Pilgrim's Blog

What It's Like to Walk Through Ireland

What It’s Like to Walk Through Ireland…it was worth every second (yes, even with 43 people)

  How can I possibly write about the entirety of emotions, experiences, and epiphanies from leading a group of strangers for one week in Ireland in just a few paragraphs? I can’t, so I won’t try. But I’ll share the highlights. To start, Ireland is otherworldly....
New EU Visa Requirement

New European Visa Requirements Starting Early 2024. Are You Prepared for ETIAS?

You may have heard about a new “visa requirement” for US travelers to enter the European Union. While it is not technically a “visa requirement,” a new pre-arrival authorization is coming in 2024. If you are a US citizen traveling to the EU as a tourist, you will need this ETIAS documentation to enter. Here is what you need to know.

The Way of Mercy pilgrimage to Catholic Poland

The Way of Mercy: Pilgrimage in Catholic Poland – with Stephen J. Binz

Aside from being a prolific author, Stephen J. Binz is a seasoned pilgrimage leader. He has now led dozens of trips with Select International Tours, and his pilgrims consistently return with high praise for the care and attention he gives to all who travel with him....

Group Leadership: When God Asks You to Zip Up Your Suitcase

As I zipped my last suitcase shut the night before the first Catholic Feminist pilgrimage, I turned to my husband and with a typical-of-me overdramatic sigh, said I am never doing this again.  Our pilgrimage partner is the absolute best at ironing out details, so it...
To Be a Pilgrim, in Catholic Poland

To Be a Pilgrim, in Catholic Poland

As Divine Mercy is manifested throughout the universal Church, the spotlight continues to shine on the nation of Poland. Today, the people of Poland are hosting millions of evacuees from their war-torn neighbor, Ukraine—caring for them in their own homes rather than...

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

Do you have a pilgrimage story to share? Do you have some tips or tricks that might help pilgrims? We would love to see your stories and consider them for our blog.

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Holy Land Impressions by Rose Sweet

Holy Land Impressions by Rose Sweet

Back from our 10-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. My heart is still in another world even though my feet are in California.
I knew I would experience emotions, but I also knew not to force it. Just sit back and let the Lord speak to me. I was unprepared…

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We are Partnering with the Catholic Feminist Podcast

We are Partnering with the Catholic Feminist Podcast

Today, Select International Tours and Cruises is excited to announce our partnership with the Catholic Feminist Podcast. We understand that the word “feminist” is not usually associated with “Catholic.” Which is one of the reasons we are so excited about this partnership.

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The God Quest: Faith-Based Travel

Exploring the difference between taking a vacation and making a pilgrimage.

By Denise Bossert

One of my favorite Bible stories comes from the book of Ruth. It is the prototype for all faith travel. It captures the mysterious dynamic of the life-changing pilgrimage experience.

When one stands in Bethlehem and looks out over Shepherds’ Field, the stories rise to the surface and people of faith cannot help but stand in awe, remembering.

Standing there, you remember the angels who sang to shepherds in that field, announcing the Messiah’s arrival, but you also remember the things of the Old Testament: the fall of Jericho and Rahab who helped save God’s people. You think of her son Boaz and Bethlehem where he lived. Your mind goes to Naomi who left Bethlehem and traveled to Moab (Jordan) with her husband during a time of famine and settled there until her husband and both sons died. But mostly, you think of Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law. Ruth provides us with a glimpse into the mystery of pilgrimage, what it is, how it changes us, the gifts it yields.

After Naomi lost her husband and sons, she returned to Bethlehem along with Ruth.

Ruth’s words to Naomi become the mantra of every pilgrim. Ruth looks over her shoulder at what she is leaving behind, and then she locks her eyes on Naomi and says, “Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

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