What is a 'Spiritual Pilgrimage'? The Pilgrim Center of Hope's Ministry of Pilgrimages explains their unique program. Visit www.pilgrimcenterofhope.org for more information.

1. Introduction to Spiritual Pilgrimage
Organized by Deacon Tom & Mary Jane Fox, directors
The Pilgrim Center of Hope: A Catholic Evangelization Ministry in the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Ministry of Pilgrimages
7680 Joe Newton Dr. San Antonio, TX 782451
phone: 1.210.521-3377 / dtmjfox@pilgrimcenterofhope.org
Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox have traveled to the Holy Land over 40 times since 1984; their
experience and relationship with the Mother Church in the Holy Land are an important part of the Holy
Land pilgrimage. 2011 marks their 27th anniversary in taking groups to the Holy Land!
WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
GOD TOUCHES OUR LIVES IN MANY WAYS, but when we seek Him with fervor, we are making an
eternal investment which will have everlasting rewards. A pilgrimage is such an investment. It is a
journey of faith that not only benefits us as individuals, but it is also good for the whole Church, which
we know as the „Body of Christ‟.
A PILGRIMAGE IS A CALLING, IT IS A VOCATION, and the response is from the heart and mind, an
act of the will. It is with this in mind that pilgrims traveling on pilgrimages build up the Body of Christ
through prayer, through the participation in daily Mass, various devotions, as well as visiting with the
local church.Fr. Gerald Vann, in his book, Heart of Compassion, says, “the salvation of many depends on
the prayers and penances of Christ‟s faithful and on the part they play in sharing His work.”
A PILGRIMAGE TAKES YOU not just around the world, but inside yourself. Pilgrimages are also very
much for the individual person; because it is a journey of faith with a motive to grow closer to God and to
seek spiritual renewal.
PILGRIMAGES HAVE spiritual, mental, physical & social benefits:
• Opportunity for a new vision of one‟s life & relationship with God
• Experience an encounter with the Risen Lord
• Discovery of the rich history of the Church
• New cultural experiences
• Occasions to practice acts of charity & develop an attitude of tolerance and patience
THE SEVEN WAYS pilgrimages affect a pilgrim:
• The sense of identity • The sense of effort
• The sense of friendship • The sense of one‟s body
• The sense of Truth • The sense of God
• The sense of Beauty
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2. THESE ARE EXPERIENCED and made aware during the pilgrimage. Our human person must be
transformed by our pilgrimage on earth. Why did God lead His people for a long pilgrimage in the desert?
Why did He choose to start the renewal of humanity with Abraham and with Mary, by a pilgrimage? Isn‟t
it because a pilgrimage is unique experience which involves all the dimensions of our person: the sense of
our identity, the friendship, the research of truth, the sense of art, the virtues, the body, the adoration? Our
human person can really be transformed by a pilgrimage. - Fr. Thomas Joachim, Congregation of St. John
WHAT IS A ‘SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE?’
AT THE PILGRIM CENTER OF HOPE, we invite those who cannot physically journey with us on
pilgrimage to unite with us spiritually on a „spiritual pilgrimage.‟ Spiritual pilgrimage unites you with the
entire Church, particularly with the local Catholics!
AS YOU SEND YOUR PRAYER INTENTIONS TO US, we offer them at the holy sites. Throughout
our journey, we “carry” your concerns, worries, prayers of thanksgiving, and other intentions as we
retrace the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each day of the pilgrimage, we invite you to learn about the
holy places that we encounter each day through our website. Meditate upon the events that took place at
each site. Allow the reality of each place to renew your Faith. As a spiritual pilgrim, you journey with us
in spirit, sharing in the graces that we receive. Come, journey with us.
“LET US SET OUT IN THEFOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST!” - Blessed Pope John Paul II
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