This week, we sat down with Sue Montalbano, the previous coordinator of tours and hospitality at the University of Notre Dame’s Sacred Heart Basillica. Get ready to uncover the hidden stories behind the thousands of visitors welcomed to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. From her stories of spontaneous visitors to the organized chaos of football weekends, Sue shares how she managed volunteer tour guides, created meaningful tour scripts, and ensures each vi...

In this episode, we’re circling back with award-winning writer and artist Ben Hatke to check in after his round-the-world adventure. Inspired by Phileas Fogg’s “Around the World in 80 Days,” Ben embarked on a bold plan to circumnavigate the globe using (almost) only surface transportation.In our conversation, Ben shares about some emotional moments, like the last few miles on familiar railroad tracks, and his adventurous eastward route. You’ll hear about a spontaneous 30-hour train ride in Ka...

Ever wondered how a pilgrimage could transform your life? Meet Danielle Schmitz and Matthew Heidenreich, two inspiring young adults who embarked on the Eucharistic Revival's National Eucharistic Pilgrimage across the United States. This episode of In Via uncovers their emotional and spiritual journey, starting from the initial application process through the summer of their walk with Jesus. Travel with them along the Marian route, from the headwaters of the Mississippi in Minnesota to Indiana...

How can a pilgrimage equip us for mission? Come along this week as we meet Father Dan Dorsey, president of the Glenmary Home Missioners. Glenmary establishes a Catholic presence in some of the most impoverished and racially diverse areas of the Southern United States. In this episode, we talk to Father Dan about Glenmary's recent civil rights pilgrimage, inspired by Bryan Stevenson's book, "Just Mercy." The journey took participants to historically significant places like Birmingham, Mo...

While many people have walked the Camino as pilgrims, what is it like on the other side – serving pilgrims? In this episode, we welcome Greg Shurman, a retired middle school history teacher and devoted father, who shares about both his experiences walking and helping pilgrims on this ancient pilgrimage. Greg takes us through his journey along the Camino Frances and the Camino del Baztan, reflecting on the spiritual enrichment and profound connections he encountered along the way. His stories ...

What lessons lie in the ancient text of the Book of Tobit? Dr. Gary Anderson, Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Thought from the University of Notre Dame, joins us to unravel the profound themes of charity, sacrifice, and faith found within this captivating Biblical narrative. Explore how Tobit's acts of corporal mercy, such as feeding the hungry and burying the dead, foreshadow teachings in the New Testament and align with early Christian views on social justice. Drawing parallels with the...

What if the secret to spiritual growth lies within the pages of children's literature? Journey with us as we uncover the profound wisdom embedded in C.S. Lewis's "Chronicles of Narnia." Joined by Dr. Lenny DiLorenzo from the University of Notre Dame, we promise an exploration that will leave you viewing these classic tales through a new, spiritually enriched lens.Dr. DiLorenzo shares his fascinating journey leading to his current role at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, revealing his de...

In this episode, award-winning writer and artist Ben Hatke shares his latest adventure: a pilgrimage back home. Inspired by Phileas Fogg’s “Around the World in 80 Days,” Ben embarked on a bold plan to circumnavigate the globe using (almost) only surface transportation. With the historical precedents set by Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, Ben talks about how modern challenges impact such a journey. His adventure started by leaving one door of a Virginia farmhouse kitchen... and will en...

Can liturgy truly transform our everyday lives? Join us on "In Via" with Dr. Tim O'Malley from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame as we explore the profound connection between worship and daily existence. Dr. O'Malley shares his rich expertise in theology, liturgy, and education, revealing how the McGrath Institute aims to bridge the gap between academic theology and the Church's practical needs. We delve into the incarnational worldview of Catholicism, emph...

What new best friend is just waiting to inspire you? Join us as we chat with Meg Hunter-Kilmer, affectionately known as the "hobo for Christ" and the "saint ninja." Meg shares her transformative journey from living out of her car for 12 years to settling in South Bend, and how she went from uninterested in saints to being a passionate storyteller of their incredible lives. Discover how a single book changed her entire outlook, connecting the dots between the stories of saints and their person...

This week, we welcome Katie Bogner, a Catholic school teacher and author who is passionate about religious education and catechesis, both in the classroom and in the home. Through her website, social media, and written books, she makes cultivating a Catholic culture in the home attainable and accessible. Katie has also developed resources for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the Eucharistic Revival.This episode isn't just a conversation; it's an invitation to weave pilgrimage into the ...

In today's episode we continue our discussion of the history of pilgrimage, this time heading over to England. Our guest is Father Philip Connor, a parish priest from Cumbria in the northwest of England. Father is a self-described addict of pilgrimage, and he shares tales of faith and devotion from medieval England to the modern resurgence of pilgrimages. Our paths cross with iconic figures such as St. Thomas Becket, exploring sites like Canterbury and Walsingham, where history and spirituali...

In this week's episode, we talk with Will Peterson from the Modern Catholic Pilgrim about the National Eucharist Pilgrimage. This historic Eucharistic Procession will cross the United States over nine weeks, with four different routes meeting in Indianapolis for a Eucharistic Congress. We talk to Will about the behind-the-scenes intricacies of coordinating this vast endeavor, from the careful orchestration of 65 dioceses to the pivotal roles of the young adult perpetual pilgrims. Will ou...

Venture with us down the storied paths of the Camino de Santiago as Kevin Banich,  principal of Roncalli High School and social studies teacher at heart, takes us through the history of this ancient pilgrimage.  Its history begins in Jerusalem with the Apostle James, but how do we end up in Spain? Tun in to find out.   We examine the milestones that marked its history: the discovery of St. James's tomb, the papal directives that codified the pilgrimage', and the majestic cathedral that awaits...

In the latest episode, Dr. Timothy O'Donnell, beloved professor and current president of Christendom College, joins In Via for a captivating discussion. Together, we delve into the profound allure and historical richness of Rome as a pilgrimage destination. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and Dr. O'Donnell's scholarly expertise, we explore the deep connections between family, education, and faith, while contemplating the universal journey that binds us all. From the sacredness of St....

As we continue our miniseries on the history of pilgrimage, we turn to Mike Aquilina, an author who brings the writings and lives of the early Church Fathers alive. In our conversation, we explore pilgrimage as imitation of Christ and the witness of the early saints in the Holy Land. We consider how we know the location of the Gospel sites and the power of oral tradition, entrusted to early Christians by figures like the Blessed Mother. With figures like Melito of Sardis, Jerome, Paula, and...

Join us as  we talk with Dr. Bergsma, a former Protestant pastor turned Catholic scholar, about the history of pilgrimage and how we got here.  Discover how Jesus Christ embodied the fulfillment of ancient Jewish feasts and how their rhythms harmonize with the Christian liturgical calendar. We invite you to journey with us, uncovering the profound legacy of pilgrimage and its eternal call to draw nearer to the heart of God. Whether you're a seasoned pilgrim or simply curious about the...

Come with us through the cobblestone pathways of Rome as Joan and her friend Jacob Stein, a Nebraskan turned Italian local, unveil the spiritual significance of the Roman station churches. With each step, we trace the footsteps of countless pilgrims throughout a storied 1600-year-old Lenten tradition, finding profound connections to the martyrs and the very roots of our faith.  Imagine the early morning walks to churches like St. Paul's Outside the Walls, a commitment that is shared amongst...

Why would a pastor include pilgrimage in his new pastoral plan? Join us as Father Thomas Haan shares with us what role he hopes pilgrimage will play in his suburban parish. We discuss the importance of encounter in religious formation, whether through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Eucharistic Adoration, or pilgrimage. Listen as we share the transformative impact of pilgrimages, not only in awakening spiritual hunger but also experiencing  the transcendentals of goodness, truth, and...

Walking for hundreds of miles on pilgrimage sounds like the best and worst thing - and that's what attracted Angie Bosio to the Camino. In this unique episode, Angie sits down with us before and after her journey! She shares what she expects to be the best and worst parts of the trip - and returns to tell us whether she was right. She also reveals why she was doing the "minimum" - tune in to find out whether she regrets that decision. Fresh from the Way, Angie recounts not only her...

Join us as we talk with renowned art historian, author, and tour guide Liz Lev. Liz has been working as a guide in Rome and the Vatican for over 20 years - in this discussion, you'll quickly see why she's the most sought-after guide to the Vatican Museums. We discuss the evangelizing power of beauty and the attempt to blunt that power (along with where the guilt lies for allowing that to happen!).  While looking at the difference between tourists and pilgrims, Liz reframes pilgrimage as a...

We often think of Advent as waiting for the Lord to come, but perhaps we can also flip that image: rather than seeing it as waiting for the Messiah to find us, can we also see it as a journey for us to find the Messiah? This week's guest is Carolyn Pirtle, program director at the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy in the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. We look at the counter-cultural season of Advent, what it means to be in a posture of waiting, the work that...

Has the Holy Land been on your heart and mind in the past months? Join us for an in-depth discussion with our special guest, Jenna Streich, who called Jerusalem home while she studied abroad in 2018. Jenna's unique perspective and experiences shed light on the beauty that is the Holy Land, not just as a historical or tourist site, but as a vibrant community brimming with culture and people whose lives and communities today are as interesting and worthy of exploration as the Holy Land's...

To go on pilgrimage means to be open to surprises! In this episode, I chat with Rachel Gilman, the  director of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Rachel and I talk about her experiences both in Italy and on World Youth Day. We revisit Rachel's profound encounters with the churches, saints, and relics of Rome, plus the epiphanic moment she had in a quiet, empty church in Lisbon.  Join us as we discuss the significance of being open to the small gifts from God and the lessons...