Through the support of our generous donors, our seminarians are embarking on a transformative journey of faith to trace the sacred footsteps of St. Paul on a pilgrimage like no other. This extraordinary journey will immerse seminarians in the rich tapestry of history and spirituality as they walk the path of the Apostle Paul through Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
This pilgrimage is more than a historical reenactment; it’s an opportunity for introspection, prayer, and spiritual growth. This is not just a journey—it’s an opportunity to deepen faith, and a chance to connect with the roots of Christianity.
You’re invited to join our seminarians on this sacred expedition by following along and read their blog throughout their journey.
Their travel schedule is as follows:
- Turkey (November 15 – December 1)
- Greece (December 1 – 6)
- Italy (December 7 – 18)
Pilgrimage Blog Posts
-
Final Day in Rome, Sweet Rome
Today was a day filled with both lasts and adventures: last-minute visits to churches we haven’t seen, visiting saints’ relics for the last time, and doing any last-minute shopping before we head to Assisi.
-
End of One Journey, and Start of a New One
Today, we visited the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and the Basilica of St. Paul, followed by the opportunity for some personal sightseeing and prayer in the afternoon.
-
America’s Pastime and the American Pope
We began our third day in Rome with an early breakfast, then got on the road for the Vatican. Excitement was in the air! Our commemorative baseball jerseys were packed and ready to go.
-
Vatican Garden, Museum, and Sistine Chapel
Our second day in Italy was marked by beautiful highlights. We started the day with a moment where all the seminarians gathered together to pray our Morning Prayer together, thanking the Lord for this new day and getting us ready to learn about these places.
-
Postcard from Rome – The Eternal City
After two weeks tracing the footsteps of Saint Paul across the ancient landscapes of Turkey, followed by a week immersed in the sacred memory of Greece, we have finally arrived in Rome—the Eternal City, the heart of our faith, and the center of our pilgrimage.
-
Rome Sweet Home
This morning, on the second Sunday of Advent, we began the day with a brisk walk through Athens to the Chapel of Saint Joseph which was in a shopping mall near the hotel.
-
United, We Stand; Divided, We Fall
While there were no stockings bearing gifts hung up at our hotel, we were blessed with the gift of a beautiful day on this feast of St. Nicholas after the 48 hours of downpour.
-
Altar to an Unknown God
We began our day with a bus tour of Athens, finishing at the Acropolis and the Areopagus. Unfortunately, the tour came with plenty of rain.
-
Tear down their Altars! (1 Mac 2:45)
How often do we take time to consider the the world around us or even the world within us? Well, today was quite the opportunity to do so for me. Not much beyond sitting on a bus happened this rainy day in Greece.
-
Caritas Christi Urget Nos
St. Francis Xavier is often depicted with his heart on fire, demonstrating the consuming love for Christ that drove his missionary efforts in which he claimed more that 30,000 souls for Christ through the saving waters of Baptism.
-
Our Day in Thesolonica
We started our day today at an overlook of Thesolonica. There we had an amazing view of the whole city.
-
Our First Day Spent with the First Baptized in Europe
The start of a new liturgical year also marks the start of the next portion of our journey with St. Paul.
-
The Journeying from Turkey
These are the many things that run through our heads and hearts today as we prepare ourselves for the next part of our Pilgrimage.
-
Imagine You’re on the Way to Nicaea…
After yesterday’s excitement with Pope Leo, we started today with morning prayer and a simple Mass in the basement of our hotel.
-
Pope Leo
This morning, we left Bursa at 5am to head to Istanbul to see the Pope!
-
Beach Landings & Bursa
Happy Thanksgiving! Having briefly paused our journey with St. Paul (We’ll catch up with him again in Greece), we turned to spend a day dedicated more to secular history.
-
Light of the World
After yesterday’s late evening return from Ephesus, we started today’s pilgrimage with an “upper room” Mass at our hotel – we turned the rooftop restaurant, which was closed until lunchtime, into our early morning chapel.
-
Behold Your Mother (Jn. 19:27)
We left our hotel in Izmir this morning for a day trip to the ancient cities of Miletus and Ephesus.
-
Into the Wilderness We Go
As I write this post, we are a week into our pilgrimage following in the footsteps of St. Paul.
-
Praise be Jesus Christ, Now and Forever
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. What words can capture the grandeur and majesty of our God, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe?
-
Classical Arts and Recreation
We spent the night in Antalya, where St. Paul departed from after his first journey in 48 AD. This morning, we had Mass at St. Nicholas Church.
-
Whirling and Traveling
This morning began with a gift: the chance to celebrate Mass in a local church – only the second time we’ve been able to do so during our pilgrimage.
-
Floating on By
We woke up in the early hours of the morning with great expectation. We weren’t sure if it was going to happen or not.
-
Earthworks and Spelunking
What a day! Our adventures started even before the first destination. The bus ride was filled with absolutely gorgeous views of the rugged terrain of Cappadocia.
-
Fountain of Health
We started the day early at 3:30 in the morning, local time. We had to be up at this hour because we had a flight from Istanbul to Adana that departed at 7:00. The security at the airport was quite surprising.
-
Istanbul or Constantinople?
After leaving Mundelein Seminary, we traveled 22 hours to reach Istanbul at around 6:30 last night, our first destination for the 2025 Mundelein Pilgrimage following the Footsteps of Saint Paul.
Past Pilgrimages
-
Final Day in Rome, Sweet Rome
Today was a day filled with both lasts and adventures: last-minute visits to churches we haven’t seen, visiting saints’ relics for the last time, and doing any last-minute shopping before we head to Assisi.
-
End of One Journey, and Start of a New One
Today, we visited the Catacombs of St. Callixtus and the Basilica of St. Paul, followed by the opportunity for some personal sightseeing and prayer in the afternoon.
-
America’s Pastime and the American Pope
We began our third day in Rome with an early breakfast, then got on the road for the Vatican. Excitement was in the air! Our commemorative baseball jerseys were packed and ready to go.
-
Vatican Garden, Museum, and Sistine Chapel
Our second day in Italy was marked by beautiful highlights. We started the day with a moment where all the seminarians gathered together to pray our Morning Prayer together, thanking the Lord for this new day and getting us ready to learn about these places.
-
Postcard from Rome – The Eternal City
After two weeks tracing the footsteps of Saint Paul across the ancient landscapes of Turkey, followed by a week immersed in the sacred memory of Greece, we have finally arrived in Rome—the Eternal City, the heart of our faith, and the center of our pilgrimage.
-
Rome Sweet Home
This morning, on the second Sunday of Advent, we began the day with a brisk walk through Athens to the Chapel of Saint Joseph which was in a shopping mall near the hotel.
-
United, We Stand; Divided, We Fall
While there were no stockings bearing gifts hung up at our hotel, we were blessed with the gift of a beautiful day on this feast of St. Nicholas after the 48 hours of downpour.
-
Altar to an Unknown God
We began our day with a bus tour of Athens, finishing at the Acropolis and the Areopagus. Unfortunately, the tour came with plenty of rain.
-
Tear down their Altars! (1 Mac 2:45)
How often do we take time to consider the the world around us or even the world within us? Well, today was quite the opportunity to do so for me. Not much beyond sitting on a bus happened this rainy day in Greece.
-
Caritas Christi Urget Nos
St. Francis Xavier is often depicted with his heart on fire, demonstrating the consuming love for Christ that drove his missionary efforts in which he claimed more that 30,000 souls for Christ through the saving waters of Baptism.
-
Our Day in Thesolonica
We started our day today at an overlook of Thesolonica. There we had an amazing view of the whole city.
-
Our First Day Spent with the First Baptized in Europe
The start of a new liturgical year also marks the start of the next portion of our journey with St. Paul.
-
The Journeying from Turkey
These are the many things that run through our heads and hearts today as we prepare ourselves for the next part of our Pilgrimage.
-
Imagine You’re on the Way to Nicaea…
After yesterday’s excitement with Pope Leo, we started today with morning prayer and a simple Mass in the basement of our hotel.
-
Pope Leo
This morning, we left Bursa at 5am to head to Istanbul to see the Pope!
-
Beach Landings & Bursa
Happy Thanksgiving! Having briefly paused our journey with St. Paul (We’ll catch up with him again in Greece), we turned to spend a day dedicated more to secular history.
-
Light of the World
After yesterday’s late evening return from Ephesus, we started today’s pilgrimage with an “upper room” Mass at our hotel – we turned the rooftop restaurant, which was closed until lunchtime, into our early morning chapel.
-
Behold Your Mother (Jn. 19:27)
We left our hotel in Izmir this morning for a day trip to the ancient cities of Miletus and Ephesus.
-
Into the Wilderness We Go
As I write this post, we are a week into our pilgrimage following in the footsteps of St. Paul.
-
Praise be Jesus Christ, Now and Forever
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. What words can capture the grandeur and majesty of our God, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe?
-
Classical Arts and Recreation
We spent the night in Antalya, where St. Paul departed from after his first journey in 48 AD. This morning, we had Mass at St. Nicholas Church.
-
Whirling and Traveling
This morning began with a gift: the chance to celebrate Mass in a local church – only the second time we’ve been able to do so during our pilgrimage.
-
Floating on By
We woke up in the early hours of the morning with great expectation. We weren’t sure if it was going to happen or not.
-
Earthworks and Spelunking
What a day! Our adventures started even before the first destination. The bus ride was filled with absolutely gorgeous views of the rugged terrain of Cappadocia.
-
Fountain of Health
We started the day early at 3:30 in the morning, local time. We had to be up at this hour because we had a flight from Istanbul to Adana that departed at 7:00. The security at the airport was quite surprising.
-
Spring/Summer 2023 Vol. 61:2
The Holy Spirit at Work in the Church: Theoretical and Practical Dimensions
-
2022 | 2023 | Chicago Studies
Fall 2022/Winter 2023 Vol. 61:1
The Church in the World: Evangelization and Liturgy
