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, Blessed 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. Blessed 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.
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 and her husband live in South Bend, Indiana.
A graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Mary completed a masters in theology at the University of Oxford. Having recently served as executive officer for the UK’s University Museums Group and doctoral program administrator at Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, she is eager to combine her passion for international work and interest in things theological to facilitate and enhance the longstanding spiritual practice of pilgrimage. Born and raised in California, Mary now calls South Bend, Indiana home.
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 indifferent 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.
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. Andrew lives in Granger, IN with his amazing and inspiring wife and four energetic children.
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 Blessed 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.
