Magnificent Journeys Taking Pilgrims to Holy Places TM Join us for our 20th Anniversary Pilgrimage SPRING 2020 VOL. 13 inRiver South France with excursions Cruise to Paris and Lourdes FLORENCE ROME MONTRÉAL JERUSALEM Founder’s Letter Dear Pilgrim Family, nother amazing year has Acome to an end. It is crazy to think that the second decade of the third millennium has come to completion. As I reflect on the many blessings of the past year, I am reminded of Luke 17:11-19. In this passage Jesus healed 10 lepers, and only one, the Samari- tan, comes back to thank Jesus. We should never be one of the nine who failed to ex- press gratitude. My husband, Ray, and I are so thankful for the many blessings and mir- acles with which God continues to grace our family, Magnificat Travel, and you, our pilgrimage family. A pilgrim who traveled to France with Immaculate Conception Church in Den- ham Springs, Louisiana, wrote to us saying, “Words cannot adequately express what this pilgrimage meant to my husband and me. We learned so much about the saints and realized what great examples of faith they are to us. The sites were beautiful and The Tregre Family gathers for the holidays (from top left): Andrew Tregre, Matthew Tregre, Evelyn the experience wonderful.” Tregre, Brandon Marin and Mike Templet. Front row: Alexis Tregre, Caroline Tregre, Ray Tregre, In 2019, we partnered with 44 Spiri- Amelia Tregre, Maria Tregre, Katie Templet and Charlotte Templet. tual Directors and Leaders as we coordi- nated and led 34 pilgrimages and missions around the world. Our 1,232 pilgrims and missionaries were inspired as they traveled to holy places in Israel, Italy, France, Portu- gal, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, England, Poland, Mexico, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Rose Caroline Rae California, Alabama, and New Mexico. It is such a privilege to walk with our broth- The year 2019 was a very special year ers and sisters as they grow closer to God to our family. We welcomed two grand- through pilgrimages and missions. Special daughters into this world: Charlotte Rose Brandon Marin and Evelyn Tregre thanks to our staff and the Magnificat Templet, born Feb. 28; and Caroline Rae Travel Escort Team who help make every Please join us in this Year of Grace as Tregre on Oct. 25. journey possible. we continue to walk together and build Our youngest daughter, Evelyn, an- Magnificat Travel will celebrate its the body of Christ through pilgrimages 20th Anniversary in 2021, and there are nounced her engagment to Brandon and missions. many exciting plans for the year. Our first Marin. We pray for a beautiful time of en- Pilgrimage River Cruise will set sail in Oc- gagement as they prepare for marriage in tober 2021 (see page 10 for details). April 2021. Maria Tregre 2 Magnificat Travel CONTENTS 5 Pilgrim Feels Call to Christ in Italy 8 One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church THE ETERNAL CITY: ROME SHATTERS 14 Prepare Your Heart (and Body) EXPECTATIONS for Pilgrimage Camille Domingue and her fellow pilgrims find the journey to Rome to be 15 Pilgrims Find Mercy, more fulfilling and inspirational than they Love in Poland 04 could have imagined. 16 March for Life Gives Hope for Change 17 Then I Learned 18 Magnificat Travel Supports Local Nonprofits 19 Special Thanks to Our A TRULY HOLY LAND: Spiritual and Group THE LAND THAT JESUS Leaders WALKED Deacon Leon Murphy feels the presence of God and a deep Magnificent Journeys connection to his faith while on 06 pilgrimage in the Holy Land. 13th Edition Maria Tregre, Publisher Elizabeth Hebert, Editor Bonnie Bollich, Editor Brenda Cooper, Cooper 8 20TH ANNIVERSARY Editor, Designer PILGRIMAGE RIVER CRUISE TO SOUTH Contributors FRANCE Jori Bercier Magnificat Travel has big plans for Camille A. Domingue its 20th anniversary year, with a Mary Dupre Pilgrimage River Cruise in South Anne-Christine Jagneaux 10 France with excursions to Paris Dcn. Leon R. Murphy Jr. and Lourdes. Gene Schwanbeck Lance Strother Copyright © 2020 Magnificat Travel, LLC DOMES AROUND THE WORLD ON THE COVER CELEBRATE THE Churches around the world share GREATNESS OF GOD a unique architectural feature symbolizing the greatness of God. Circles represent perfection, eternity, From Florence to Rome, Montréal to and the heavens; therefore, many Jerusalem, domes create majestic and churches are adorned with domes iconic churches. representing the greatness of God. 12 Magnificat Travel 3 Rome Shatters Expectations The Eternal I broughtCity back a lifetime of memories and graces, and a treasury of new friends who were truly “of one heart and mind.” And in shattering my expectations, my Rome pil- grimage reminded me of two things I sometimes forget as a Lafayette Catholic. First, I was reminded of the universality of the Church. At the papal audi- ence we attended, I sat next Pilgrims attend Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, cel- to a woman from Venice. Af- ebrated by Cardinal James Michael Harvey, archpriest of the Basilica. ter experiencing the event in its multi-lingual glory, we “The community of be- saics, paintings, frescoes, and parted with a hug and a lievers was of one heart sculptures that not only took kiss on each cheek (as the and mind” - Acts 4:32. my breath away but offered Italians do), each recogniz- That line of Scripture, de- nuanced lessons in theology. ing that our shared love scribing the earliest Chris- I had expected to learn for the Church and the tians, played through my mind a little about Church history; Holy Father surmounted all on the long plane ride from I was astounded at the ency- language barriers. Rome back to Lafayette. clopedic knowledge of our Second, my pilgrimage re- In the preceding nine two Italian guides, Francesca minded me of the durability of days, I had been privileged to and Vittorio, both of whom the Church. Touring the cata- travel to Rome with about hold advanced degrees in combs and hearing the sto- 40 other pilgrims, under the art history. ries of the persecuted fathers spiritual direction of Fr. Bryce I had expected to at- and mothers of the Church, I Sibley and with the assistance tend daily Mass; I was uplifted could not help but remember of Magnificat Travel’s Dea- each day by intimate, beautiful all the Church has endured con Juan Pagán. As I looked Masses, both the ones Fr. Sib- in her 2,000 years: martyr- around the plane at my wea- ley celebrated for us in small dom, corruption, schism, ry fellow travelers, I thought chapels in churches and cata- scandal, a lot of bad liturgy in about the many ways in combs, and in a glorious Mass the 1970s, but even so, she which our pilgrimage to the celebrated by Pope Francis at has survived. And that is be- Eternal City had shattered all St. Peter’s Basilica, the most cause God lives in Truth, and my expectations. awe-inspiring church. the Catholic Church contin- I had expected to see I had expected to sam- ues—in spite of the frequent beautiful churches; I saw ple classic Italian cuisine; in failings of its mortal mem- churches and basilicas of such addition to delicious pizza, bers—to teach that Truth. stunning grandeur that I was pasta, and gelato, I feasted Viva la Roma! humbled by their builders’ daily on joy and laughter at desire to magnify God’s glory. meals with fellow pilgrims. Camille A. Domingue I had expected to see fa- I had expected to bring Our Lady of Wisdom Church mous works of art; I saw mo- back a few religious trinkets; Lafayette, Louisiana TOP LEFT: Camille Domingue and fellow pilgrims take in the Eternal City by night. MIDDLE LEFT: Pilgrims sample Italy’s celebrated cuisine and enjoy fellowship that comes from sharing a delicious meal on pilgrimage. LEFT: Pilgrims experience a memorable Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. Pilgrim Witnesses PILGRIM FEELS CALL TO CHRIST IN ITALY he pilgrimage to Rome, After visiting Assisi, we TItaly, was more than I could headed to Rome, where we have imagined. The Biblical went to a Papal Audience. stories of Jesus came to life in There, I was a mere 8-10 endless paintings and frescoes feet away from Pope Francis! from St. Peter’s Basilica, the Seeing the Pope was the high- Sistine Chapel and many other light of the pilgrimage. I feel churches and chapels. blessed to have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- tunity to be close to our Church’s leader. I mentioned to Msgr. Ted my desire to see a painting, “The Calling of Saint Mat- Pilgrims take a moment to reflect and pray in the Choir Chapel of St. thew,” by Caravaggio, located John Lateran. in the Church of St. Louis of 33 steps that Jesus walked up pilgrims and the people of the French. He assured me when sentenced by Pontius Cross Catholic Outreach. As we would see it because it Pilate and to see a drop of in the words of the prayer wasn’t far from a planned — Jesus’ actual blood was an of St. Francis: Loving God, stop. In the painting, Jesus — unforgettable experience. help me to love more, forgive Gene Schwanbeck views the points at St. Matthew, a tax This pilgrimage exceeded always and be an instrument stunning dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. collector, who is counting my expectations and shifted of your peace. coins. I interpret this as Jesus my perspective on my faith. The first stop of our pil- pointing at any of us. He is It’s a vastly different experi- grimage was Assisi, Italy, the asking us to stop what we are Gene Schwanbeck ence to see everything with home of St.