MANILA, Philippines?Boots Anson-Roa is so busy with her many different concerns (as TV-film-stage thespian, Mowelfund head, teacher, endorser, radio program host, etc.) that she has a hard time finding a big enough window of opportunity for her to take a much-needed break.

This October, however, she?s putting everything on hold to go on a ?much-needed? spiritual journey, a unique pilgrimage to the most significant Marian and miracle sites of Europe?in Italy, Spain, Portugal and France.

Boots is excited about this particular pilgrimage tour organized by Pearl Buenafe and Ephesus Travel and Tours, because she?s been a Marian devotee from childhood. In addition, she?s played the Blessed Virgin Mary in so many productions that she?s lost count.

So, her desire to visit the Marian apparition sites of Fatima and Lourdes and other religious sites is intense, hence her enthusiasm for the Oct. 17-31 pilgrimage, not just for herself but for other devotees, as well.

The ?Marian and Eucharistic Miracle Sites? pilgrimage starts off in Rome and the Vatican, and Boots observes that this is a good way to begin, because it enables pilgrims to connect with ?the roots and heroes of the Catholic faith.?

Spiritual journey

The next leg of the spiritual journey is personally significant to Boots, because it takes her group to San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio lived and died. Boots? late husband, Pete, was devoted to St. Pio, so Boots? gratitude to the saint is strong. She will also produce a documentary on St. Pio for the St. Padre Pio Center and Prime, the foundation she put up to perpetuate Pete?s most cherished involvements.

The first Eucharistic miracle site on the itinerary is Lanciano, where the holy host turned into flesh and Mass wine was transformed into blood. Then, on to Assisi, where St. Francis lived. Boots recalls that the saint?s beautiful prayer (?Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace...?) moved her so much when she first read it that she?s made it one of her spiritual guideposts ever since.

She also feels an affinity to St. Claire, so she?s looking forward to viewing the revered saint?s incorrupt body.

From Italy to Spain: The pilgrimage visits Barcelona and Montserrat for their religious sites, including the Sagrada Familia and the famous Basilica of the Black Virgin (Virgen Morenata). Boots recalls the strong spiritual and cultural links between Spain and the Philippines, so she?s eager to affirm those ties for herself.

Lineage

Next, the pilgrim group visits its first Marian apparition site, Fatima in Portugal. Boots sees a special significance in Fatima, because the Blessed Virgin Mary chose to appear there to three children, indicating that power and lineage mean nothing to Her, and that She?s everybody?s Mother.

In France, the Filipino pilgrims first visit Lourdes, where the Virgin appeared to a simple village girl, Bernadette Soubirous. Boots looks forward to interacting with devotees from all over the world, specifically with the volunteers who spend months each year in Lourdes to help take care of the sick and disabled. Two of her close friends have done that, as well, so she hopes that, after this visit to Lourdes, she can also join them as a volunteer next year.

Spirituality

As a followup to Lourdes, the group next heads for Nevers to visit St. Bernadette?s tomb. Then, it?s on to Lisieux, home of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, which Boots visited last year. Ever since her high school year, Boots has been drawn to St. Therese?s simple, ?hidden? spirituality.

During her husband Pete?s long illness, she would occasionally ask the saint for ?signs of discernment,? and felt spiritually affirmed when they came her way. For this and other reasons, Boots is now the spokesperson of the St. Therese Columbarium.

On Day 14, the pilgrimage winds up in Paris, where it acquires a cultural dimension with a visit to the Louvre museum and other must-see sites, before the group?s departure Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal.

Call Ephesus Travel and Tours at (02) 527-1251, fax 314-0301, mobile 0917 893-8267, e-mail inquire@ephesustravelmanila.com. Pearl Buenafe may be reached at 434-3950, or pearlbuenafe@hotmail.com.