Carrying You With Us On Pilgrimage
May 27, 2026
Fr. John Riccardo
This week, I am blessed to be with nearly 100 pilgrims in Greece and Turkey. While we will visit places like Patmos, where John had the vision that became the Book of Revelation, and other significant sites from antiquity, the primary purpose of the trip is to walk in the footsteps of Paul.
I’ve been fortunate to make this pilgrimage several times before, and it is indeed life-changing — or can be, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. Christians have gone on pilgrimage almost from the very beginning. We do things like this quite simply because God acts in history, in concrete time and space. Visiting and praying in places where He did wonders of old can serve to remind us that He wants to do them now in our time and space.
In the days ahead, we will step foot in the ancient forum in Corinth, and see with our own eyes the ruins of what Paul once saw; for he made Corinth his home for 18 months, working as a tentmaker, preaching the Lordship of Jesus (cf. Acts 18:1ff). It was to this very real community that he wrote his famous passage on love (cf. 1 Cor 13). We will set sail for Turkey, and make our way to Ephesus. We will remind ourselves that this was the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Artemis, for those who have forgotten our mythology classes, was a goddess of fertility, and so it doesn’t take much to imagine why this place was so popular — especially for men. We will visit the theater there — still standing — where Luke describes a fierce riot that broke out (cf. Acts 19). For hours, in an angry response to Paul’s preaching, thousands of people chanted over and over again, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” We’ll leave the theater and walk over to the Temple, only to find that it doesn’t even stand anymore; all that’s left is a tiny column, alone in a field. Meanwhile, the world dates the year to the birth of Jesus!
And there will be many more highlights: the river in Philippi, where Paul baptized Lydia, the first person to be reborn in Europe (cf. Acts 16:12ff); Thessalonica, where the crowds complained how Paul and his friends were turning the world upside down (cf. Acts 17:6); and Athens, where Paul explained to the Athenians that the unknown god, to whom they had an altar, he was there to make known (cf. Acts 17:23).
However, while the pilgrimage is a special grace for those of us able to go, it’s not a grace for us alone. Pilgrims leave home and travel far away to these places not only for themselves, but on behalf of their friends and family members who aren’t able to come. So, as we visit these sacred places where God has acted in mighty ways, please know and be assured that we will be bringing your intentions, whether explicitly articulated to us or not, asking the Lord Jesus to pour out His grace and blessing on you and all those you love and care for. May our Lord use us, even as He used Paul, Lydia, Priscilla, Aquila and others, to turn our world upside down, as we proclaim the gospel of King Jesus, and thereby give hope to those living the nightmare that is life apart from God.
ACTS XXIX Prayer Intentions
May 2026
For the Church, that she may be a faithful voice for peace and unity, and a living instrument through which the cries of the world are heard and answered.
For our partnership with the Seminary Formation Council at Mundelein, that our time with the priests may be deeply anointed and serve as a meaningful milestone in their ministry, especially as they prepare to welcome transitional deacons into their parishes.
For the leaders joining us this month for a leadership immersive, that they may encounter true renewal and transformation, and return to their communities strengthened, equipped, and forever changed.
For those making pilgrimage to Greece later this month, that our journey may deepen our understanding of the heroic witness of St. Paul, and inspire us to live with the same courage and fidelity in our own time.
For our Episcopal Advisory Council, Board of Directors, partners, and all who faithfully pray for us, that they may be strengthened by the grace of communion and the gratitude we share as members of the family of God.