Travel books can help prospective pilgrims learn before they go
Published: April 19, 2008
Paulist Press
Paulist Press
These books offer a variety of information on holy sites, shrines, saints and churches around the world.
"A Catholic's Guide to Rome: Discovering the Soul of the Eternal City" by Frank J. Korn (Paulist Press, March 2000) -- Written for the Jubilee Year 2000, this book explains not only the religious history and tradition, but also provides contemporary details about the important churches and shrines in Rome.
"The Bible in the British Museum: Interpreting the Evidence" by T.C. Mitchell (Paulist Press, September 2004) -- This book offers an illustrated and detailed guide to documents in the British Museum and how they relate to biblical times, which is helpful to anyone in Bible study.
"Biblical Holy Places: An Illustrated Guide" by Rivka Gonen (Paulist Press, February 2000) -- This resource provides brief descriptions for more than 200 biblical sites and 250 photos from places in Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, the Holy Land, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Syria and Turkey.
"How to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and Cathedrals" by Richard Taylor (Hidden Spring, July 2005) -- This book discusses the meaning of symbolism, art, use of color and way the architecture in older churches reveal Christian beliefs.
"On Pilgrimage: Sacred Journeys Around the World" by Jennifer Westwood (HiddenSpring, January 2003) -- Through first-person stories to various holy sites, this book describes the preparation for and experience of a spiritual journey.
"Traveling With The Saints In Italy: Contemporary Pilgrimages On Ancient Paths" by Lucinda Vardey (HiddenSpring, September 2005) -- Saints such as Francis of Assisi, Anthony of Padua, Catherine of Siena and Padre Pio are highlighted in this book. Included are the saint's biographies, teachings and guides to their shrines.
"The Spiritual Traveler: New York City: The Guide to Sacred Spaces and Peaceful Places" by Edward F. Bergman (HiddenSpring, July 2001) -- For those seeking spiritual journeys inside the United States, this book, part of a series, details churches, synagogues and historic sites including many that often go unnoticed. Also available, by different authors, are spiritual traveler guides for Boston and New England, Chicago and Illinois and pilgrim routes in Britain.
Source: ActiveParishioner.com, a Web site launched last November by Ana Kelly, a former associate director at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
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