http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/ I am a Catholic Christian doing my humble best to live love as Christ taught it and to fulfill my life's purpose during this short time on Earth. Q. Why did God make me/you? A. God made me/me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next. The answer couldn't be plainer or simpler than that! This is my life's purpose. Is it yours? Source: Baltimore Catechism No. 3 - Lesson 1 : http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/faith/bc3-01.htm Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:27:38 GMT Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:27:38 GMT http://www.fotopages.com/images/rss_logo.gif http://shw.fotopages.com/ 40 60 Please SCROLL DOWN to the next entry to get to the most recent entry. Whoever and wherever you are, down the street, across the country or at the ends of the world, know that you are warmly welcomed. Although not raised in the bosom of any church, I believed in God. I studied world religions and searched for God in many churches, but did not find Him. I was "spiritual, but not religious." Nevertheless, a providential God had His Eye on me, a contemplative soul in the midst of an aggressively secular world, just as He has on you, seeing that you are here, reading this. One night, corny as it sounds, I wrote God http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188237(a letter), seeking a closer walk with Him. Long story, short: Within days, through a series of "coincidences," He sent his mother to me with her earthly spouse, St. Joseph, and http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=738696(St. Patrick), as intermediaries. All three were unlikely emissaries, considering I only thought of Mary and Joseph fleetingly, if that, at Christmas and of St. Paddy (and green beer) on the secular version of his March 17 holiday. Via inner promptings, she invited me to go on a http://www.medjugorje.org/pilgrimage.htm(pilgrimage), half way around the world. "Come, come quickly. You are my 11th hour convert." The invite, more an interior whisper than a call, was nonetheless clear and powerful. A few days later, and even more unexpectedly, my http://www.geocities.com/sptmbrmrn/112101.htm(dear husband), a cradle Buddhist, was extended http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=287865(an invitation) as well. Seized by this mysterious and fascinating call, we knew that we had to go. We took the plunge and made arrangements to go there at the first opportunity. Our preparation was to http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=207049(teach ourselves) to pray the Rosary, memorize its prayers and learn the mysteries of the full http://www.geocities.com/ppilgrim3/(Rosary), no small task for latecomers in the autumn of their lives. Landing right into the arms of the Blessed Virgin, we were being directed to pay attention to her Son and through the Rosary, through her eyes, we learned, vicariously experienced and contemplated the entirety of Christ's earthly life for the first time. We began feeling a new presence of the Holy Family in our hearts and souls that ignited a desire for holiness and perfectionism in Christianity. * "A perceived supernatural religious phenomenon has become a reality for millions throughout the world. Those who believe in this phenomenon see it as the singular most important event of our times. For more than 23 years, the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared daily in apparition at the quiet, rural village of http://medjugorje.org(Medjugorje) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This unprecedented series of apparitions to six youths, and later by inner locution to two more young girls, began in June 1981. It continues to the present, with one overriding objective: To bring the world back to God. They are elevated in drama and urgency as she reveals that these will be her final apparitions on earth, because, as she adds, "It will no longer be necessary." In the history of the Roman Catholic Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared in apparition many times throughout the ages, the most recognizable names being http://www.sancta.org(Guadalupe) (Mexico), http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/lasalette.htm(La Sallette), and http://www.lourdes-france.com/index.php?page=menu&texte=1&old=&langage=en(Lourdes) (France), http://www.knock-shrine.ie(Knock) (Ireland) and http://www.fatima.org/(Fatima) (Portugal). But never in recorded Marian history has she appeared daily for so long a period of time, to so many chosen visionaries, with such profound global results."~http://www.medjugorjeweible.com/(Wayne Weible), author of http://www.medjugorje.org/weiblep.htm(Miracle of Medjugorje) On a mountain in that distant land called Medjugorje, she lovingly took our hands and brought us to her Son. Embraced and immersed in an otherworldly, tremendous peace, we were http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=340785(converted). A mystical veil was rended and we gained a view into eternity. We replied, each in our own way, unhesitatingly: "Yes, Lord, here I am, come to do Your Will." Within a year, in 2005, we received the http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=394437(Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and Reconciliation), and were sacramentally married in the Catholic Church, perhaps the least likely choice before our Medjugorje experience, as we were ignorant, plain and simple. Our misperceptions and misconceptions, based on anti-Catholic teachings as well as distorted misinformation of Church teachings, were the scales that obscured our pre-conversion spiritual eyes. I would be the first to admit that I was one of the millions that Archbishop Fulton Sheen spoke about when he said, "There are not one hundred people in this world who dislike Catholicism, but there are millions who dislike what they mistakenly believe Catholicism to be." We have since immersed ourselves in a diligent, in-depth study of Church teachings by going back to the source, poring over http://www.mindspring.com/~jdarcy/files/cheatsheet.html(Sacred) http://www.catholicresourcecenter.org/audio_clips/scripture-matters-2001-03-05.ram(Scripture), perusing the writings of the http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/(early church fathers) (what an intellectual heritage!) and reading http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Scott%20Hahn&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/103-3137959-1955827(books) and http://www.mindspring.com/~darcyj/files/drhahn.html(transcripts) by convert http://www.scotthahn.com/(Dr. Scott Hahn), a former vehemently anti-Catholic Protestant minister. * "You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything in my name."~ Jesus Christ, John 15. Surprise, surprise, we did not do the choosing; it was God's Doing. An unheard Voice called. We responded to it, followed the call and He http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=423830(brought us home to His Church). "God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform." Yes, indeed! I, Peace Pilgrim, thank you, Gentle Reader, for being here as I take my baby steps to holiness. I pray that I will believe as children believe, to love as children love with undivided hearts, to give myself up to God as children give themselves up... and to pray with simplicity and humility, as children do. ~ Art credit: http://www.keatonprints.com/index.htm(Jean Keaton) This "fotoblog", a chronicle of a new child's journey toward holiness, is also an expression of thanksgiving for God's graces, all totally gratis, unearnable gifts. (Did you know that http://www.americancatholic.org/messenger/nov2004/feature3.asp(we are ALL called to be saints?)) I am a neophyte -- a Catholic newbie -- who has embraced the Blessed Trinity, Eucharist, Holy Family, angels and the communion of saints, and Heaven on earth which is http://www.greatcrusade.org/greatcrusade/Mass/Holy_Mass-Web.htm(The Holy Mass). I am captivated by the Church's goodness, richness, http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p3.htm(fullness of the Faith), and beauty, as well as its logical and immutable http://www.catholic.com/library/pillar.asp(truth). The Second Vatican Council taught that all the baptized are called to follow Jesus Christ, by living according to the Gospel and making it known to others. This blog is my little way of making it known to others and extending Our Lady's reach as she asks pilgrims to do, while living a life in imitation of Christ's and Our Lady's and sanctifying my every day work, in the middle of the ordinary circumstances of my life. I invite you to browse, linger, catch glimpses of a journey of faith with its highlights and lowlights, joys and woes, beauty and ugliness, good and bad, sacred and mundaneness, twists and turns, and points betwixt and between. Perhaps along the way there's a smile, groan, lesson, or a shared experience for you. Just read along or feel free to teach me by using the comments section. Gentle Reader, "For wherever two or more are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them," said Our Lord Jesus Christ. My husband and I pray http://www.geocities.com/ppilgrim3/(the Rosary) daily; we pray for God's Will; for each other; our family, friends and enemies; our students and patients; the sick, unbelievers, youth, priests and Pope and his intentions; Our Lady's intentions; and for peace. We will pray for you; you are our brother or sister. If you wish, you may post your prayer intentions below. You need not identify yourself; God knows who you are and why you are here. Feel free to join us: http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=760487(Common Prayers). May God continue to draw near to you and those you love. May your mind, body, heart and soul be happy, healthy and One with God. http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/(May you be blessed with all things good...) Peace be with you! In God's Light, Peace Pilgrim "If you knew how much I love you, you'd cry with joy." ~ Our Lady, Queen of Peace + + + If you wish to go directly to the pages of our Medjugorje trip, here are the links: http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187497(The Calling) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187678(The Journey Begins) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187695(Day 1) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187720(Day 2) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187752(Day 3) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187785(Day 4) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188235(Day 5) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188289(Day 6) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187602(Day 7) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188635(Day 8) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188658(Day 9) ~ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=188279(We Return) This photojournal is arranged in reverse chronology. Ignore the date of this entry; it is pre-dated to keep it at the top as an introductory page. If you prefer to read the entries in chronological order, click http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/cgi-bin/view_archive.pl?user=34888(here to get to the ARCHIVE page) and start from the bottom up. Attention: This web space is provided for free by the web host, Fotopages. Until they begin charging for their services (I hope to be their first paying customer), I cannot opt out of the advertising banners that appear above and to the left of the pages. Please know that I am NOT responsible whatsoever for, nor do I necessarily agree with, the content of the banners. No money or fees are being received by me for these banners. Thank you for your understanding. ~ Peace Pilgrim http://www.clocklink.com/clocks/0001-Blue.swf?TimeZone=PST(California Time) ~ http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_US-HI.aspx(Hawaii Time) ~ http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_BA.aspx(Medjugorje Time) The time of the apparitions in Medjugorje is 5:40 pm in winter and 6:40 in summer; which is in California corresponds with 8:40 am in winter and 9:40 am in summer and in Hawai'i, 6:40 am in winter and 7:40 am in summer. Multimedia: http://www.childrenofmedjugorje.com/index.htm(Children of Medjugorje): http://www.childrenofmedjugorje.com/OLSlideShow/InHonor.html(In Honor of Our Mother) http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=187333 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Visiting http://crownofstars.blogspot.com/2008/07/conversion-testimony.html(bluecross' blog), I stumbled upon a powerful testimony of Spanish writer Maria Vallejo-Nágera, who was unexpectedly converted in three seconds while in Medjugorje: * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DUxYo8OCU8 She now use her gift of writing for Him, and only Him. Yet another good fruit of Medjugorje! - Her written testimony (in Spanish), can be found at her website: http://www.mariavallejonagera.com/(Maria Valleo-Nágera) - Maria’s testimony in Spanish can be viewed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y64vBKfTcw&feature=related(here). Thank you, bluecross! http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1611994 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QzZ-F2S9sY Thank you, medjugorje.com (Ana and Steve Shawl) for this memory-laden video! It was the best trip of our lives, in every way, life-changing. http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1611975 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT >> http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/11395/ 27 June 2008 Sarajevo: The Vatican announced it will form a commission to investigate the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Bosnia's southern town of Medjugorje. Local media quoted on Friday Bosnian Cardinal Vinko Puljic saying that this will be the first Vatican commission ever to visit Medjugorje. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/11395/(More) http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1611973 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT ~ Advent Wreath, compliments of http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/007511.php(Curt Jester) http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1009091 Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT I was tagged with this light-hearted meme. Gentle Reader and Fellow Blogger, I'm now tagging you. C'mon, be a sport. You know you want to join in on this reindeer game! WELCOME TO THE 2006 EDITION OF THE CHRISTMAS MEME. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. 1. Eggnog, Cider or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with a spoonful of instant Folger's coffee crystals stirred into it and baby marshmallows floating on the top. A splash of peppermint schnapps would ratchet this up another level. 2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? He wraps 'em after Midnight Mass. Unwrapping them, one by one, is a big part of the riotous fun and chaos of Christmas morning. 3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Big, fat colored ones when I was a child. These days, little white twinkly ones. 4. Which of Santa's reindeer -- Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet. -- are you? And why? Vixen. Because I am one. Hehehe. (And you thought I'd say Dancer) >> This http://www.blogthings.com/whichofsantasreindeerareyouquiz/outcome.php(silly test), however, says I'm Rudolph. According this very reliable and sensitive test, I am: "Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong. (Moi?) Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!" Vixen...in my dreams. 5. When do you put your decorations up? Fake tree wired with lights up at the cabin was assembled right after Thanksgiving. As much as I love the smell of real evergreens, I just can't see killing one without a more practical reason. Indoor creche is out all year long on the bookshelf. Outdoor creche on the cabin's balcony will go up when we get up to the mountains. 6. What is your favorite Christmas dish? Too many to list. I'm a foodie. I'll start with Roast with Wasabi Demi-glace. My husband would say his favorite dish is me. *cough!* 7. Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Christmas Eve, fighting to stay up, to get a peek of Santa. Oh, and bubble lights. Nope, I never got to see Mama kissing Santa Claus. And even if I was not Catholic then, I did love to see the Nativity scene in front of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa. 8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth about Santa? What are you trying to say here? Studying the Saints this year, I did learn about St. Nicholas, who had a reputation of secret-gift giving. He inspired the "urban legend" of Santa Claus. >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas(More info) 9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, gift opening only on Christmas morning. Nothing like waking up to coffee, gifts, and happy kids. 10. What kind of cookies does Santa get set out for him? Whatever's available. He's not picky. But if I were him, it would be oatmeal cookies with raisins. 11. Snow! Love it or hate it? Love it. We're dreamin' of a white Christmas. Let it snow! Let it snow. LET IT SNOW! 12. Can you ice skate? Funny, but I 've never ice skated in my life. This surprises me. I ski. I rollerskate. I skateboard. I don't really know how this got past me. No excuses. Michelle Kwan has her brand-new skating rink closeby. How hard can it be? 13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Dried persimmons. Serious. This year, I got my newest favorite gift early: the viewing of the film, THE NATIVITY STORY on opening night. We loved it! Saying The Joyous Mysteries will never be the same. We can "see" it in our minds' eyes. Next year, I hope to get the DVD as my future favorite gift. Now if that wasn't a broad hint! (Please make note of this, Sweetie.) I also will giving away them as (meaningful) gifts next year. 14. What's the most important thing about Christmas to you? The Word was made Flesh, and dwelt amongst us. 15. What is your favorite Christmas dessert? Dried persimmons. No kidding. Usually I'd say pumpkin pie, but I overdid it this year. I had pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Eve, as breakfast on Thanksgiving morning, and as dessert on Thanksgiving Day. It is possible to have too much of a good thing, after all. I've never had Christmas pudding. Is it any good? 16. Favorite Christmas tradition? Dining. Now that I'm a G-Ma, I'm collecting ideas for traditions for the wee ones. Feel free to suggest a few in the comment section. Thank you, Catlady Deb, for that idea with the reindeer's sleigh bell and "hoof prints" in the snow. 17. What tops your tree? An angel. 18. Which do you prefer--GIVING OR RECEIVING? Both. I'd like to say giving, but the honest truth? The little kid in me likes receiving as much as the adult in me likes giving. I just went to confession yesterday, so I am bound to telling the truth as I am determined to keep my slate clean this year as long as I humanly can. The new liturgical year has just begun. 19. What is your favorite Christmas Carol? I have several. Mele Kalikimaka. Adeste Fidelis. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Silver Bells. The Holly and the Ivy. O Holy Night. This year any Christmas song on Keali'i Reichel's new Christmas CD, Maluhia. 20. Candy Canes? Love them, especially in hot cocoa. Candy canes meant very little to me until I read the Candy Cane Story. As I have since learned, thanks to Curt Jester (see comment below), like Santa Claus, this story is yet another "urban legend." The candy cane story, though not true and from someone's imagination, is sweet and beautiful. It will continue to serve to help me think of the symbology it cites, so here it remains, disclaimer and all. Enjoy! P.S. Is one of my favorite stories of http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~2580.aspx(St. Peter and the star fish) yet another "urban legend"? The Candy Cane Story A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1007968 Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT I went to see this last night, opening night. As a recently baptized Christian, I will tell you that this was a most welcomed, meaningful and revolutionary movie for me. It centers around the mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. A superbly crafted and thoughtfully directed movie, it deserves a high rating. It is an unprecedented tribute to a woman who has been relegated to backdrop scenes. Finally, Mary gets to have a movie about her spiritual journey. In my own life, Mary was in the far distant background, giving her fleeting thought if I came across a Nativity scene at Christmas or if I heard the Beatles song, "Let It Be": "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be." It was made for a certain niche -- the ~200 million or so Americans who consider themselves Christians. Two years ago, I was not in this niche, being "spiritual, but not religious." Long story, short, it was Mary who pointed me to her Son, lead me on my own spiritual journey and caused a revolution in my heart, mind and soul. Those who take the time to learn about her and her role do not, as I was mislead to believe, worship her. They simply respect and venerate her. Leading folks to her Son, as I learned, is her job. In this movie, her character is doing exactly that again for me and viewers who are called to see it. Ever since she lead me home, Christmas has taken on such meaning as I never imagined. This year, I've started the season -- called the Advent season -- with a faith-based movie that allowed me to slide right into it in a beautiful, gentle and do I dare say, beatific way. This movie experience is an exquisite gift for the heart and soul. Moreover, it is a feast for the eyes. I went past the inanimate objects of Nativity displays to a visually rich and "fleshed" out Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, Magi and stable animals. The director of the movie, Catherine Hardwick, referred to a line in the script: "...the greatest of kings born in the most humble of places." "Power," she says, "is not a physical power. It's not riches, it's not money, it's not control of governments and nations. It's a deeper power, spirituality." At the end of the movie, the audience burst out in spontaneous applause. For each of us, Christmas is not at all about holiday parties, frenzied shopping and the trappings and physical accouterments. Now, THAT'S revolutionary. When this comes out in DVD, it will be a part of our yearly Christmas tradition, reminding us what it is all about. "Merry Christ-mas!" I hope you will make it meaningfully merrier by giving yourself this movie experience of the life of Mary. http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1002367 Fri, 01 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT I may not be here in word, but my heart is still with all of you who have frequented this blog. I'm taking a break from this blog. God bless each and every one of you. In the meantime, please enjoy this post by Mark Mallett: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=321#more-321(Medjugorje: “Just the facts, ma’am”) It's been said that some of us who return from Medjugorje, return as apostles. And so it is with me. I have been actively living my faith in my community and within my family. There will be a time when I will again reflect and write here, but for now I am being an active Martha in the faith, while listening to Our Lord as Mary, her contemplative sister, did. Because Mary, our Mother, loved me as she did when I was in Medjugorje, I have been busy spreading her love around with those I work with, my neighbors, my community, and especially my family, in particular my mother Mary and sister Sandy who have been visiting us. http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=982150 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT prox·y (prŏk'sē) n., pl. -ies. A person who acts as an agent or substitute A Day In The Life Of: A Rent-a-Pilgrim By Henrique Almeida, Reuters LISBON (Reuters) - Any Roman Catholics who have vowed to make the pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal which is famous for religious visions but can't fulfil their promise, help is at hand -- rent-a-pilgrim. For 2,500 euros (1,671 pounds), Pilgrim Gil will make the journey in your place -- and send you a certificate stamped along the way to prove he walked your every step. Carlos Gil, 42, who owns a small computer company, took up this mediaeval practice four years ago when he suddenly "felt an urge to walk to Fatima" and said charging each client was simply a way to keep doing what he loves. "I make the trip to Fatima once or twice a year because it elevates my spirit," said Gil. "Sometimes the trip is so intense that I forget I'm doing it to fulfil my client's promises." Like a true pilgrim, Gil begins his seven-day journey to Fatima on foot from his home in Cascais, a small town on the outskirts of Lisbon, about 160 kilometres from the shrine. It takes him another six days to walk back. Fatima's claim to fame is the Sanctuary of Fatima, built after the Virgin Mary was reported to have appeared six times to three shepherd children on a hillside near the town in 1917. One of the children, Lucia dos Santos, became a nun after having the visions and is said to have foretold the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II in May 1981. She died in 2005 while the other two children died in 1919 and 1920. Pope John Paul later placed one of the bullets that nearly killed him in the crown of the statue of Fatima Ever year about 3.5 million visitors flock to the shrine to celebrate the Virgin's appearance -- and Gil goes in the place of some of would-be pilgrims although he would not say how many people he walks for each year. "It is a romantic way for my clients to thank God for what they have, like buying a candle or a plaster statue of Fatima," he said. To guarantee to his clients that he made the trip on foot, Gil has a system of handing his customers a certificate after every journey with various stamps from places along the way. "That way they know I kept their promise," he said. He insists he makes the trips because it makes him feel good and the money he charges is used to compensate for time-off from his company and expenses along the way. "As long as I'm not making a profit, I don't see a problem in this," he said. "It doesn't matter if you can't make the trip yourself because you are I and I am you, if you know what I mean." Those who wish to hire Pilgrim Gil can do so through his website peregrino.org, which is translated into three different languages and includes a credit card payment system. http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=982199 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT I'll have to remember to take shots like these next time I'm in Medjugorje... Photos by a man who cleverly incorporated his souvenirs into the sites: >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/michael_hughes/sets/346406/ http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=982181 Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT