Official Film’s “Journey of Faith” was filmed during the 1950 Holy Year Pilgrimage led by His Eminence Cardinal Francis Spellman. Pope Pius XII created him Cardinal-Priest of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on February 18, 1946.

His Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman addresses the viewer (0:38). As the spiritual leader of the New York Archdiocese, Cardinal Spellman led a Pilgrimage to Rome, with 500 pilgrims. Viewers see exterior shots of Saint Peter’s Square (1:24). Cardinal Spellman stands aboard The Atlantic, addressing film crews (1:38). The bow of the ship cuts through the open sea. Cardinal Spellman leads the daily Mass in the shipboard chapel (1:56). Parishioners celebrate Ash Wednesday, and Cardinal Spellman distributes holy ashes to the faithful (2:12). Parishioners are seen kneeling and praying, congregating before the altar (2:37). Cardinal Spellman performs the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament (2:43).

Cardinal Spellman leads a Benediction service in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in the Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal (3:47). In 1917, three peasant children, Lucia Santos and her two cousins, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who allegedly divulged three secrets to them. The travelers bless themselves with holy water from a spigot at the base of the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue (4:24).

Cardinal Spellman conducts an outdoor Mass on the aft deck (4:42). The Rock of Gibraltar is seen in the background. Cardinal Spellman mingles with parishioners on the deck of the ship. The Atlantic arrives at the Grand Harbour (the Port of Valletta) in Malta (6:04).

Cardinal Spellman stands on the balcony of the Governor’s Palace (now the Grandmaster’s Palace), flanked by Sir Charles Bonham-Carter, the British Governor of Malta, and Archbishop Gonzi. He addresses the faithful gathered in the square below (6:45). The crowd cheers (7:13).

Viewers see the Port of Naples, with Monte Solaro and Mount Vesuvius visible in the distance (7:21). Cardinal Spellman shakes hands with the ship’s captain, while the Mayor of Naples Domenico Moscati and the auxiliary bishop stand nearby to welcome the guests (7:30).

Cardinal Spellman leads the procession as they walk past the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, ending at Saint Peter’s Basilica (7:53). They gather at the Basilica of Saints John and Paul on the Caelian Hill, the church assigned to Cardinal Spellman (8:17). Cardinal Spellman leads a procession down a cobblestone road toward the church, celebrating Holy Mass (8:37).

St. Peter’s Square (9:12). Cardinal Spellman carries the cross, flanked by monsignors with lighted candles, and followed by the American flag (9:18). They approach the Holy Door, which is only opened during Jubilee years (Holy Year), and Cardinal Spellman enters, followed by priests, monsignors, and pilgrims. Cardinal Spellman passes carrying the cross (9:52). Pope Pius XII is carried on the sedia gestatoria past the bronze altar where he conducts Mass (10:26).

Viewers see a picture of Saint Dominic Savio, the patron of choirboys (10:52). He was an adolescent student of the Salesian Order, and well known to Saint John Bosco. He died of an illness at 14.

Cardinal Spellman walks behind the sedia gestatoria and the crowds cheer (11:11). Pope Pius XII is carried through the basilica (11:23).

The travelers gather in front of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy amid a replica of Michelangelo’s David and Baccio Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus (12:08). A local guide (12:34).

Viewers see a wide shot of Cannes on the French Riviera (12:40). Folk dancers perform a ritual dance of Amazing Grace in celebration of the spring planting (13:31). Cardinal Spellman lights a pile of branches, symbolizing the fires of spring (14:01).

Wide shot of the Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria in Manresa, Catalonia, Spain (14:44). Saint Ignatius of Loyola meditated in a cave beneath the cathedral, where he conceived his Spiritual Exercises. He went on to found the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Cardinal Spellman is seen in the pulpit, addressing the crowd (15:50).

As the travelers prepare for their voyage home, the ship’s funnel and the whistle blows (16:14). Travelers stand on the deck and gaze at the shoreline of the Azores Islands (16:25). The bow of the ship nosedives into the ocean (16:49).

Cardinal Spellman conducts a service, praying the rosary (17:10). A rainbow appears (17:43). Passengers bid farewell to Cardinal Spellman (17:53).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com