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SBC2RCC
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Oct 19th, 2006 09:59 pm |
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As some of you know I worked as a truck driver for over a year. (now I work in a warehouse) During this time I was blessed to travel to 38 of the 48 states. As I went I sought out Catholic Churches to attend Mass or just pray. I also went to many shrines. These are located all over the country. We have many
saints who have been here in our United States. St. Elizabeth Seton was in PA and Maryland, and I went to several places that honor her. I was especially blessed to be able to visit the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville NY. Here St. Issac Jogues was tortured by the people he came to convert. He is pictured in statues with a finger missing as it was bitten off by the warriors. Even after escaping captivity, he returned to work with the people who tortured and eventually killed him. Rene Goupil was martyred for making the sign of the cross on a child's head. I prayed in the ravine where Jogues buried him.
I have also visited Our Lady of the Snows in Illinois, across from St. Louis, and
Marytown in the Chicago area. In Florida I went to St. Augustine and was very blessed to think of the work of the Church there in that oldest city. There is even a shrine to Our Lady outside Greer SC, built by the Vietnamese. These are everywhere, and it is a blessing to visit them.
Have you been to any of these shrines or others?
 I have attached a picture of me looking at the shrine from my truck. Also, check out the POLL.
Attachment: NYMonteCrosses.jpg (Downloaded 72 times)
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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bjbouwer
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 54 |
| First Name: | Bonnie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian Scientist, pinball Christian, RCC in 2006 |
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Posted: Thu Oct 19th, 2006 10:09 pm |
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hello Pilgrim Paul!
My first and only shrine so far was the Shrine of Divine Mercy - the one we see on EWTN every day. My dh and I have a timeshare right there in Stockbridge, MA -- we've been going for years, but until I became a Catholic last spring, I had no idea this place even existed. This year I couldn't wait to find it.
Bonnie in WI
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Bonnie in WI
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Thu Oct 19th, 2006 10:23 pm |
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| I have not visited shrines as such, except for the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. However, I have been able to visit cathedrals in England and Haiti, along with the grave sites of some English saints. My deepest spiritual experiences came in Haiti and in visits to the Rocky Mountains, where the majesty of God was laid out before me in a manner I could not have imagined. (Remember, I'm from South Louisiana where the closest thing we have to a mountain is a bridge over the Mississippi River.)
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Thu Oct 19th, 2006 11:49 pm |
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Monte, the shrines I have visited are rather distant from your former itinerary.
One I try to visit whenever I return to Oregon to visit my relatives is the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland. I remember my first visit there as a small child: the burning candles and beautiful organ music in the grotto impressed me greatly.
Another, much closer to home, is El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de San Juan del Valle in San Juan, Texas. This is a very modern basilica with Mexican style murals inside and out. Featured on its grounds is a life-size sculpted Way of the Cross. The priest who officiated at my wedding is currently vice rector there.
In the 1970s I was privileged to visit two shrines in Mexico: El Santuario de Cristo Rey del Cerro de Cubilete (on a high mountain in the geographical center of Mexico) and El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de San Juan (the prototype of the Texas shrine) in San Juan de los Lagos, Guanajuato. This last is a gorgeous baroque style cathedral covered inside and out with gold leaf.
David
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Oct 20th, 2006 09:01 pm |
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Thanks Bonnie, I really wanted to get to that Shrine in Stockbridge while I was traveling in my truck. I often went to Massachusetts, but never to that town unfortunately. Maybe someday.
As I traveled I was struck by the awe inspiring beauty of many cathedral and church buildings. I especially liked the Basilica in St. Louis. I was able to be there for Palm Sunday when Archbishop Burke celebrated Mass. I also went to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in D.C. and spent the whole day there and at the Pope John Paul II center up the street. Repeatedly I was able to stop on my way through Cincinnati and go to Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains. The Cathedral in Covington KY, across the river where the truck stops are located, is also a wonderful place to worship and pray.
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Oct 20th, 2006 09:09 pm |
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Along the lines of Rick's comment, I saw a lot that moved me that was not at a shrine, but rather, in meeting with catholics in towns and cities all over the country. I was greatly encouraged by their faith. Only in a few places was there cause for worry over people who seemed to have lost their commitment to the truth of catholicism. And where I saw this, I still saw some very faithful members praying and ministering and being salt and light.
In Omaha and in South Indianapolis I attended parishes that were in blighted areas, but the people were there in great numbers, packed pews, and very involved in the community being Jesus to their neighbors.
God is most definitely working strongly among his catholic people.
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Mon Nov 6th, 2006 02:19 pm |
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Hello Monte and Everyone Else,
I just watched a program on EWTN last night that featured the subject of Pilgrimages. I was so fascinated and drawn to what the main guest host, a priest, had to say about his pilgrimage to Spain. He walked 500 miles in 31 days, from France to a small town in Spain, to reach his destination. This priest said he dedicated his pilgrimage in honor to "His King." During the program, the other guests also commented on their pilgimage experiences as well.
They discussed the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage. The one thing that stood out to me is that one looks to see how much they can get out of a vacation. Did I get my money's worth, ie. was it fun, did I get enough "bang for the buck," was it trouble-free or did I suffer too many inconveniences, such as poor hotel service, bad restaurants with expensive food and poor taste? The list is endless.
During a pilgrimage, one is supposed to invest their heart into the experience and desire to learn from and grow closer to God. Inconvenieces are viewed as a way to depend even more on the sustenance of our Lord. One is supposed to come away with a renewed vision and hope in God. So it isn't so much what one looks to "get" from a pilgrimage but rather how much one desires to give and invest in the experience which will result in a closer walk with God.
I had the privelege to go to Israel 19 years ago, but if I had the opportunity to do so now, I would view it from a different perspective, one which is with renewed spiritual eyes.
God Bless You All,
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 814 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Mon Nov 6th, 2006 02:39 pm |
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I have not visited any shrines yet but I have visited all the original mission sights of the California Missions. It took me 3 years to get it done. One of them had only a part of a wall left. Another had part of a wall and the bell wall. Two others had some building foundation showing. The others had at least one building standing. Two of them had excavations going on by some college kids and their supervisors. We happened to be at one sight when they dug up an old mustache comb. I can't describe how excited the kids were! To tell you the truth, I was a little excited also. It felt like we were there as a witness to a moment in history! One was on an army base. The army was prepared to accept lots of visitors without much paperwork. They even allowed us to take our 5th wheel with us onto the base without an inspection of the rig. Some are being restored while others have been kept in excellent shape.
My wife, not a Catholic, enjoyed the trips as a vacation while I felt that I was getting in touch with an important part of the history of the Chruch in California. It has been a great experience for me and I hope to visit some of them again someday. 
Last edited on Wed Nov 15th, 2006 12:49 am by BodRod
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 289 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 12:28 am |
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Monte,
I am intrigued about the shrine in Greer. I live near Greer and I've never heard of it! Can you tell me the name? And the location?
Thanks!
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 289 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 12:39 am |
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BodRod,
That's great you have visited all of the California missions!!! I have only been to four, but they were incredible! It was actually in visiting Mission San Diego that I really got into my journey into Catholicism! I purchased a small Catholic prayer book at the gift shop there and began learning the prayers. Soon after my vacation out west I began attending a local Catholic Church and within a month I made an appointment with the priest to discuss conversion!
I really want to get back to CA to see the others!
Also on my trip I visited a mission in Couer D'Alene (sp?) Idaho. This was a fabulous place. It had many of the original things such as candle holders, etc. that the priest had hand made for the church from scrap metals. Truly an awesome place!
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 12:47 am |
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Well hello fellow southerner (?) I'm making an assumption, and can't say "carolinian" because I shall always remain a Georgian, as well as a son of the south. This is important to me, because so many in our parishes here are from up north, and agree with the locals that cahtolicism is a yankee thing. If you are not a southerner, please do not be offended. The point for me is that Catholicism is universal, and has a long history in the South.
Back to your question. The shrine is on Highway 14 headed north out of Greer toward Landrum. It is on the right or east side, and is behind a fence. There is a large statue. You may have to park on the side of the road.
____________________
In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 289 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 01:14 am |
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Thanks! I'll have to check it out! I have a friend that lives in Landrum, and I've taken 14 out that way before. It's been a few years since I've visited her though.
I am from SC. My family laughs at me though--they think they mixed me up with a Yankee baby in the hospital! Haha! Impossible--I look too much like my dad. (Even my husband, a Hoosier, remarks that he married a girl from the south that is not a "southern girl".) My whole family is Southern Baptist, and that's how I was raised. They just don't understand Catholicism, nor do they want to. But they accept that it's what I've chosen.
And I've rambled too long I know.
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 01:48 am |
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Is your comment about being swapped for a yankee baby a reference to your catholicism? Or are there other reasons? My entire family is Southern Baptist, and they seem to think I've left the planet.
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 814 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 06:22 am |
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Hi Monte,
<<they seem to think I've left the planet>>
Your comment reminds me of a statement a SB preacher said to me back when I was in school. He said, "Son, if you aint a Southern Baptist, you aint nuthin."
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 130 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 08:50 pm |
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"Your comment reminds me of a statement a SB preacher said to me back when I was in school. He said, "Son, if you aint a Southern Baptist, you aint nuthin."
Thanks for your reply and being able to relate. I'm sure people from each different denomination can share how they are sure that their group was most fanatically anti-catholic. From my experience, "Independent, Fundamental, KJV 1611 Baptist" are more so than SBC. Still Southern Baptists are given to such comments as you quoted. Often our (formerly) pastors and evangelists had a gift for hoof in mouth disease.
Monte
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In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Thu Nov 16th, 2006 02:04 am |
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<<I'm sure people from each different denomination can share how they are sure that their group was most fanatically anti-catholic.>>
Right. Most of us prefer to believe in what we do or what belong to. However, I do know of one person who admitted that he knew his church was wrong but that was where his friends were and so he would continue going there.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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