BagOfNothing.com

A contest from Geez Magazine:

. . . because social change is a bit awkward

We want sermons that explore the awkwardness of too much privilege, right-wing relatives, the drunk stranger in the back pew, our pad in the comfy end of the global village, litter in the poor part of town.

Maybe the key to social change and spiritual growth is found in stumbling, fumbling, oafish awkwardness. Our pulpit awaits.

$1,200 in prizes
Plus we’ll print winners (and others) in Geez magazine, Spring 2009

Deadline: February 28, 2009

Word limit: 800

Check out last year’s winners here.

Mexico City finished first in a list of the world’s most visited religious tourism destinations, ahead of the Vatican and Lourdes in France, reports Milenio.

A study carried out by the Spanish Office of Tourism found that Mexico’s capital is the preferred destination of tourists seeking religious sites, largely because of its Basilica de Guadalupe, which receives millions of pilgrims each year.

The site of the basilica marks the spot where, according to Catholic tradition, the Virgin de Guadalupe — Mexico’s most revered saint — appeared to indigenous farmer Juan Diego in 1531. Every year, millions of pilgrims make their way to the shrine — arriving in their biggest numbers around Dec. 12, the Dia de la Virgin.

LA Times