.
The Sainte Coiffe was given to Charlemagne who then gave it to the Bishop of Cahors in the year 803 –the Cathedral was later built over a small seventh-century Church built by St. Didier of Cahors. The Sainte Coiffe shows blood stains that match the stains that appear on the Shroud of Turin.
The “Holy Coif” is made of eight layers of gauze that were used around Jesus’s head and chin to secure His lower jaw in place. Hebrew tradition states that blood is holy and that all blood should be collected and buried along with the deceased. The Holy Coif, along with the sudarium of Oviedo (two face cloths), the veil of Manoppello (image of Jesus’ face on a cloth), and the napkins of Kornelimuenster (a large burial cloth and an ornate burial cloth) were all linens used in the burial process, preparing Jesus’s body for burial before wrapping His entire body in Shroud of Turin. *Source
With so many influential and important Catholic sites to see all over the world, it may be cumbersome to figure out how to visit them. A great way to visit these Shrines, Basilicas, and Churches is to embark on a group Pilgrimage for an equally educational and spiritual experience. Though many may think independent travel is more luxurious or preferable, we find there are innumerable benefits to group travel – here are just a few:
1. No Stress
From the moment you book a group tour, you are like a passenger in a car – and think of your tour company like a chauffeur. Simply sit back and enjoy the ride! The tour company handles all pieces of the planning process – booking hotels, arranging travel, creating an itinerary, and even selecting the restaurants. This takes all the stress off you so you can simply focus only on getting the absolute most out of the Pilgrimage, rather than worrying about researching, getting directions, or reading reviews.
2. Knowledgeable Guides
Having a knowledgeable local Catholic guide will provide you with “Confidence” – Confidence that you will tour all the highlights or “must-see” sites of your destination; Confidence that your guide will explain the significance and history of every Holy site you visit; Confidence that your guide will ensure your comfort and safety; Confidence that you will not get lost or be unable to communicate with locals; and Confidence that you will experience this place as the locals do. Having confidence in your guide will allow you more freedom to explore and learn about each site you visit following in their lead rather than figuring your own way.
3. New Friends & Unbreakable Bonds
When a group of people share any experience, they become bonded by that unique happening. This is especially true of Pilgrimages, as they are a deeply spiritual and transformational experience. Furthermore, when on a Pilgrimage, you are immediately immersed into a group of like-minded people, bonded through faith and similar interests. A Pilgrimage is the perfect place to form new friendships and lifelong bonds.
4. Built in Budget
While travel is expensive, booking a group tour gives you a built-in budget. Because group tours are often arranged as a package, you can rest assured knowing that there will be little to no surprise expenses during your trip since everything included in your package has been paid for upfront, making it easier to keep track of spending, and stick to a budget.
5. Daily Mass
While on Catholic Pilgrimage, the tour operator arranges your entire itinerary prioritizing daily Mass – taking away the stress of having to worry about fitting Mass into a day packed with sightseeing, or finding a church where you can pray comfortably.
To learn more about the benefits of group travel, check out,
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