The Saints: Fortresses of Faith – Podcast

 So what is meant by “fortresses” of faith? Much like the castles of medieval times, the saints serve as very visible guideposts, help us orient ourselves, and can even offer refuge in times of trouble. In this 7 minute podcast from the Sonrise Morning Show with host Anna Mitchell, Dr. Italy discusses the essential place of Mary and the saints in the Church and in our lives. He details how this pilgrimage down the Rhine river and the unique places that will be visited can bring bring us a deeper understanding and connection to some of our amazing brothers and sisters in heaven.

The Rhine cruise: renowned for castles. People always love to see them. In the middle ages, people loved to live in or near them – they were places of refuge. And they were reference points to help you keep your bearings, their spires visible from long off.
My grandfather and Susan’s grew up in Italy in the shadow of a castle.

As Catholics, the Lord is our ultimate refuge. But he has given us many fortresses of faith – the saints.

Why do I do pilgrimages to Europe? Because all of us need to become acquainted with the magnificent fortresses of faith that are the saints. Everywhere you go, you bump into them, and have the chance to learn about their inspiring stories.

On our last pilgrimage, we encountered St. John Paul II, St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Edith Stein, and Blessed Franz Jagenstatter.
Our next pilgrimage on the Rhine will include Saints Edith Stein, Hildegard of Bingen, Albert the Great, and Boniface.
Did you ever associate St. Ambrose with the Rhine? He was born there. How about the bishop of Egypt, St. Athanasius? He was exiled there for a few years. How about St. Jerome who ended his life in Bethlehem? He had his conversion to radical discipleship and a monk in the Rhine region. Would you imagine that the Apostle Matthias’s bones would be there? How about the tomb of the 3 Wise Men?

That’s why we are going.
Recent news of the consistory of Cardinals is interesting. But who represents the Church really & truly? It is Mary & the Saints. They are its bulwark and glory, after reading the scriptures and frequenting the sacraments, We need to spend more time learning the lives of the saints . . . they help us keep our bearings.
So, a challenge – come with us if you can and make new friends . . . saints, your brothers and sisters that perhaps you didn’t know much about.

And a challenge for all – when’s the last time you read or watched the story of a saint?

Banner/featured image by Cederic Vandenberghe on Unsplash. Public domain.