Verso Ministries is a Catholic pilgrimage company helping people explore the world and discover what God has in store for them. We do so in the spirit of our patron saint, Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Nearly 100 years ago, Frassati wrote the words “Verso l’alto” on a now iconic picture of him as he scales the side of a cliff. Literally, the words mean “to the top” or “towards the heights.”
Metaphorically, the phrase means, “orient your entire life toward God.” In all that you do, in all that you are, seek the path that leads you to God. Saint Pier Giorgio is a beautiful witness to living out this mantra.
So, together, let’s seek the path, encounter the sacred, and share the story so that others may join us.
Photo (c) Associazione Pier Giorgio Frassati, Rome. Used with permission.
John Paul spent 10 years in parish and college ministry before taking the dive to start Verso Ministries. He’s always had an entrepreneurial inkling, as he’s always sought new and dynamic ways to spread the Gospel. He is passionate about the practice of pilgrimage and the ways in which a pilgrim’s heart and mind can be transformed by an encounter with God on a pilgrimage. He resides in South Bend, Indiana, with his wife and four children.
To read about the moment when Verso Ministries was born, visit our blog.
Monica first fell in love with theology and the Church through both her classical Christian high school and late night C.S. Lewis reading in high school. This led her to study theology at the University of Notre Dame with the thought of ministry and helping others encounter Christ. However, she discovered two things after graduation: her real gifts are in administration and operations rather than direct ministry, and non-profits are “all heart and no brain.” So she pursued a Masters in Public Administration from Indiana University Bloomington concentrating in public finance with the intent of lending “brain” to operations with a lot of “heart”, and has spent her career doing just that. She has had the opportunity to serve and lead the operational mission of nonprofits, governmental agencies, and higher education institutions and brings all of this experience to Verso whose mission of fostering encounters with Christ brings her back to her first love. Monica has five children, one husband, and a giant herding dog. She loves being outside, encountering beauty, and accompanying others to wholeness and freedom in Christ.
Ever since Jenna spent four months living and studying in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the Holy Land has held a special place in her heart. She is passionate about accompanying pilgrims through all stages of their journeys and experiencing God at work through the encounters and relationships that pilgrimages facilitate. Jenna studied theology, peace studies, and science at the University of Notre Dame and has a master’s degree in education from Saint Joseph’s University. Along with traveling, she enjoys making and listening to music, playing golf, and spending time outdoors. Jenna lives in South Bend, Indiana.
Joan fell in love with the Church while studying in Rome and has been committed to sharing those graces ever since. Witnessing the funeral of Pope St. John Paul and the election of Pope Benedict instilled in Joan the passion to evangelize, especially through pilgrimage. With degrees in history and theology from Christendom College and Franciscan University of Steubenville, Joan has worked for the Church and various religious apostolates for seventeen years. She is also a Catholic speaker, writer, and podcaster and loves introducing people to the things she loves. She is the author of Making a Pilgrimage: A Companion for Catholics from Emmaus Road Publishing.
A Buffalo, NY native, Andrew studied the Great Books in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame. At ND, Andrew was led to return to the Catholic faith, which he had abandoned for many years, through the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, the loving witness of his friends and classmates, and his encounter with the Catholic intellectual tradition. He joined Verso Ministries in order to give his professional time and talent to Jesus Christ and His Church, and he is excited to see what the Lord has in store for Verso and its pilgrims. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, learning about monasticism and mysticism, and exercising.
Through his ministry background spanning numerous dioceses, parishes, schools, and faith organizations, Brett developed a keen understanding of how communities grow together spiritually. A graduate of John Paul the Great Catholic University with a passion for experiencing God through travel, he now helps these organizations discover the transformative power of pilgrimage. Brett, his wife, and daughter call Denver, Colorado home, where he loves exploring the Rocky Mountains.
Jane’s career experience spans both the United States and Ireland, where she has worked across a variety of marketing channels including data storytelling, customer acquisition, data analytics, brand strategy, content creation, influencer marketing, and both digital & print advertising. During her free time in Dublin, Jane toured Ireland as a professional Irish dancer with her dance company and solo traveled extensively throughout Europe, deepening her love for its history, culture, and beauty. Additionally, she owns Digital Creative Content Agency, helping small businesses navigate the digital landscape. Jane holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Dayton with minors in Pre-Law and Philosophy. She later obtained her M.S. in Digital Marketing from the University of Notre Dame. She is excited to bring her passion for travel, storytelling, and the Catholic Church to Verso Ministries. Outside of work, Jane enjoys painting with friends, staying active, discovering local coffee shops, and any conversation about travel & pilgrimage!
Rachel’s journey to South Bend and Verso Ministries has taken many turns; from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado to the plains of Illinois, she and her family have been across the USA on a pilgrimage of sorts. Rachel received her BSBA at Rockhurst University – a small Jesuit university in the heart of Kansas City, MO. Even though her major was in accounting, she fell in love with the Catholic Church through the university’s theology and philosophy courses (enough to pursue philosophy as a minor). Professionally, Rachel has worked for several organizations as an accountant, but she has pined for an opportunity to work for a Catholic organization where she can live her faith and share her talents to further the ministry of the Church. Rachel and her husband have one child on Earth and one in Heaven; she and her family have a special calling to advocate for rare diseases as their little saint passed from a rare disease. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys riding horses with her daughter, creating macrame art, playing music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
A Harlingen, TX, native, Juan’s first pilgrimages were to Mexico with his home parish to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe. Further travels with his family taught him to love experiencing new cultures and locales. After earning a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a B.A. in History from the University of Texas at Austin, Juan went on to the University of Notre Dame to earn his Master of Theological Studies where he enjoyed accompanying students on their journeys as a teaching assistant. After five years of service in Catholic higher education guiding students, Juan was called to Verso Ministries to walk with pilgrims. One of his most transformative experiences was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land during undergrad which instilled in him a desire to serve the Church. With hobbies as varied as running in races, performing in orchestras and bands as a bassoonist, reading, and exploring theme and natural parks, Juan is always on an adventure but is happy to call South Bend, IN, home where he resides with his wife.
Trisha has spent most of her life visiting places around the world she has dreamt of experiencing. With a heart for service, relationship, and the Catholic Faith, Trisha’s greatest joy is accompanying others to encounter Christ. She is thrilled to combine her experience in ministry with her passion for traveling to help others journey to the sites where God has made himself known. Trisha is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a degree in History Education, and has spent the last few years working in different forms of youth ministry across the U.S. She lives in South Bend, IN, where you can mostly find her outdoors with a book in hand or on her way to the local pizza restaurant.
After living and traveling through a myriad of countries and cultures, Emi developed a deep passion and appreciation for the beauty of our Universal Catholic Church. From South Korea to Uganda, Ireland to China, and France to the United States, Emi has learned so much about the love of Christ through the unique history and expression of faith that each country reveals. True to her appreciation of culture, Emi studied International Relations, receiving her B.A in International Relations from the University of North Georgia and her M.A. also in International Relations, from University College Dublin. After that she spent two years working in full-time ministry, one year in Ireland and one in Uganda. She is so excited to work with Verso and support our mission of encountering Christ, exploring the sacred, and traveling the world through intentional Catholic pilgrimage.
Maureen’s love for the universality and enculturation of Catholicism began through family trips across 46 states (and counting!). Her first experience overseas was through service at a Holy Cross high school in Jinja, Uganda. As a graduate of Notre Dame’s Master of Divinity program, she looks forward to accompanying pilgrims with her love of people, culture, and travel. Some of Maureen’s favorite things include Tous Les Jours (bakery), The Strike (band), and The Secret Life of Bees (book). She delights in any discussion about the global Church, the communion of saints, and the grand eschatological destination of our heavenly home.
Sofia received a B.A. in Global Studies from Saint Mary’s College and a Master of Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame. Sofia is a dual Peruvian-U.S. American citizen (like Pope Leo XIV!) and a missionary kid. Inheriting her parents’ sense of adventure, she has a love for service and for exploring the world. Sofia is in constant awe at the sense of “home” found in participating in the familiar, yet also unique, Holy Mass in any country. Visiting the shrine of Our Lady of Kibeho in Rwanda is on Sofia’s bucket list.
Francesca’s love for exploration of the world and the human person brought her to study theology at the University of Notre Dame where she completed a B.A. in theology, unofficially studied human rights as she was blessed to study a semester in Morocco and Jerusalem, and then completed her M.A. in Theology through the Echo program. As an enthusiast for holistic human formation, travel and international affairs, Francesca has taught in high schools in the U.S., volunteered with youth in Armenia and Cambodia, and is constantly planning her next adventure. She loves pilgrimage as the physical embodiment of the Christian life and, having recently walked the Camino de Santiago, is always excited to talk about how pilgrimage is a point of synthesis of the physical and spiritual realities of the human person.
Sydney is passionate about helping others encounter Christ through service and pilgrimage. As a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, she studied accounting with a minor in Catholic Social Tradition. There her faith blossomed as Sydney was confirmed into the Catholic Church through the University’s OCIA program. During her time at Notre Dame, she served with organizations in India, Northern Ireland, Uganda, and Colombia, experiences that deepened her love for the universal Church and desire to continue seeking Christ through service. Originally from Yonkers, New York, Sydney is excited for World Youth Day and accompanying young pilgrims as they encounter the beauty of the Catholic faith. In her free time, she enjoys international travel, volunteering, long-form journalism, the storytelling of Anthony Bourdain, and cheering on the Knicks, Yankees, and Giants.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Caroline graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, as well as with programs in Psychology and Theology. While exploring the intersection of these three areas as a student, the Lord led her to Verso, where she is now blessed to use her God-given talents to serve the Catholic Church. Caroline is passionate about the theology of marriage and family, and enjoys learning more about this topic through reading and mentorship from other married couples. She looks forward to her own upcoming marriage to her fiancé, and when she’s not at work, you can probably find her trying a new recipe, reading a new book, or making music with friends.
Lord,
As we embark upon this pilgrimage together, guide my steps. While I cannot anticipate every twist and turn ahead, I trust that you will lead me and strengthen me, inviting me to discover beauty in ways I cannot imagine.
Give me the eyes to see your presence, the ears to hear your voice, and an open heart, ready to learn from each person, place, and story that I encounter.
Help me to look beyond myself and discover the world as you see it. Draw me closer to those around me. Encourage me to slow down, to let go of needless worry. Let my mind wander and my heart wonder at the unexpected, often ordinary ways you find me.
With this next step, no matter how small, meek, and humble, I show you my desire and my commitment, despite my imperfections, to answer your call to “Come, follow me,” to thirst after truth, justice, and love, and ultimately, to always find my path back to you, my eternal home.
Through the intercession of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, give me the strength, courage, and trust to discover everything that you have in store for me in this life and the next.
Amen.
