An Unconventional Religious Pilgrimage That's Not Too Far From Home

When most people think about religious pilgrimages, they typically think about the Holy Land, Rome/Vatican City, Lourdes, Fatima, or the Camino de Santiago to name a few. This August, I will be making a religious pilgrimage to the cradle of Christianity in the New World - the Dominican Republic.

For those who do not know, my B.A. is in Integrated Social Studies. That is essentially a History/Education double major. I have always been fascinated with history, especially the history of Christianity - from its roots in the Holy Land, to its rise in the Roman Empire, to its prominent place in the governments of France, Spain, England, etc, to the conversion of millions of indigenous people in the New World, to the modern day. It is the growth of Christianity throughout the New World that is of great interest to me. 

Today, I am a building administrator in a dropout prevention and credit recovery charter high school serving at-risk, inner-city youth in Columbus Ohio. Many of our students are immigrants, coming to us from Africa and Latin America. I have devoted my life to serving those who are less fortunate. I really try to live my life according to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “As you did it to the least of these, my brethren, you did it to Me.” On top of being a building administrator, I am also a theologian, having earned my Master of Arts in Theology in 2019. 

When I was studying for my undergrad, I always wanted to study abroad, but never got the chance, as I was working a full-time job to support myself at that time. I also always desired to take a mission trip to the Caribbean to serve some of our poorest, yet, most faithful Catholics. This trip will give me the opportunity to explore the roots of Christianity in the Americas - something I would have wanted to do had I been able to study abroad. Also, while I will not be able to build houses or dig wells during my short time in the Dominican Republic - as I might do on a mission trip, I can provide something that is also of great need in the country - money.

During my visit, I will be staying in Santo Domingo, but I will also be visiting different parts of the island including Puerto Plata, La Isabela, Santiago, and Punta Cana. In every city, I will be visiting as many local proprietors (shops, restaurants, street vendors, etc.), as I can. I want to give as much as I can while I am there. While I do not have much, I want to be able to share what God has blessed me with - especially with those who have not been blessed in the same ways that I have been. I will be visiting Catholic Churches in every city I visit as well. The more money I raise, the more money I will be able to donate in the Churches’ poor boxes. On Sunday, August 6, I will be going to Mass at the Basilica Cathedral de Santa Maria la Menor, the oldest Cathedral in the New World. Whatever remaining money I have from what I have raised, will be donated at the Cathedral.

Please consider making a donation, not to make my trip “more fun,” but to help me make as much of a contribution to the lives and economy of the Dominican people I encounter as I can. I will carry your personal intentions with me to every Church I visit. A link to my Go Fund Me is below:

An Unconventional Religious Pilgrimage

Thank you!

Below is my itinerary (so far) with a description of why each site is significant:

Thursday, Aug. 3

4:00 am - Check-in at CMH

6:29 am - Take off

Layover at MIA (Miami) - 2 h 10 m

1:42 pm - Land at SDQ (Santo Domingo)

3:00 pm - Check-in to Hotel

3:45 pm - Visit Faro a Colon (Columbus Lighthouse)

Inaugurated in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the Dominican Republic. His tomb is here as well.

5:00 pm - Visit Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses)

Built in 1511, it was the main government office of the Spanish colony in the Dominican Republic.
*Any Catholic Churches I come across as I travel throughout the city, I will be visiting and making a donation to their poor box.

Friday, Aug. 4

Bus trip to Puerto Plata and La Isabela

7:00 am - Depart on bus for Puerto Plata

Bus stops briefly in Santiago

10:20 am - Arrive in Puerto Plata

10:30 am - Uber to La Isabela

11:30 am - Arrive in La Isabela

La Isabela was founded by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in December, 1493, and named after Queen Isabella I of Castille.

Visit Templo de las Américas (Temple of the Americas)

This is the site of the very first Mass offered in the New World on January 6, 1494.

Visit National Park Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus National Park)

1:30 pm - Uber to Puerto Plata

2:30 pm - Arrive in Puerto Plata

Visit Fortaleza San Felipe

Commissioned by King Felipe II of Spain in 1564 and completed in 1577, this fortress protected the city of Puerto Plata from pirates. It was also the scene of a few land battles during the Quasi-War, an undeclared naval battle between French and American forces from 1798-1800.

Teleférico de Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata Cable Car)

At the top of Ysabel de Torres Mountain, looking over the city of Puerto Plata is Christ the Redeemer. He stands 38 meters (124 feet) tall and overlooks the city from 793 meters (2,600 feet). It is similar in size to the more well-known Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, except the one in Brazil overlooks the city from only 700 meters (2,300 feet). 

4:00 pm - Depart on bus for Santo Domingo

Bus stops briefly in Santiago

7:20 pm - Arrive in Santo Domingo

*Any Catholic Churches I come across as I travel throughout and between the cities, I will be visiting and making a donation to their poor box.

Saturday, Aug. 5

Bus trip to Punta Cana

7:00 am - Depart on bus for Punta Cana

9:15 am - Arrive in Punta Cana

9:45 am - Visit Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas (Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve)

This is a 1,500 acre nature preserve that is home to over 500 different plant and animal species. The park is operated by Grupo Puntacana Foundation, an organization specializing in improving sustainability efforts in the Dominican Republic.

12:00 pm - Visit Hoyo Azul Cenote

Cenotes are stunningly beautiful natural works of art. Crystal blue water surrounded by beautiful landscape, carved into the rock below by the hands of God. I have visited cenotes in Mexico - at Chichen Itza. Hoyo Azul Cenote also offers cliff jumping. While the “cliff” is only 15 feet high, it still makes for quite the adventure for one who has never cliff jumped before.

There are several Catholic Churches spread out throughout Punta Cana. Any Church I come across, I will stop in.

4:15 pm - Depart of bus for Santo Domingo

6:30 pm - Arrive in Santo Domingo

*Any Catholic Churches I come across as I travel throughout and between the cities, I will be visiting and making a donation to their poor box.

Sunday, Aug. 6

12:00 pm - Mass at Cathedral de Santa Maria la Menor (Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Annunciation).

1:30 pm - Visit the Cathedral Museum

2:30 pm - Visit Monasterio de San Francisco (Monastery of St. Francis)

This was the first monastery built in the New World. Two earthquakes, in 1673 and 1751, along with a hurricane in 1930, all but destroyed the monastery. Today, the ruins of the first monastery in the New World remain in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.

3:30 pm - Visit Alcazar de Colon (Viceregal Palace of Don Diego Colon)

Built between 1511 and 1514, this palace was originally occupied by Diego Colon, the eldest son of Christopher Columbus. He served as Admiral of the Ocean Sea, Viceroy of the Indies, and Governor of the Indies, succeeding his father in all of those roles.

4:30 pm - Visit Fortaleza Ozama (Ozama Fortress)

Built between 1502-1508, this fortress sat at the entrance to Santo Domingo's colonial city and overlooks the Ozama River.

6:00 pm - Traditional Latin Mass at Santuario Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Altagracia) if available.

According to LatinMassDir.org, there is a Sung Traditional Latin Mass on the first Sunday of the month. Granted, things are always subject to change.

*Any Catholic Churches I come across as I travel throughout the city, I will be visiting and making a donation to their poor box.

If time allows during my trip, or certain sites cannot be visited, I would also like to try and visit the following places:

Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of the Dominican Man). This museum displays pre-Columbian Dominican culture including Taino artifacts.

Museo Memorial de la Resistencia Dominicana (Memorial Museum of Dominican Resistance). This Museum is dedicated to the struggles of several generations of Dominicans during the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).

Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (National Museum of Natural History)

Parque Colon (Columbus Park)

Monday, Aug. 7

8:00 am - Check-out of Embassy Suites

8:30 am - Check-in at SDQ

11:57 am - Take off

Layover at MIA - 1 h 35 m

Layover at LGA (Laguardia) - 45 m

9:36 pm - Land at CMH