Joseph Ratzinger as a young priest.

What is the relationship between a man and his native land? What kind of a mark would a land like early 20th century Bavaria, so rich in Catholic traditions and in the wisdom of a simple, faithful people, leave on a sensitive, intelligent youth named Joseph Ratzinger?

An upcoming pilgrimage to Bavaria will help answer those questions. (To view the flyer, click here.) The tours will be led by a Regnum Christi member named Dr. Brennan Pursell, professor of history at DeSales University and author of the forthcoming papal biography, Benedict XVI: the Bavarian Pope. The research that went into this upcoming book, which gives special emphasis to the formative moments of Ratzinger’s childhood and youth in Bavaria, will also enrich the pilgrimage with unique insights and stories.

The pilgrimage will begin in Freising, which became one of Bavaria’s first dioceses in the 8th century. The next stop will be Altoetting, the most famous Marian shrine in Germany, where a Legionary

	The shrine square at Altoetting.

priest will lead the group in a retreat of prayer, sacraments, study, and silence. In the following days, they will visit the towns of the Pope’s youth: Marktl am Inn, Tittmoning, and Traunstein. They will also visit the stunningly beautiful city of Salzburg, make an outing in the Bavarian Alps, and share a meal with Regnum Christi members in Germany.

From there, the pilgrimage will move on to the city of Regensburg, which was inhabited since the days of ancient Rome. It was in Regensburg that Joseph Ratzinger served as a university professor, and where his brother Georg still lives after many years of directing the renowned boys choir “Regensburger Domspatzen”. Finally, the group will spend two nights in the world-class city of Munich, the seat of Ratzinger’s archdiocese when he was an archbishop.

The pilgrimage dates are June 27 to July 6, 2008, and the Bavarian Pilgrimage Office has made all the arrangements. The cost per person, without airfare, is about Euro 570/730, double/single occupancy, which is about $800/1000 at current exchange rates. (Entrance fees, lunches, dinners, and tips are

	The façade of the Regensburg Cathedral.

not included.) Travel insurance is recommended and available at a reasonable cost. Air travel, which will vary widely depending on people´s needs, should be arranged with Candy Nesbit at Elite Travel, elitetravelcandy@snet.net , (203) 271-0623 or (800) 358-3548. Questions about the pilgrimage can be directed to Brennan Pursell at bipursell@gmail.com (610) 410-2780.