— FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —
DETROIT, Michigan, August 10, 2016 — Following Pope Francis’ suggestion to make a pilgrimage during this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Catholic author Steve Ray and author and talk show host Teresa Tomeo, along with their spouses, are leading more than 70 pilgrims from 14 different states to Poland–the birthplace of Divine Mercy. From August 13-22, their pilgrimage with Footprints of God/Corporate Travel will include: the Immaculata City built by St. Maximillian Kolbe in Warsaw; the tomb of St. Faustina Kowalska, the “Secretary of Divine Mercy” in Krakow; the famous icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa; a church in an underground salt mine; and the home and birthplace of St. John Paul II. They celebrate Mass at Wawel Cathedral where he was ordained and celebrated his first Mass, and visit his relics at the new St. John Paul II Center.
Ray’s first trip to Poland was in 1985 when it was still under the iron fist of the Soviet Union. “Today, the Catholic faith is thriving and deep spirituality can be felt in the streets and especially in the churches,” he said. “What a joy to go again and again to a country that has tenaciously clung to the truth of Jesus Christ through over a thousand years of history.” According to Ray: “No one who goes on a pilgrimage like this ever returns the same.”
“I’m excited and honored to travel with my friend and fellow pilgrimage leader Steve Ray at such a crucial time in our world’s history,” Tomeo said. “We can learn much about standing up for religious freedom regardless of the cost, from the martyrs of Poland including St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, (Edith Stein) both of whom died at Auschwitz.”
While walking in the footsteps of many of the Divine Mercy saints, pilgrims will learn about the saints’ lives and the lives of the Polish people who were inspired by these great witnesses to stand up against Christian persecution. “My hope is that we all come back strengthened to make a difference in this election year where so much concerning our faith and country is at stake,” Tomeo said.
Ray and Tomeo are available for interviews before, during, and after this Divine Mercy Pilgrimage.
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