Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus - A Holy Land Pilgrimage

15/06/2019

Yesterday was quite the emotional day for many as our pilgrims had the opportunity to walk the Way of the Cross. This was also a first for me as well. On my previous trip we were unable to complete this part of the pilgrimage.

When it comes to a Holy Land Pilgrimage this is the culmination and the ultimate purpose of our journey. Through so much of our journey we were able to experience the joy of the gospel seen through lenses that now have an all new backdrop. However, this morning while walking the Way of the Cross we become intimately tied to Jesus’ suffering on the cross. This is why he came in to the world and this is why we know our suffering is never in vain.

Walking through the streets of the Old City there are people going about their lives ignoring us or annoyed by our group which is similar to what Jesus would have experienced. Upon reaching the Holy Sepulchre pilgrims cannot help but be overwhelmed by where they are and what they are doing. To pray the final 4 stations standing in the very place where Jesus breathed his last or where Mary held her son for the last time is beyond words or pictures.

Following this experience we were able to celebrate mass in the Catholic chapel of the Church where the pillar is kept the Jesus was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

After mass our pilgrims had the opportunity to venerate the tomb of Jesus as well as the place where the cross was mounted when Jesus conquered death.

Many of our pilgrims spent the afternoon walking the streets of the Old City taking in the culture, food, sights and sounds.

14/06/2019

Yesterday was another beautiful day in the Holy Land and we saw A LOT!

The entire first part of the day was spent on the Mt of Olives. We started with a mass at Bethpage which is the starting point for Palm Sunday. After that we took off for Pater Noster which is where tradition tells us that the apostles were taught the Our Father by Jesus.

From there we were able to walk down the mountain in a fashioned not too dissimilar from how Jesus would have traveled (minus the pavement). We stopped short of entering the city to pray in the place where Jesus wept over the city. From their we continued walking down to the Church of the Agony in the Garden at the Garden of Gethsemane. At this point we were able to see the rock that Jesus would have prayed at following the last supper. This is the location where he was arrested and taken away.

From this point we did a little detour back into Palestine to visit Herrod’s Palace outside of Jerusalem where the Magi would have visited him on the way to Bethlehem. This location is a earthen mound and structure that was built from scratch and really an impressive structure.

Following lunch in Bethlehem we traveled back to Jerusalem to visit a room that was built on the site of the upper room. This room is largely crusader era and a nice place to commemorate how Jesus melded numerous Jewish traditions into our present day Eucharist and the mass.

From the upper room we traveled to Dormitjon Abbey where Mary mother of Jesus lives in the later years of her life and would have been assumed into Heaven.

Our last stop of the day was spent at St Peter in Galicantu, the site of the High priests house. In this place Jesus was held on trial by the Sanhedrin and Peter denied knowing Jesus in the courtyard just outside.

This day was an excellent day to see how closely tied all of these activities are. From the high priests house you are able to see most of the Mount of Olives and therefore they could have seen Jesus ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday which would have given them real cause for concern. This also means that when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane he would have been able to see the guards of the high priests approaching and had the choice to run but chose not to. In order to get to and from the Upper Room it was necessary To traverse a large staircase/ road on the side of the high priests house which would have made it easy for Judas to slip off and betray Jesus. It also shows how close Jesus was to danger at several times. Yet he knew his cross and he accepted it all as the will of God.

This morning we start with Walking the Way of the Cross. Please pray that our pilgrims are able unite their suffering and that of their friends and family to the cross. May they better understand Jesus continual sacrifice to love us infinitely. And may they take the lessons of yesterday and today to see that it is a short period of time from Palm Sunday to the Cross.

13/06/2019

Yesterday was a joy filled but also very interesting day for our pilgrims. From the beginning of the day we knew that we had a sick pilgrim that might need some medical attention. However, we were still able to celebrate mass in the grotto at the Shepard’s fields before visiting the Church of the Nativity.

The pilgrims really enjoyed the opportunity to venerate the place where Jesus was born and to see the church that has stood for well over 1,000 years.

After lunch we were served lunch at the Franciscans Sisters house attached to the Church of St Catherine.

From this point on we got a bit of an education in Israeli medicine. One of pilgrims ended up needing their appendix removed. And while we thankfully have insurance for him there were a few hurdles to clear. Thankfully his procedure went well and he will rejoin the group soon. All is going well!

Following this we were able be a part of a ceremony at the Latin Patriarchate. 4 pilgrims that are members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem received their Pilgrim Shell. This is a very high honor for members of the order and is obtained by making a pilgrimage and celebrating mass at the Holy Sepulchre.

Please pray that our pilgrims experience in Bethlehem is a birth of new life in their relationship with Jesus. Please pray for the continued healing for our pilgrim in the hospital and that he is able to rejoin us as soon as possible.

11/06/2019

On this Tuesday morning of our pilgrimage experience we start out at the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. And from here we travel to Mt Tabor where Jesus was Transfigured before Peter, John and James. We are also fortunate enough to be celebrating mass at this church today.

Another fun experience for our pilgrims will be this afternoon when we get to renew our baptismal vows in the Jordan River.

The end of this day marks the beginning of the next phase of our pilgrimage where we can reflect on the life and death of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Please pray that our pilgrims are open to be transfigured in Christ image by the Holy Spirit working in their lives. Pray that by renewing their baptismal promises their spirit and commitment to living as Christians is renewed.

11/06/2019

Monday was such a special day starting out at the Mount of Beatitudes with the lesson from Jesus on how to truly know him by acts of service and love. And as we walked around I was struck by the variety of people and the crowds forming to pay homage to this site. All of these people drawn by their faith to better know the Lord.

What a wonderful thought/ meditative transition to our next stop in Capernaum where Jesus performed an untold number of signs but almost always said a major, key phrase “your faith has saved you.” Just as the woman who touched Jesus, the Centurion, and so many others sought Jesus because of their faith in who he is so too do our pilgrims.

Following mass we visited a 2,000 year old synagogue before a wonderfully fun lunch. After lunch we visited the Mensa Christi Chapel where Jesus appeared to his disciples on the shores of Galilee and asked Peter three times “do you love me.”

The day ended with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where everyone was able to slow down and relax after being so overwhelmed by all of the incredible experiences.

10/06/2019

As we start the beginning of Day 2 we continue the natural progression of Jesus’ life and reach the area where he would have started his teaching.

Yesterday was filled with what is sometimes called the “hidden years” from the time of Jesus’ birth till his first public miracle. We started by visiting the excavations of a metropolitan district in the town of Sephorris where Jesus and his father Joseph would’ve gone to make a living.

Then we toured the area around the Basilica of the annunciation to get a feel for what Jesus childhood home may have been like. After mass in the basilica we had time to pray at the cave where Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel.

From there we traveled a short drive to Cana where our pilgrims had the opportunity to renew their wedding vows.

Today, we follow the natural progression where learn more about Jesus life, the signs he performed, and the lessons he taught for us on how to live.

We start the day on the Mt of Beatitudes before traveling by water to Capernaum and then on to the site of Peter’s Primacy.

Please pray for our pilgrims to be open to accepting what lessons Jesus has taught us all and living as he has called us to live.

10/06/2019

09/06/2019

Fr House joined by the Keen’s bright and early to take in the views and pray before the day gets underway.

09/06/2019

Good morning pilgrims, friends and family! We are about to begin day one of our journey and I was delighted to see and handful of pilgrims out on the grounds this morning equally excited to start the day. As the sun breaks over the Golan Heights and floods the region with light so too does God’s love burst forth in our lives.

Today we visit several places but one in particular is this act of God’s never ceasing love for us most profound. The site of the Annunciation, where word became flesh, when God became man.

So while we get to start our day walking the garden like grounds of our retreat center on the hillside known as the Mt of Beautitudes our most important visits might be later today.

Please pray that our pilgrims during this day that they may be accepting of God’s will and intrusion in our lives. Pray that we may be as Mary was ‘Full of Grace’ ready to serve the Lord in our lives no matter how inconvenient the task or how unprepared we feel.

08/06/2019

Well everyone managed to get their luggage and we didn’t lose anyone going through Customs! We loaded our bus and started off for the final leg of our travels just to get to the Holy Land. We arrive at our retreat just as the sun was going down so We cannot show everyone just get how beautiful the grounds are. But we had a group dinner and our first mass of the pilgrimage.

Please pray for a transformative experience, for openness to the Holy Spirit and for peace and Joy for our pilgrims.

And I cannot wait to share more with everyone tomorrow!

08/06/2019

The first leg of our travel is behind us. Some pilgrims are a little groggy after the 9 hour leg from O’Hare, some are still pretty chipper! Keep praying for safe travels. We’ll be in the Holy Land pretty soon!