Virtual Tours Of The Shrine

For those who haven’t been able to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine yet, or are perhaps thinking of planning one in the near future, we loaded two Virtual Tours onto the Blessed John Paul II Shrine website earlier this week.

The first is of our chapel, where we hold daily Liturgies and prayers, and where visitors can venerate the relic of Blessed John Paul II.

The second is of our “Be Not Afraid” exhibit, which gives an exclusive look at our past exhibit on the life and legacy of Blessed John Paul II. Some of these artifacts will be displayed in the permanent exhibit, slated to open mid-2014.

We hope you enjoy these sneak peaks!

St. James, the Patron of Pilgrims

Today is the feast of St. James the Apostle, brother of the beloved Apostle, St. John.  On his Apostolic Journey to Spain for the 4^th World Youth Day, Blessed John Paul II recited this prayer before the tomb of St. James:

St James!
Behold me here, once again, beside your tomb
which I approach today, a pilgrim of all the pathways of the earth,
to honour your memory and implore your protection.

I come from luminous and perennial Rome
to you who became a pilgrim, following the footprints of Christ
and who brought his name and his voice
to this farthest part of the earth.

I come from Peter's side
and, as his successor, I bring to you,
to you who, with him, are a pillar of the Church,
the fraternal embrace that traverses centuries
and the song which resounds firm and apostolic in its catholicity.