Saint set jetting
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Saint set jetting is a form of religious tourism and pilgrimage in which enthusiasts, often dubbed "halo hoppers" or "sanctuary stalkers," visit hyper-specific historical locations tied to the lives of Catholic saints. Analogous to set jetting—the practice of traveling to film locations from movies and television—these "saint sightings" emphasize intimate, human-scale traces of holiness, such as the exact church pew where a saint received their First Communion, the apartment blessed by a future pope, or the hospital ward where a saint tended the sick. Unlike grand pilgrimage sites like Lourdes or St. Peter's Basilica, saint set jetting highlights overlooked spots that invite visitors to "walk in the footsteps" of saints, fostering a sense of personal connection to their everyday struggles and graces.
boundarystones.weta.org
The concept celebrates the "human side" of sanctity, portraying saints not as distant icons but as relatable figures who fidgeted through sacraments, shared meals in modest homes, or performed quiet acts of charity. Participants often use digital tools like Google Maps, hagiographies, and apps such as Hallow for navigation, blending detective work with devotion. Emerging in the digital age, it has gained traction among younger Catholics via social media, where pilgrims share geotagged photos and reflections, turning niche devotion into a communal quest.
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History
The roots of saint set jetting trace back to traditional Catholic pilgrimages, which have drawn the faithful to saints' tombs and relics since the early Church. However, the modern, location-specific variant draws inspiration from secular trends like set jetting, which surged in the 2010s with films such as The Lord of the Rings boosting tourism to New Zealand.
In a Catholic context, it echoes the "little way" of saints like Thérèse of Lisieux, who emphasized holiness in ordinary moments.The term "saint set jetting" was coined informally in online Catholic forums around 2020, amid a post-pandemic revival of domestic travel and virtual saint studies. By 2025, it had inspired guided tours, podcasts, and apps mapping "sacramental footprints"—sites linked to milestones like First Communion or Confirmation. A pivotal example is the 1976 blessing of a Parkfairfax apartment in Alexandria, Virginia, by then-Cardinal Karol Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II), which has become a touchstone for American enthusiasts seeking transatlantic ties to Polish heritage.
Concept
At its core, saint set jetting reimagines hagiography as a travelogue, prioritizing "hyper-specific" locales over broad biographies. Key elements include:Precision Mapping: Exact coordinates or addresses, such as the GPS point (38.84135121805537, -77.0784863495393) for the Szostak apartment in Parkfairfax, where Cardinal Wojtyła paused during his U.S. tour to bless the home of journalist John M. Szostak.
boundarystones.weta.org
Visitors might linger on the sidewalk, imagining the cardinal's prayer rippling through the mid-century complex. Human Moments: Focus on sacraments and vulnerabilities—e.g., a saint's childhood confirmation amid family hardships—evoking empathy over awe. Thematic Layers: Sites often tie to patronage, like healthcare spots for nurse-saints, encouraging prayers for contemporary needs. Community Rituals: Beyond visiting, "jetters" document with selfies, journal entries, or shared kremówki (cream cakes, a nod to John Paul II's favorites), blending tourism with testimony.
Critics note potential commodification of faith, but proponents argue it democratizes devotion, making sanctity accessible beyond elite pilgrimages.
Notable locations
Saint set jetting hotspots span continents, often clustered around sacramental or epiphanic events. Below are select examples:
John Paul II - Gianna Beretta Molla - Elizabeth Ann Seton - Thérèse of Lisieux - Carlo Acutis - John Paul II (pre-papacy) }