Since I made the decision to leave my secular career to pursue speaking and writing on the Catholic faith full-time, God has put people in my path who have been a tremendous blessing to me and my work in the Lord’s vineyard. These partnerships have allowed my apostolates to grow and expand around the world. Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc is one of those people. Her passion, enthusiasm, and love for the Catholic faith is infectious! I had been discerning the Lord’s call for me to offer pilgrimages and I wasn’t sure if this was God’s will–until I went on pilgrimage with Ellen. Then I knew that God was calling me to work with her in the ministry of pilgrimage. Ellen has been helping me grow a pilgrimage ministry that will revolutionize the way pilgrimages are done. With Ellen’s guidance, pilgrims will experience the depth of God’s love in a way that will be transformative and deeply meaningful. I am excited about what the future holds as we develop a contemplative pilgrimage ministry that will serve the universal Church.
Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers (YouTube), Co-Host of Awaken Catholic’s The Prodigal Life.
I highly recommend Ellen Holmes as a guide for your next pilgrimage. Her positive energy and concern for each and every pilgrim is evident as she navigates the daily needs of the pilgrims. She has enough love and wit about her to make every circumstance an opportunity to serve with love.
Ellen’s love for her Catholic faith is evident as she tours with spiritual leaders (priests, deacons etc.) who will captivate your heart with daily teachings – deepening your faith is a goal she highly values and works to ensure with ease. Blessings abound when your eyes are opened to the wonder of our Catholic faith!
Kari Fields, France 2022 Pilgrim
Thanks for all your enthusiasm for being a “bond of connection” for all of us who were on the Pilgrimage.
Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, Priest in Residence, St. Francis Church, Hoboken NJ
Holy Land 2018 Spiritual Trip Leader
Tom and I are leaving Ireland with wonderful memories and an increase in our Catholic Faith and knowledge thanks to you. It has truly been a blessing to be among this small and special group of pilgrims. Blessings to you and all that you do – today and in the days ahead.
Tom & Celie Windham, Ireland 2022 Pilgrim
Ellen entered my life during a Holy Land pilgrimage. I had taken a leap of faith traveling with 100 pilgrims whom I did not know on my first trip out of the country. Then God sent me Ellen. A born leader/organizer, she quickly helped keep our group together and supplied for our needs. Her compassionate, caring nature and love of God made my pilgrimage unforgettable. Ellen is a person who will always be there when you need help – materially and spiritually. I look forward to our next pilgrimage.
Mollie Boeving, Holy Land 2019 Pilgrim
I met Ellen Holmes on a pilgrimage to the Shrines of France with Father Chris Alar in 2023. She was our “Tour Director Extraordinaire!” She greeted everyone, every day with a huge smile and was able to greet you by name quickly. We had a tour guide, a catholic priest, deacon, and brother who handled all of the commentary for the shrines we explored. However, Ellen handled everything else.
There was an elderly gentleman on our pilgrimage who was a Veteran who was wheelchair bound. When we landed in Paris he learned his wheelchair had been severely damaged by the airline. Ellen immediately called the U.S. Embassy, spoke to several people and asked them to deliver a wheelchair to him at our hotel that was hours away from Paris. The wheelchair beat us to the hotel that’s how resourceful she is!
During our time on the bus she kept us busy engaging us by singing beautiful catholic hymns, reciting the rosary together with pilgrims chosen to offer each of the mysteries. She also led “Ask the clergy” hours where she asked everyone to write down a question that they were curious about, no need to sign it, fold it up and pass it to the front of the bus where the clergy were. It led to some VERY interesting and rich catholic faith discussions.
Ellen engaged with all of the pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage organizing lunch options when we were making stops, would show the ladies where the restrooms were and also repeatedly tell us our deadline to be on the buses.
I met up with her again a year later at an Ordination and you’d think she was hosting a pilgrimage. Ellen is the ultimate “Catholic Concierge” and is a tremendous bonus to every pilgrimage you’re blessed to go on with her.
Terri Stanton
Ellen Holmes Steeves-LeBlanc was a great asset to our pilgrimage. She was like a mother watching after all her little children to make sure they were all OK and had everything they needed. I am sure that we would have had some rocky moments had she not been with us during this pilgrimage.
John & Yolanda Stevens
