Davin Indah Love story

This marks the end of our 18-day pilgrimage across Italy and France. It was truly a fruitful and blessed journey. Each of us experienced healing and miracles in our own way, both seen and unseen. For myself, I feel deeply enlightened and renewed. Reflecting on the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux reminded me that extraordinary holiness can grow from ordinary, simple acts done with great love. During the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a priest encouraged me to live more acts of charity and mercy. These words stayed with me and have now become the guiding theme of my life in 2026. Another beautiful piece of advice I received was this: the closer we grow to God, the simpler our lives become. We begin to focus on what truly matters, instead of chasing after things that fade so quickly. Our youngest son experienced his own miracle at San Giovanni Rotondo. We entrust him to the care of Padre Pio, praying that he will always guide and protect him along his path. Our second son also experienced a ...

Underrated, Hidden-Gem Pilgrimage Sites in Italy A short story about Bolsena and its deep connection with Orvieto Bolsena is a small, quiet town by Lake Bolsena, yet it holds one of the most significant Eucharistic miracles in Catholic history. In 1263, a German priest was traveling to Rome, struggling with doubts about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. While celebrating Mass at the Church of St. Christina in Bolsena, something extraordinary occurred. At the moment of consecration, the host began to bleed. Blood fell onto the corporal and the altar, leaving visible stains. Shaken and frightened, the priest stopped the Mass and reported the miracle to Pope Urban IV, who was staying nearby in Orvieto. The Pope sent theologians to investigate, and after the miracle was confirmed, he ordered the sacred relics to be brought in a solemn procession from Bolsena to Orvieto. This event deeply moved Pope Urban IV and led to the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi for the ent...

The next day, we drove to Siena, a journey of about two hours through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, passing rolling hills and vineyards along the way. We arrived just before lunch and checked in at Hotel Athena, located within Siena’s Old Town and within walking distance of Piazza del Campo. For lunch, we visited a nearby local restaurant and enjoyed Florentine bistecca along with other regional specialties. With our appetites satisfied, we spent the afternoon strolling through the old town, starting from Piazza del Campo and, of course, stopping for gelato. Later, we visited St. Catherine’s paternal home and the Basilica of St. Dominic, where the relics of St. Catherine are kept. The basilica was vast and atmospheric—dimly lit, solemn, and slightly eerie, with the head of St. Catherine displayed as a relic. We continued wandering through the city before ending the day with pizza for dinner, then returned to our hotel. Siena is a beautiful medieval town, characterized by its warm t...