Host Father Paul D. Seil takes us on a type of travel log through Europe, including Poland, Italy and France, as he talks about pilgrimages on this month's "Our Daily Bread."

By definition a pilgrimage is a journey or search for spiritual meaning. Typically, it is an excursion to a shrine or other location of importance in one's faith life. Many religions attach spiritual significance to particular places, for example, the place of birth or death of saints. The location of one's "calling" or spiritual awakening is another example. Even places where miracles were performed or witnessed, or any site that is seen to have special spiritual meaning may become a pilgrimage. Such sites may be commemorated with shrines or temples that people are encouraged to visit for their own spiritual benefit.

"One of the best experiences of a pilgrimage is the opportunity to offer Mass at so many different places," said Father Seil. "In Poland I was able to celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy. In addition to experiencing the warmth of the Polish people and learning about their rich religious and social history, I was able to experience the intangible feeling of that place of holiness."

"I have made several pilgrimages to Italy and actually lived there for nearly four months in 2007 when I went on sabbatical to the Pontifical North American College to update myself," Father Seil said. "Rome has hundreds of churches and of all those I have been in, each had a particular beauty or an interesting history. The location that always transports me spiritually, however, is the basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. To share the peace of that town and the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare is terrifically uplifting. Not to mention that there are also some great places to partake of the local food specialties. Assisi is also a 'World Heritage Site' as designated by the United Nations."

Today's show is a type of road map of religion and recipes. On the menu is the Polish dish krokiet, a type of fried dumpling stuffed with beef, veal and pork, served with pickles, beets and a sweet carrot slaw; Italian fried cod fish nuggets; and from France a croque madame.

So tune in to "Our Daily Bread" on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 5:30 a.m. and noon on WKBW-TV Channel 7 to experience a trio of European recipes inspired by a trio of European pilgrimages. Remember, for the day's recipes go to www.odbtv.org.