Virtual Catacombs Tour - Google Maps

(CNS photos)

Destination: You have to travel no further than your computer for a tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla and of Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, both located in Rome. A collaboration between Google, the Vatican and private owners of the Ipogeo site has resulted in a virtual tour of the catacombs you can take from your home.
Why to go: Nearly 8 miles of tunnels are part of the tour of the Catacombs of Priscilla, and the catacombs of the Ipogeo di via Dino Compagni, located in southeast Rome are privately owned and not open to the public, so the virtual mode is the only way to visit them.
The map (left) shows part of what you might see on Google Maps when you start the tour. The inset photo shows an image that will appear on your computer, use the large arrow at the bottom to navigate around the page. The image (right) is another view of the catacombs.
How to go:  Type the name of either catacomb into your favorite search engine or directly into Google Maps. You should see options similar to the one  in the large image above. Click on See inside to begin your tour.
You’ll need to click and hold your mouse on the screen to navigate around the rooms and tunnels. An arrow will appear on your screen (see inset above) when you can move into another room. You’ll need to release your mouse to click on the arrow, then wait for the image to focus again before clicking and holding your mouse again to “turn around” in the room or hallway.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you feel at all intimidated by the virtual tour process, invite the grandkids in to help you.
Info: https://www.google.com/maps

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Blessed John Paul II Relic - Peoria, Illinois

(Photos provided)

Destination: A first class relic of Blessed John Paul II is arriving in the Diocese of Peoria soon for a short visit. You’ll only have two chances to see the relic, Nov. 18 and 19.
Why to go:  The relic — a vial of Blessed John Paul II’s blood encased in a golden book of the Gospels  — is being brought to Peoria by the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It is “the official relic used in advancing his cause for canonization,” according to Bishop of Peoria Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, in a letter to Bishop David J. Malloy.
The Diocese of Peoria is one of just three dioceses to host the relic; the other two are in Florida.
“Our celebration with his relic not only honors the memory of this great man,” Bishop Jenky says, “but also prepares our local church to celebrate his future canonization.”
The canonization of Blessed John Paul II, along with Blessed John XXIII, is set for April 27, 2014, at the Vatican.
Photos show the Cathedral of the immaculate Conception in Peoria (above) and the John Paul II Catholic Newman Center in Normal (below).
Visit details:  Nov. 18, 2013 — A Votive Mass, during which the relic will be displayed, will be offered at the cathedral at 7:15 p.m. After the Mass, you will have an opportunity to individually venerate the relic. Holy cards with Blessed John Paul II’s image will be given out to be touched to the relic, thus creating third class relics.
 Nov. 19, 2013 — Mother Adela Galindo, foundress and superior of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will travel with the relic to the ISU Newman Center and will speak to the students at 6:30 p.m. A rosary is planned, with refreshments to follow.
(Grand) Kid friendly: If you can bring children or grandchildren, it will be a rare opportunity to learn about relics of the saints.
Info: Address: The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 607 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603 Phone: 309/682-5823 Web: http://www.cdop.org/pages/ACathedral.aspx
Address: John Paul II Catholic Newman Center: 501 S. Main St., Normal, IL 61761 Phone: 309/452-5046 Web: http://www.isucatholic.org/blessed-john-paul-ii-relics.html

- Compiled by Amanda Hudson
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Basilica Shrine of St. Mary - Wilmington, North Carolina

(CNS photo/EWPhotography,
courtesy Diocese of Raleigh)

Destination: The Vatican has recognized the history of St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington, N.C., and its prominent place in the Catholic community and the wider community by designating it a basilica. Raleigh Bishop Michael F. Burbidge announced that the church, dedicated in 1912 by Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore, will now have the title of the Basilica Shrine of St. Mary.
Mass is offered at 5:30 and (English) 7 p.m. (Spanish) on Saturday; 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. (all English), and 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) on Sunday; 7:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Why to go:  St. Mary is a minor basilica, one of about 70 in the United States. A church designated as a minor basilica must be a center of active and pastoral liturgy with a vibrant Catholic community. The Wilmington basilica also  has unique historical and architectural importance.
Pope Pius IX created the apostolic vicariate of North Carolina in 1868. St. Mary Church was designated a pro-cathedral when it was dedicated in 1912, although it did not become the cathedral for the Diocese of Raleigh, when it was established in 1924.
Fashioned in the Spanish Baroque style, its features include a central dome, as well as twin towers, with each tower capped by a cupola. The church seats 485 people. In addition to the main altar, it has two other altars, dedicated to St Anthony and to the Sacred Heart.In 1974, the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1994, it was recognized by the American Institute of Architecture and Religious Art. In 2005, the city of Wilmington named the church a local historic site.
Amenities: A gift and book store is open 4-7 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m-1 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Accessibility: There are some steps to negotiate.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an active parish attached to a school, so kids are always welcome.
Info:  Address: Basilica Shrine of St. Mary, 412 Ann St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Phone: 910/762-5491. Web: http://thestmaryparish.org

 - Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Maternity BVM Parish - Bourbonnais, Illinois

(Observer photos by Sharon Boehlefeld)

Destination: There are several reasons you might be in the neighborhood of Maternity BVM Parish in Bourbonnais. You might pass it on the way to Bears Camp next summer. You might be in the area for the Sugar Creek Symphony and Song opera festival, an August event. Or you might at anytime be on a personal pilgrimage to visit important places in the life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Any option is good reason to visit the parish or go to a weekend Mass.
Mass is offered at 7:30 a.m. weekdays; 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and 7:15, 9 and 11 a.m. Sundays.
In the photo (right), a plaque on a sundial near the grotto includes the name of Fulton J. Sheen. His college class donated the sundial to the parish (left).
Why to go:  The lovely interior of the 1850’s church, its French history clear in its design, has recently been refreshed. The parish traces its history to 1837 when priests began to say Masses for early French-Canadian settlers. Eventually, the first parish became the campus church for St. Viateur’s College (later Viator), Archbishop Sheen’s alma mater. History rooms behind the altar feature cases of artifacts and lots of framed photos and other memorabilia. Father Richard Pighini, CSV (in photo at top), has recently begun a drive to replace the church organ to ensure the parish’s tradition of excellent liturgical music remains intact.
Accessibility: There are a few steps to negotiate, but the grotto is level.
(Grand) Kid friendly: It’s an active parish attached to a school, so kids are always welcome.

Info:  Address: Maternity BVM Church, 308 E. Marsile St.,  Bourbonnais, IL  60914. Phone: 815/933-8285 Web: www.mbvmchurch.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Notre Dame des Cyclistes Chapel - Labastide-d’Armagnac, France

(CNS photos/Regis Duvignau, Reuters)

Destination: If you plan an active vacation in Europe, you may want to include Notre Dame des Cyclistes (Our Lady of Cyclists) chapel in France.
The website doesn’t list Mass times, so you may need to plan for that elsewhere.
Why to go: Father Joseph Massie, a cycling enthusiast, founded the chapel in 1958. It was declared a French national shrine for cycling and cyclists under the protection of Mary by Pope John XXIII. The chapel includes a collection of cycling memorabilia (top). The chapel is a popular stop for pilgrims who cycle through France on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Accessibility: It’s a bikers chapel, but if you can drive there, you can probably get inside. The chapel is open to the public May 1-Oct 15, but hours are limited: in July and August, 10 a.m.-noon (except Sunday and Monday) and 3-6 p.m.; in May, June, September and October, 3-6 p.m. (except Monday).
(Grand) Kid friendly: Cyclists of any age are welcome.

Info:  Address: Les Amis de Notre Dame des Cyclistes, Maison de la Culture, Place Royale, 40240 La Bastide D’Armagnac, France. Phone: 05-58-44-67-56. Web: www.notredamedescyclistes.net. (Note: The site is in French, although some browsers will translate the home page to English. Some English information is available at http://cartemarialedumonde.org/en/sanctuary/notre-dame-cyclistes.)

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld; CNS contributed to this story
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Joseph Apache Mission - Mescalero, New Mexico

(Photos/www.stjosephmission.org)

Destination: St. Joseph Apache Mission Church is a historic church in Mescalero, N.M., that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
Masses are celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and “usually celebrated Tuesdays through Fridays at 12 noon in the side chapel,” according to the website.
Why to go: When Father Albert Braun, OFM, came to Mescalero, N.M., as a young friar in 1916, he saw a need to replace the old adobe church that served its Apache parishioners. But his work was delayed when he went to Europe as a chaplain during World War I. When he returned to New Mexico, in 1920, with only $100 of Army pay in his pocket, he began working to build a neo-Gothic stone church. With help from volunteers — ranging from an architect to his fellow friars — the church was completed using local stones and timber. It is undergoing renovation, a project that began in 1999 and continues today.
The mission is owned by the Diocese of Las Cruces and operated by Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara.
Accessibility: Parking is near the front door. The church is open daily and visitors are welcome.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are always welcome.
Info:  Address: St. Joseph Apache Mission, 626 Mission Trail, P.O. Box 187, Mescalero, NM 88340. Phone: 575/464-4473. Web: www.stjosephmission.org and https://sbfranciscans.org/ministry/st-joseph-apache-mission

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

St. Anthony Relics, St. Anthony of Padua Parish - Rockford, Illinois

(Observer file photo)

Destination: As part of the 750th anniversary of the discovery of the remains of St. Anthony of Padua, the Rockford parish named in his honor will host two of his relics during a one-day visit on June 14. St. Anthony’s feast day is June 13.
Masses will be celebrated at noon and at 6 p.m. at the parish, opening and closing the visit of the relics.
Why to go: In 1263, St. Bonaventure discovered the remains of St. Anthony of Padua.
The Franciscan Friars, OFM, of the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Padua, Italy, have allowed a  U.S. tour of the saint’s relics with stops in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Messenger of St. Anthony magazine organized the tour.
One relic, part of a gold-plated bust of St. Anthony, designed and created by Italian artisans for these special visits in America, will be placed on a stand near the altar to allow people to see it at close range, and even to touch it. It consists of layers of skin of our beloved saint.
The other relic is one of St. Anthony’s floating ribs. It is kept in a reliquary which will be placed on the altar.  
Accessibility: St. Anthony’s front entrance has several steps, but there is parking and an entrance for the handicapped on the Kent Street side of the church.
Ammenities: Il Santo gift shop will be open during the relic visit. The shop is in the parish hall in the church basement.
(Grand) Kid friendly: Children are more than welcome to visit the relic and say prayers with the adults who will be there.
Info: About the relics — Address: The Franciscan Friars of the Anthonian Association and the Messenger of St Anthony 52-29 83rd St, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Phone: 347/738-4306. Web: http://www.saintanthonyofpadua.net. About the host church — Address: St. Anthony of Padua Parish, 1010 Ferguson St., Rockford, IL 61102. Phone: 815/965-2761. Web: www.stanthonyrockford.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org

Editor's note: The relics have moved on from Rockford. Check the Franciscans' website about other exhibit sites. St. Anthony of Padua Parish, however, is happy to welcome visitors.