Where can one go to learn about every aspect of Christianity? To learn about everything Christ did, the Bible, the first Christian Church, the early years of the church clear up untill today. I want to know all that I can know. I want to travel to different churches throughout Europe, visit rome and the many forgotten monasteries. Does to Catholic Church have such a thing that would allow me to do this? Kind of like a traveling historian. I only would need enough money for the necessities in life and travel. I could maybe help teach Christian history at a scholl or something. Thanks!

-- Shawn Gisewhite (sharvin@acsworld.net), January 20, 2004

Answers

Hi, if you would like to read volumes and volumes and volumes of the writings of the Fathers, from Ignatius, Polycarp, right on up to Thomas Aquinas, go to ccel.org and click on the Fathers. It's AWESOME! I had a thirst for our Christian heritage too, but as a Protestant I knew next to nothing. So I began to read 1st 2nd 3rd 4th century Fathers. Couldn't get enough.

God has placed a thirst in you. I know 'cause I've been there. It's a craving that won't let you go.

Have fun,

Gail

P.S. I would love to go to Ireland and see the old churches, some dating back over a thousand years ago. Can you imagine?

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), January 20, 2004.

Hi Shawn,

A pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto in Loreto, Italy is a pilgrimage I'm dying to make.

"Tradition says that a band of angels scooped up the little house from the Holy Land, and transported it first to Tersato, Dalmatia in 1291, Reananti in 1294, and finally to Loreto, Italy where it has been for centuries. The Holy House of Loreto is the house in which Mary was born and where the Annunciation occurred." -- catholic- forum.com

"This building is honoured by Christians as the veritable cottage at Nazareth in which the Holy Family lived, and the Word became incarnate." -- Catholic Encyclopedia

Tons of authentic miracles have happened in the Holy House of Loreto.

The other pilgrimage I want to make (among so many) is to Mexico City to see the ONLY "photograph" of the Blessed Virgin Mary : the tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

-- pilgrim (pilgrim@on.earth), January 20, 2004.

Thanks Gail, that would be cool!!!

-- Shawn Gisewhite (sharvin@acsworld.net), January 20, 2004.

You're 100% right, Gail. There's no shortage of superior Church history. The only reason non-catholics have rejected it is they stand against the Popes.

Add to Ireland the Church in Spain. Experience the cathedral of Santiago Compostela; your eyes will be opened forever. There is a large marble pillar near the front entrance on which pilgrims have placed their hand saying a prayer, and so many millions have palmed it over more than a thousand years, the imprint of a hand is hollowed out in the rock. I was astounded to read that one such pilgrim had been Francis of Assissi himself!

-- eugene c. chavez (loschavez@pacbell.net), January 20, 2004.