Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 7

Steve’s Talk In Rome: Martyrdom, Persecution, Denying Christ and Running the Race

Every time we visit Rome, I take our group to “the martyrdom church“, which is what I call the Church of Santo Stefano Rotondo. The walls are covered in graphic, colored pictures of the early Christians, they’re suffering and torture and they’re martyrdom..

This time I gave by 18-minute talk, “Persecution, Martyrdom, Denying Christ, Running the Race“. I gave my talk as we moved around the church in circular fashion discussing the images that moved everyone profoundly.

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14 Italy: Pope Leo General Audience, Iconic Sites Walking Tour, Stefano Rotundo Mass

What a surprise! When these folks registered for this pilgrimage, they had no idea they would be here to greet the new Pope! We arrived soon after the conclave and they’re here today to visit Pope Leo XIV at St. Peters for his general audience.

Not only that, but our group got the very front row due to our great trip managers, Luca and Sarah. This, of course, is a highlight of the trip for our pilgrims.

After the general audience and “lunch on your own” we met up again and toured the iconic sites of Rome, including the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and more.

Final Mass at our favorite church Santo Stefano Rotundo with walls covered with murals of the gruesome martyrdoms of the early church. Then to our Farewell Dinner!

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My New Article in Catholic Answers Magazine: “Was Jesus Nice?“

My new article in Catholic Answers Magazine: “Was Jesus Nice?”

AUDIO

https://catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/amazon_polly_146871.mp3

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Being Physically Fit as well as Spiritually Fit – Ignore our Health and our Bodies will Catch up with us

Janet and I have always been aware and concerned about our physical fitness … healthy food, walks together or working out in our basement mini-gym, yearly physicals at the doctors and just being aware and making our health a priority. But lots of travel and busy-ness takes its toll. So during this virus shutdown we reemphasized this aspect of our lives.

A friend just wrote about he saw some good rotund Catholic guys and they made him feel better. “Steve and Janet make me feel guilty with their ‘boot camp’ lifestyle.” He said he doesn’t feel so fat and unhealthy around those good ‘ol boys.

I wrote back,

Those guys are still young and don’t realize that you have to be physically fit as well as spiritually fit. Don’t take care of your body and your soul suffers too. They will realize this after they get a bit older and have health issues like a heart attack, a stroke, diabetes II or other impending health problems caused by neglect.

Our bodies will get the attention they require one way or the other — either by the person’s choice and timing or by the body’s choice and timing. You choose to change your lifestyle habits on your schedule, or your body will shut you down and do it for you when you least expect it.

St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I discipline my body and keep it under control.”  Youth has its adnvantages and disadvantages; but then again, age does too.  Our lifestyle can catch up to us faster than we realize.

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Italy Rome Day 13: St Peter in Chains, Michelangelo’s “Moses”, Colosseum, Roman Forum, San Clemente

Italy Jubilee 2025 Day 13

St. Paul in Chains, Michaelangelo’s “Moses”, Colosseum, Roman Forum, San Clemente and more.

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What Does this Wood Carving Mean?

This was in the hospital. What does it mean?

When I went to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor Michigan the other day for a visit, I stopped by to pray at the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel. In front of the chapel was this wood carving.

I also, like all of you, sat in front of it puzzled. Who are the women; what’s in their hands? What does it mean? Then it came to me. A Catholic hospital, especially one with the word “mercy” in its name, practices the Corporal Acts of Mercy.

The six items held by the women representing the virtues or acts of mercy are taken straight from the Gospels – from Matthew 25:34-36 and are the basis for judging whether people are going to heaven or hell.

From the gospel we read: “Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ?for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ? I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'”

Humbling words! I think the 5th image represents flowers that are often brought to the sick in hospitals.

Scary words – because Jesus ends up saying,

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, “Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” … Then he will say to those at his left hand, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink …”  (Matthew 25:31-46)

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12 Italy Rome: St. Pete’s Mass and Tour, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Free Afternoon

Mass at St Peter’s | Vatican Museums | Sistine Chapel

Box breakfast then 7:30 AM Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica followed by a tour of the Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.

Pasted through the Jubilee holy doors of St. Peter‘s Basilica and then the rest of the afternoon and evening free.

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11 Italy Rome: Callisto Catacombs Tour and Mass, Liz Lev Presentation on Sistine Chapel

Catacombs of St. Callisto | St. Paul Outside the Walls | Liz Lev Presentation

A group of 30 folks who only came for the main trip through left us today. Some are going home and others traveling elsewhere. Seventy of us remained in Rome for the four-day Highlights of Rome extension trip.

Toured the Catacombs of St. Callisto outside the ancient walls of Rome along the Via Appia Antica. We celebrated our Sunday Mass in the catacombs. After everyone scattered around to find lovely cafés and restaurants and pizzerias; we re-gathered Tour St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the four ancient major basilicas in Rome and the 2nd largest church and where his bones are today.

Next we met up with Liz Lev for her brilliant slide presentation on the Sistine chapel to prepare us for our visit tomorrow. Group dinner at Taverna Angelica.

DAILY VIDEO

STEVE’S TALK ON END OF ST PAUL’S LIFE

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Italy 10: San Giovanni Rotundo and Padre Pio

Rotondo | Shrine of Padre Pio | Rome

We used vans to ascend to the shrine, then celebrated Mass at the Shrine of Padre Pio. Steve’s talk on Padre Pio. Then a tour of Tour Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie Church and Convent.

On the long ride to Rome, we had fun on the bus with me telling our conversion story, reenacting Catholic Answers Live on both buses and lots of time for prayer and jokes and naps. We checked in to Hotel NH Collection Roma Centro then out to dinner at the elegant L’Archeologia.

DAILY VIDEO

“FUN FACTS” ABOUT PADRE PIO

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Italy 9 Holy Face of Manoppello, Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano

Manopello | Lanciano | San Giovanni Rotondo

Drove for Manopello to see the Volto Sano, holy face cloth that covered Jesus face in the tomb (Jn 20:7). We celebrated Mass at Volto Santo.

After lunch we drove to Lanciano for the grandest of Eucharistic Miracleswhich took place in the 8th century.

Overnighted in San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St. Padre Pio.

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