A pilgrimage is a profound and deeply personal experience, often led by a desire for spiritual growth and connection. Peter Bahou, founder and president of the travel company Peter’s Way Tours, knows this better than most. Born in the ancient city of Jaffa, Israel, Bahou was educated from a young age by the Franciscans of the Holy Land, who immersed him in the sacred stories and places of Christianity.
With a deep-rooted faith and a passion for connecting people to these holy sites, Bahou’s journey from a student with a love for adventure to the driving force behind a unique travel experience is one of inspiration.
“I grew up in a large family as one of six children,” Peter said. “One day, Brother Robert Minogue, who had originally come to the region from the Commissary of the Holy Land in Washington, D.C., came unannounced to our house while we were having dinner.”
In broken Arabic, Brother Minogue pointed at Bahou and said, “I want to take him to a boarding school with the Franciscans.”
“My father didn’t understand at first, but when he realized what Brother Robert wanted, he asked, ‘Why only him? Take all of them!’ Brother Robert froze, thinking my father was serious, but he quickly said, ‘No, I only want him,'” Bahou recalled with a laugh. “The Franciscans taught us many things at the Terra Sancta Schola — liturgical music, the Bible and reverence for the church. For me, it wasn’t just a school — it was everything I wanted to know and more.”
As Bahou’s education continued, so did his love for travel. He began accompanying Brother Robert on trips to places like the United States and Rome. It was through these experiences that Bahou felt compelled to bring people closer to God.
“With everything I had learned, I knew my purpose was to help others connect with the sacred,” he explained.
In 1984, Bahou reached out to cathedral music directors across the U.S., planting the seeds for what would become Peter’s Way Tours, which specializes in organizing trips for choruses and other music groups.
“At that time, we didn’t have computers. We relied on phone calls, writing letters and good old-fashioned legwork — I essentially traveled all around the U.S., visiting every cathedral with a map in my hand,” Bahou recalled. “Over the course of three months, I managed to convince 80 cathedral music directors to join me on a ‘familiarization trip’ to Rome during the feasts of All Saints and All Souls.”
That trip was transformative. The group experienced the beauty of liturgical music in the Vatican and received Communion from St. John Paul II, an encounter Bahou describes as deeply moving.
“Word spread quickly, not just among music directors, but throughout parishes,” Bahou said. “The music community is small, and word of mouth really gave us a boost.”
Since that trip more than 40 years ago, Peter’s Way Tours has grown. It still offers custom tours for musical groups, arranging opportunities for them to perform in beautiful historic churches. But it now also organizes traditional pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world, including Eastern Europe, the Marian shrines of France and Portugal, and Greece, where pilgrims follow in the footsteps of St. Paul.
Throughout the years, Bahou has experienced countless unforgettable moments through his work with Peter’s Way, including watching a choir perform a High Mass at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica. He’s also had the honor of meeting Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, both of whom left a lasting impression on him. However, one of his most cherished memories is an encounter with St. John Paul at Castel Gandolfo following several earlier interactions.
“I had brought about 300 people from choirs across Michigan,” Bahou recalled. “Pope John Paul II shook my hand and, with a smile, asked, ‘Who did you bring me this time?’ You can imagine how I felt!”
While Rome is a central destination for Peter’s Way Tours — especially in 2025, the Jubilee Year — there is one pilgrimage that holds a particularly special place in Bahou’s heart: the Holy Land.
“Everyone should experience the Holy Land at least once in their lifetime,” he emphasized. “It’s where the food of the soul — Christ’s teachings in the Gospels — come to life, from Bethlehem to the Annunciation to his ministry, passion, death and resurrection. While the Middle East faces many challenges, I remain hopeful for peace and look forward to the return of pilgrimages to the Holy Land.”
Looking ahead, Peter’s Way Tours is excited to plan pilgrimages to transformative destinations, including the Holy Land and Seoul for World Youth Day 2027.
Bahou is also committed to continuously improving the pilgrimage experience, especially for repeat travelers.
“It’s important for me to sit down with our clients and understand how we can make their experience even more meaningful,” he explained. “We’re always learning and adapting, while staying true to our traditions. Our goal is to offer a personal, deep connection to Christ and his church. We are passionate about guiding these spiritual journeys, and as long as God gives me the strength, we will continue serving this mission.”
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