St. Paul native and director of St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages, John Sonnen, describes pilgrimages as a metaphor for life. At the same time, he said, they are a unique experience in a unique setting that provides an opportunity to encounter the Lord — such as Fatima in Portugal and the Vatican in Rome.
Sonnen told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley during an interview that debuts at 9 p.m. Aug. 9 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, “In the ordinary circumstances of your family life, your work life, that is where you need to be finding God. If pilgrimage can help kind of light the match, it can help jumpstart you and bring you to a new level. But in finding God, that’s really a personal journey that begins at home even before the pilgrimage begins.”
St. Charles Catholic Pilgrimages helps people in whatever they bring to the experience — they might have been born in the faith, they might be new to the faith or on their way to converting, Sonnen said.
“No one is alone in this faith journey, of unpacking the faith, of getting to know God and having a deeper relationship with him,” Sonnen said. “Therein lies the consolation of pilgrimage. Because God’s grace is always working and there is immense consolation and knowing that you do not journey alone.”
To hear more from Sonnen about what a pilgrimage can be, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Aug. 10 and 2 p.m. Aug.11.
The program also includes a discussion with Father Tim Smith, a canon lawyer and priest in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on the importance of social communication in the Church. Also, Joan Mellor, the pastoral minister for St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater, talks about a new Prayer for Vocations Ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program can also be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
