Dear Faithful Friends,
In the spirit of our shared Catholic faith, I warmly invite you to join me on an extraordinary spiritual journey, “From Brescia to the Heart of Italy with Fr. Larry Hostetter” from September 20th to September 30th, 2025. This 11-day pilgrimage through Italy promises to be a profound exploration of our rich Catholic heritage and the beautiful Italian culture that has nurtured it for centuries.
Our pilgrimage begins in the Eternal City of Rome, where we will walk in the footsteps of countless saints and martyrs. We’ll have the blessed opportunity to visit the magnificent basilicas of Santa Cecilia, San Francesco a Ripa, and Santa Maria in Aracoeli, each steeped in history and spiritual significance. The Vatican Museum will open its doors to us, allowing us to marvel at the artistic treasures that have inspired the faithful for generations.
From Rome, we’ll journey to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, whose humble example continues to guide us today. In nearby Gubbio, we’ll recount the miraculous story of St. Francis taming the wolf, a testament to the power of God’s love to transform even the fiercest hearts.
Our path then leads us northward to fair Verona, a city of romance and faith, before we arrive in Desenzano, the birthplace of St. Angela Merici. Here, we’ll reflect on her dedication to education and the formation of young women in the faith. The picturesque town of Sirmione will offer us a moment of tranquil beauty along our spiritual path.
Finally, we will reach Brescia, a city that holds special significance for us as the namesake of our beloved Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. This visit will be particularly meaningful for those among us from the university community, as we connect with our institution’s Italian roots and draw inspiration for our continued mission of education in the Catholic tradition.
Throughout our journey, we will celebrate daily Mass, share in prayer, and grow together in faith and fellowship. This pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and with one another, as we experience the living history of our Catholic faith. To read more about this amazing opportunity and to register, please visit https://tri.ps/MxKqp.
I invite you to open your heart to this call and join me on this transformative journey. May Our Lady guide us as we prepare for this pilgrimage, and may God bless us with safe travels and spiritual growth.
In Christ’s love,
Father Larry Hostetter, President
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