In Via

Come with us through the cobblestone pathways of Rome as Joan and her friend Jacob Stein, a Nebraskan turned Italian local, unveil the spiritual significance of the Roman station churches. With each step, we trace the footsteps of countless pilgrims throughout a storied 1600-year-old Lenten tradition, finding profound connections to the martyrs and the very roots of our faith.
Imagine the early morning walks to churches like St. Paul's Outside the Walls, a commitment that is shared amongst American seminarians and priests who study in Rome and the global Catholic community that calls Rome home. Jacob's own transformative experience with a station church during a high school pilgrimage ignited a passion that he now aims to share with the world, bringing Rome's solemn Lenten journey to life through the stories, photos, and videos posted on his platforms.
As we prepare for Easter, Jacob generously extends an invitation to a virtual tour of these hallowed grounds, an offering that complements our podcast with a visual embrace of Rome's holy spaces. In this time of Lent, we are reminded of the essence of fasting and the introspection it calls for. Let's walk this pilgrimage together this Lent, enriched by the history and beauty of Rome's station churches.
Jacob's work can be found
www.RomanStationChurch.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz7lOHRSsZiDBig_2jFZGDw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruxstationalis/
Facebook: facebook.com/cruxstationalis

Christine Wohar takes us deep into the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati as we anticipate his long-awaited canonization this summer during the Jubilee Year of Hope. As Executive Director of Frassati USA, Christine shares the fascinating story of how this young Italian man who died at just 24 years old continues to captivate Catholics worldwide with his remarkable ordinariness.
Born into a prominent family, Pier Giorgio's upbringing wasn't overtly religious. Yet despite living through World War I, the Spanish flu pandemic, and the rise of fascism under Mussolini, he developed extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist and service to the poor that ultimately led thousands to flood the streets at his funeral in 1925.
What makes Frassati particularly compelling is his relatability. He wasn't academically exceptional, faced family conflicts, and experienced relationship disappointments – yet chose holiness daily through faithful Mass attendance, acts of charity, and joyful friendship. His canonization miracle, involving the healing of a torn Achilles tendon, perfectly reflects this same accessibility – a reminder that God and his saints care about our everyday struggles, not just life-and-death situations.
Christine also shares personal stories of meeting Frassati's family, including his sister who lived to 105 years old, and reveals delightful behind-the-scenes details like the amusing story behind his beatification banner at St. Peter's. As we prepare to celebrate Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, discover why he's precisely the saint we need today – showing us that holiness begins with Monday mornings and ordinary moments, offering hope that amid our own everyday struggles, we too can become saints.

Join us for Pier Giorgio Frassati's canonization celebration this summer! Whether you want to take a group or you're just an individual looking for a trip, Verso Ministries can make that dream a reality. Visit versoministries.com/Jubilee for all our Jubilee dates and for more information.

For more on Pier Giorgio, check out:

A Man of the Beatitudes by Luciana Frassati

Finding Frassati: And Following His Path to Holiness by Christine Wohar

Why would a pastor include pilgrimage in his new pastoral plan? Join us as Father Thomas Haan shares with us what role he hopes pilgrimage will play in his suburban parish. We discuss the importance of encounter in religious formation, whether through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Eucharistic Adoration, or pilgrimage.
Listen as we share the transformative impact of pilgrimages, not only in awakening spiritual hunger but also experiencing the transcendentals of goodness, truth, and beauty, and broadening our horizons. There can be many reasons not to take a pilgrimage, whether it's our schedules, finances, or fear. But don't you want to show the Lord you sought him with everything you had?

Walking for hundreds of miles on pilgrimage sounds like the best and worst thing - and that's what attracted Angie Bosio to the Camino. In this unique episode, Angie sits down with us before and after her journey! She shares what she expects to be the best and worst parts of the trip - and returns to tell us whether she was right. She also reveals why she was doing the "minimum" - tune in to find out whether she regrets that decision.
Fresh from the Way, Angie recounts not only her experiences, but more importantly, the lessons she took away from the journey. From the awe of the pilgrim Mass and the botafumiero's swing, to the interior battles and the community that formed from shared adversity, prayer, and acts of kindness, Angie gives testament to the Camino's transformative power.
Join us for a conversation that not only explores a particular Camino but also pulls out of the particular a greater understanding of life's grand Camino.
You can find Angie and her saint magnets at www.angiessaintmagnets.com and on IG at @angies_saint_magnets.

Can you imagine ever thinking losing your luggage might be a ... gift? Connect with us as we engage in a rich conversation with Taylor, a two-time World Youth Day pilgrim. She recounts her captivating experiences in Panama and Portugal, sharing moments of joy, reflection, and even hardship, all through a lens of faith and spiritual growth.
Taylor found a balance between joy and introspection, learning lessons from her challenges that forced her to rely on others. A personal highlight for her was a hilarious, unexpected "disco moment" at a Chinese restaurant, illustrating that even in moments of spiritual journeying, there is a place for laughter and bonding.
Now, with two World Youth Days under her belt, Taylor is setting her sights on Seoul, 2027. Taylor's story is proof that faith is not a solitary journey but a shared experience.