October 20 – November 2, 2026 · Greece & Ephesus
Fr. Wilson is leading a group of parishioners through Greece in the footsteps of our patron, St. Paul the Apostle. Each day they will share a short video and reflection from the places where Paul preached, suffered, and founded the first churches of Europe. Join them in prayer, learn more about St. Paul, and ask with them: what does Paul say to us today?
Why St. Paul?
Paul made three missionary journeys and a final voyage to Rome. Between about AD 46 and 60 he traveled more than 10,000 miles to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world, and much of that ground lies in modern Greece and Turkey.
“The basic foundation of our civilization comes to us from Jesus through Paul. There would be no West as we know it without his missionary activity.”
— Fr. Jonathan Wilson
Belief in the equal dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God, reached the West through his preaching. We are blessed to have him as the patron of our parish.
Daily Pilgrimage Posts
Each day’s video and reflection will be linked here as it is posted. Check back daily, or watch for it in the parish e-newsletter.
Day 1 · Tuesday, October 20 · Departure
The pilgrims depart for Athens.
Day 1 post coming October 20.
Day 2 · Wednesday, October 21 · Athens
Arrival in Athens and Mass at the Catholic cathedral, dedicated to St. Dionysius the Areopagite, one of the few Athenians who believed when Paul preached there (Acts 17:34).
Day 2 post coming October 21.
Day 3 · Thursday, October 22 · Corinth
Paul lived and worked in Corinth for a year and a half, making tents with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18). We will stand at the bema, where he was brought before the proconsul Gallio, and celebrate Mass outdoors in the city that received two of his letters.
Day 3 post coming October 22.
Day 4 · Friday, October 23 · Areopagus & Acropolis
On the Areopagus, Paul told the Athenians about the “unknown God” they already worshiped (Acts 17:22-34). After Mass the group boards the ship at Piraeus.
Day 4 post coming October 23.
Day 5 · Saturday, October 24 · Chania, Crete
Paul left his companion Titus in Crete to organize the Church and appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). Mass and a visit to the ancient sites.
Day 5 post coming October 24.
Day 6 · Sunday, October 25 · At sea
Sunday Mass on board and time for group reflection. Paul knew these waters well, including the storm and shipwreck on his way to Rome (Acts 27).
Day 6 post coming October 25.
Day 7 · Monday, October 26 · Rhodes
Paul’s ship put in at Rhodes on his final voyage to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1). A tour of Lindos and the medieval city, with Mass at the Santa Maria Monastery.
Day 7 post coming October 26.
Day 8 · Tuesday, October 27 · Ephesus
Paul spent nearly three years in Ephesus (Acts 19–20). We celebrate Mass at the House of Mary and walk the ancient city, where the Council of Ephesus proclaimed Mary the Mother of God in 431.
Day 8 post coming October 27.
Day 9 · Wednesday, October 28 · Santorini
Mass and time to explore the island.
Day 9 post coming October 28.
Day 10 · Thursday, October 29 · Mykonos
Mass on board, followed by a free day on the island.
Day 10 post coming October 29.
Day 11 · Friday, October 30 · Kavala & Philippi
Called by a vision of a man pleading “Come over to Macedonia and help us,” Paul landed at Neapolis, today’s Kavala: the Gospel’s first step onto European soil (Acts 16:9-11). At Philippi he baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe, and was later jailed there (Acts 16:14-40). Mass at Lydia’s spring.
Day 11 post coming October 30.
Day 12 · Saturday, October 31 · Thessaloniki & Berea
Paul preached in Thessaloniki and later wrote the Thessalonians two letters. The Bereans “received the word with all willingness” and searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:1-15). Mass at the cathedral in Thessaloniki, then on to Veria (ancient Berea) and Vergina.
Day 12 post coming October 31.
Day 13 · Sunday, November 1 · At sea · All Saints
Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints on board, with time for prayer and reflection.
Day 13 post coming November 1.
Day 14 · Monday, November 2 · Homeward · All Souls
The ship returns to Piraeus and the pilgrims fly home.
Day 14 post coming November 2.
Pray With Us
St. Paul, Apostle to the nations, you crossed seas and suffered much to bring Christ to people who had never heard His name. Watch over our pilgrims as they walk where you walked. Keep them safe, open their hearts to the Lord, and bring them home renewed. And pray for all of us at home, that we may share your zeal for the Gospel and proclaim Christ wherever we are sent. Amen.
St. Paul the Apostle, pray for us.