Sincerely, Stephanie

Happy Wednesday, friends! It's time for another Instagram roundup ~ and this time I'll be sharing my IG's from my trip to Europe! I was fortunate enough to have free international data while I was overseas, so I was able to Instagram my way through my trip. It was a great way for me to share little bits of beauty from my trip with friends back home, and with you, my followers!

Let's relive some of my European adventures right now with this roundup:

Exploring the cute town of Nay, France. 🇫🇷

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 8, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

So I fell in love with Lourdes the other night. We attended a beautiful torchlight procession where we prayed the rosary with each Hail Mary in a different language, and this sunset was the backdrop. The beauty of this night filled my soul with joy.

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 10, 2016 at 5:40am PDT

Falling in love with France a little more each day. ❤️💙

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 11, 2016 at 8:27am PDT

Mont St. Michel was pretty darn incredible. Walking through its narrow cobblestone streets and visiting its chapels and cathedral made me feel like I was in a medieval village. (So basically, I was in heaven.)

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 12, 2016 at 8:51am PDT

Walking along Omaha Beach on a chilly, rainy day was a sobering and thought-provoking experience, as was visiting the Normandy American Cemetery. I cannot even begin to fathom the horrors of World War II that happened along the very beach that I walked. I am both deeply grieved and grateful for all the brave soldiers who gave their lives that our countries, as well as other countries, might have freedom.

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 14, 2016 at 1:42pm PDT

I was all smiles when I got to visit the Basilica of St. Therese (my patron saint) in Lisieux. (And I was there on the very first feast day of her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie, to make the day even better.) I've loved St. Therese for as long as I can remember, since I was a little girl... so some lifelong dreams came true on this beautiful day in Lisieux. ❤️🌹

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 16, 2016 at 11:24am PDT

I can't even describe how much I loved Prague! While I only got to be there for a few hours, that was enough time for me to fall in love with this beautiful city. I loved the buildings' unique architecture and lovely colors, the slippery stone walkways, the cafes and shops, and the enjoyable atmosphere. I definitely need to go back there someday, and make sure it's a (much) longer visit next time.

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 18, 2016 at 2:25pm PDT

Me and my college friend / fellow literature major / now travel buddy, enjoying Prague. 💕 P.S. You might be seeing a lot of Prague photos from me in the coming days... I'm too in love with that city not to share it!

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 19, 2016 at 7:12am PDT

More Prague lovin. You're welcome.

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 20, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

“To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendour and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe." {Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI} #throwbacktofrance #walkingtolourdes

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Jul 21, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT

It wouldn't have been a complete trip to Poland without trying real Polish paczki 👍🏻🇮🇩

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 1, 2016 at 7:12am PDT

The joy at World Youth Day was unlike a joy I've ever encountered. Over a million people, from dozens of countries all over the world, all proudly waving their country's flag and excitedly greeting people from other countries, all gathered in one place -- to strengthen their faith, to meet the Vicar of Christ, to be empowered as the young people of the Church, to encounter Christ. Every time the crowd sang the theme song, Blessed are the Merciful, my heart swelled with joy (while my eyes welled with tears). WYD was a truly beautiful and grace-filled experience.

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 2, 2016 at 2:51pm PDT

My favorite thing about Kraków is the amount of churches there are. So many churches ~ you wouldn't even believe how many! And every single one of them is breathtakingly beautiful, inside and outside. I had the opportunity to go to confession in one of them, to venerate Bl. Pier Georgio Frassati's relics in another, and to visit and admire many others. What blessings 🇮🇩 ❤️ #krakow2016 #wyd

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 3, 2016 at 6:04am PDT

Thanks for the memories, Kraków, and for being beautiful, and for managing wonderfully to host an extra couple million people. I'll definitely be back one day. 🇮🇩❤️ #krakow2016 #wyd

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 4, 2016 at 6:52am PDT

Paris.... When people say it's a dream, and that it's enchanting and majestic and romantic, it's 100% true. ❤️💙

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 5, 2016 at 9:50am PDT

Parisian cafes captured my heart ❤️💙☕️

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 7, 2016 at 9:05am PDT

Biking to Toulouse and getting gelato was a beautiful way to spend my last day in France. 🇫🇷 I'm now officially back home in the U.S. after an incredible and life-changing 5 weeks in Europe. Head over to my #blog for the first of many posts about my trip! {link in profile}

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 9, 2016 at 2:20pm PDT

#tbt to beautiful Prague. ❤️

A photo posted by Stephanie (@stephanie.therese) on Aug 11, 2016 at 2:23pm PDT