Dear Friends of Pilgrim George,

New to the blog site are the welcomed addition of Pilgrim George's Pilgrimage Journal of 2008 and his 2009 Itinerary, including a map of his intended route.  They are formatted as PDF files and can be located in the Box files on this page (just above), and on the main page, at www.raeshomepage.bravehost.com (within the box files on that page), as well!!!  Please take the time to check them out. 

--Rachel Baer   

This is the itinerary (a map is included in the pdf file)

PILGRIMAGE 2009

Our Lady of Angels

 

 

 

"Jerusalem in miniature.  A sight to behold."
"Ave Maria Grotto, known throughout the world as "Jerusalem in Miniature,"  is a beautifully landscaped, four-acre park designed to provide a natural setting for the 125 miniature reproductions of some of the most famous historic buildings and shrines of the world."....(for more, visit the web site at

http://www.avemariagrotto.com/

Our Lady of Angels Monastery
3224 County Road 548
Hanceville, Alabama USA
35007

"The medieval 13th century-style architecture of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery along with the awe-inspiring Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament would seem to be more at home in Old World Europe than in the farmland of rural Alabama.
Home to the Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Adoration, a cloistered Franciscan order, the monastery was built by Mo

ther Angelica, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network. The Monastery and Shrine church along with the nearby Castel San Miguel visitors center is nothing short of breath-taking. The monastery's public area has a reception desk, where an attendant is available to answer visitor's questions. Much of the monastery itself remains hidden behind the imposing splendor of the Shrine which the Order describes as "a Temple consecrated to Almighty God, open to people of all faiths."
 

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1PTB
http://www.olamshrine.com/

My wife and I had the fortune to meet Pilgrim George today, in Beaver County Pennsylvania. And I must say it was a humbling honor to meet such a person of faith. In this world today, it is very rare to come across someone of such great faith as we had today. We were coming back from errands and as we were driving up 3rd street beaver, right past St. Peter and Paul, there was this individual walking up with cross in hand, wearing a blue denim robe. My wife and I always keen to meet new and interesting people felt that we had to turn around just to meet this individual.

What a charming man he was. Talkative and friendly, and most importantly sincere.

We were blessed and honored by God through our Lord and Saviour Yeshuah of Nazareth to be able to eat a small meal of hot dogs from the Hot Dog Shoppe in our truck with this kind soul and talk about our Journeys in the Way (although I think in my excitement I talked his ear off).

Even in his prayers over the meal, I got a sense of sincerity that I rarely encounter amongst those who call themselves Christian.

I Thank God that my wife and I were able to be a part of this man's journey if even for a little bit, and that divine providence put us at the right place at the right time in order to meet with this fine man.

I wish him a good a safe Journey and know that each step will be guided and guarded by the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua of Nazareth. Such a person is an inspiration to us all about what it means to be of the Way.

I met Pilgrim George today as he walked by my home, which is about 30 miles north of Steubenville, OH. My driveway is long, but as I watched this figure pass, I could make out the cross at the end of his staff.

I almost just shook my head and let him pass by, but felt an overwhelming urge to go see if this man needed anything. My thought was that this could be some homeless individual that needed help with food, cash, or some other mercy that I could possibly grant, and as a United Methodist pastor, and more importantly, a Christian, I am called to help those I encounter that are in need.

So I got dressed quickly, jumped in my car, and caught up with him, offering any assistance he might need. He asked if I might be able to help him make his way to Steubenville; he had an appointment with someone at the Fransiscan University there. I was glad to offer him a ride, and we had a fantastic conversation about his travels and testimony, all of which ultimately leading to how God is to be glorified in our lives, and how Pilgrim George has chosen to do so in his life.

It was a blessing to meet him, and to hear some of the stories he shared with me as we made our way there. I almost wish I had walked with him instead of driving, just to hear more!

Pilgrim George has walked thousands of miles, been ridiculed, beaten, and even stoned (yes, stoned!) in his journeys, but his testimony to me was how God has used him to remind people of Christ's love for us, and how, so often, we understand that God orders all things for our blessing and encouragement, even to the point of bringing a man that is dressed in a patwork bluejean alb, a staff, an icon, and a bible past your home when you're not feeling so happy.

I feel priveleged to have met him, talked with him, and prayed with him, but I am very confident that, if asked, Pilgrim George would merely point his finger towards God rather than bringing any glory to himself. So then, Glory to God, and I thank the Lord for to

It was a pleasure meeting him today! I saw him walking past my home, about 30 miles north of Steubenville.

I drove by and stopped to talk with him, offering him any help he might need, and ended up giving him a ride to Steubenville. On the way, we had a fantastic conversation about some of his experiences over the years, and I was blessed by his humble faith and testimony.

We prayed together when we arrived at the church, and I believe we were both blessed by our time in the presence of the Lord.

His farewell was a simple "I'll see you at the end of the journey", and I do indeed look forward to that day, for one more of many reasons now.

Steve