Towards Our Eternal Home.

Palm Sunday, the kickoff to Holy Week, draws large crowds, perhaps surprisingly, for the tangible palm branches they receive. Observing Holy Week in Milan's Ambrosian Rite revealed its unique liturgical traditions, particularly in its chronological approach to Gospel readings. The Roman Rite, in contrast, features two Gospel readings on Palm Sunday, including the Passion narrative, to emphasize the link between Christ's triumph and suffering. These different approaches highlight the rich diversity within Christian liturgical practices.

Effective teaching requires more than subject mastery; it demands a willingness to reflect, adapt, and innovate. As I review my experiences from the past academic year, I turn to Ken Bain’s research on transformative learning to evaluate my methods and consider improvements. Bain’s work challenges educators to move beyond content delivery, fostering deep, meaningful engagement with students.

This is a guide for pilgrims in Europe.

Discover the purpose of your life through a pilgrimage. Encounter God through the sacraments, fellow pilgrims, saints, and art. Stepping out of your comfort zone is necessary to find your unique plan. Remember, life without a purpose is like a journey without a destination.

Preparing our soul, body, and pack for pilgrimage is crucial for a meaningful and successful pilgrimage. By improving our prayer routine, collecting prayer intentions, and practicing sacrifice, we can strengthen our spiritual preparation. Learning about the places we will visit and preparing our body through a walking plan and proper footwear can help us physically endure the trip. It is also important to pack light, bringing only the essentials and avoiding items we cannot afford to lose, and to arrange our phone data plan in advance. By leaving work behind and setting up an out-of-office message, we can maintain our focus on the pilgrimage. Overall, by preparing ourselves holistically, we can fully embrace the journey and experience the transformative power of pilgrimage.

If you're preparing for a pilgrimage, it's important to pack wisely to ensure a fulfilling and comfortable journey. In this article, I've curated a list of essential items that will enhance your pilgrimage experience, all of which are included in my comprehensive Packing List.

The Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, dating back to the 12th century, is the oldest and most important church in Lisbon. Its architecture is a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, with twin towers and a rose window. It is home to the famous cross of St. Anthony and the reliquary containing the remains of St. Vincent. It is located in the Alfama neighborhood and provides stunning views of the city and the Tagus River.

St. Anthony, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, became a popular preacher in Padua after joining the Franciscan Order in 1220. He is a patron of the poor and invoked for the return of lost property. The Church of St. Anthony, located in Lisbon's Alfama district, was built in the 18th century after the original chapel was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.