Regular readers may remember the recent review of The Alchemist here, which also touched upon the unique biography of author Paulo Coelho. The book Coelho wrote before The Alchemist was The Pilgrimage, a story about his walking the Camino de Santiago which led him to...
Hubertus, Wisconsin — A view of Wisconsin's fall colors from the scenic tower at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill.Footage of our visit is included in the video above, shot for Amy's...
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Our nephew, Ian Thrasher, graduates from eighth grade at St. Joseph Interparish Junior High School, shaking hands with keynote speaker and St. Joe's alum Lisa Halverson.
It is funny how a few random details, repeated together over time, can solidify into a ritual which becomes essential to your psychological comfort. This is one of mine — the 1961 movie King of Kings and its main theme music, written by Miklós Rózsa. I grew up...
Montalcino (Siena), Italy — The Chiesa della Madonna del Soccorso (Church of Our Lady of Help) on Viale Pietro Strozzi, at the northwest edge of the city.
Florence, Italy — The west side of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) is seen at dusk from street level on the Via de' Pecori. Obscured at left is the Battistero di San Giovanni, and behind that is the dome of Florence...
Florence, Italy — The east side of Giotto's Campanile (bell tower) is seen from atop the dome of Florence Cathedral (the Duomo — or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore). Designed by the early Italian Renaissance painter and...
Siena, Tuscany, Italy — Siena Cathedral, designed and completed between 1215 and 1263, with its façade and the bell tower of black and white marble.
Paia, Maui, Hawaii — Statue at the shrine honoring Father Damien of Molokai, who spent over 16 years ministering to victims of leprosy (Hansen's disease) at the leper colony on Molokaʻi, and ultimately contracted and died...
Honolulu, Hawaii — The bronze Father Damien Statue by sculptor Marisol Escobar at the Hawaii State Capitol.
Paris, France — The Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur ("sacred heart"), viewed from the base of the butte Montmartre in the evening. Along its railing, people are gathered to gaze at the Paris skyline.
Paris, France — Notre Dame Cathedral, west facade: The tympanum of the Portal of Saint Anne, the rightmost and earliest of the cathedral's three western portals. Depicted are the enthroned Virgin with Child, visited by the...
Paris, France — West façade of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris), with its 31.5-foot rose window at center, dating from about 1225, behind the Virgin with Child between two angels. Under the...
Paris, France — West façade of the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. One of the finest examples of French Gothic church architecture, the cathedral is located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité, in the fourth...
Reims, France — Notre-Dame de Reims (Our Lady of Reims), the Roman Catholic cathedral where the kings of France were once crowned, and the seat of the Archdiocese of Reims. Construction on this cathedral began shortly after...
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Chapel window at St. Catherine's Hospital, 3556 7th Avenue.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — St. Catherine's Hospital, 3556 7th Avenue, at dawn.
Waterford, Wisconsin — A Virgin Mary statue and a resting deer figurine decorate a headstone in Saint Thomas Aquinas Cemetery.
Union Grove, Wisconsin — St. John's Catholic Church, 1501 172nd Avenue.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish procession through Kenosha's Columbus Park neighborhood during the church's annual festival in Columbus Park.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Sign displayed outside the convent of St. Casimir Church on Washington Road: "Blessed Virgin Mary, please pray for us," flanked by two American flags.
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Founded in 1849 as a largely German parish, St. George Catholic Church merged with St. Casimir in 1996 to form St. Elizabeth Parish. The parish rectory, seen here, is located at 4804 7th...
Kenosha, Wisconsin — Founded in 1849 as a largely German parish, St. George's Catholic Church merged with St. Casimir in 1996 to form St. Elizabeth Parish. The church, erected in 1875, is seen here facing 8th Avenue adjacent...