On Thursday, March 6 there was an attack on a Jewish Yeshiva (religious Jewish school) in West Jerusalem. The target was as usual, a site far removed from pilgrimage sites in East Jerusalem and aimed at Jews, not Americans or pilgrims. This event took place the same time a bomb went off in Times Square in New York, yet no one is afraid to visit the United States.
The attack was far from pilgrimage sites and anywhere we as pilgrims visit. Again, Catholic pilgrims and our Arab Christian guides and drivers are not the target of such violence, nor are we ever in harm's way. Gaza too is far removed and isolated from our itinerary.
Just Returned from Israel
February 29, 2008
The pilgrims unanimously proclaimed they never felt any danger or unease. They said they felt as safe with us in the Holy Land as they do in the United States. It was quite, safe and beautiful. Everyone was friendly and warm. Those who avoid the Holy Land because of fear have nothing to fear but fear itself.
You can read many of the testimonials on my Endorsement page.
Suicide Bomb 2/4/08
for a larger image of this map, click here
The problem today 2/4/08 was in Dimona (Red Circle). We will be far removed from this area and Gaza by staying mainly in the Blue Circles. It has no effect on us or our pilgrimage. Everything below the Green Line is the desert of Negeve and we never get near this area.
This was the first such attack in over a year. Attacks have been greatly reduced because of the security fence erected by Israel.
This attack was far south of anywhere we will go on our pilgrimages. Never have you heard of a suicide attack at pilgrimage sites or places we visit.
These attacks are targeted at malls, places young Jewish kids hang out and shopping centers--all of which we avoid and have no need to frequent.
This recent isolated attack will not effect us or our pilgrimages.
Fighting in Gaza
September 24, 2007
All you have to do is turn on the TV to see fighting, fires, and funerals in Gaza. Almost makes one afraid to visit the Holy Land, right? NO, not right. See the map below.
We just returned from the Holy Land with 55 pilgrims. At the end of the trip they were laughing at all those who told them it was dangerous to travel to Israel. They saw NOTHING to alarm them. They saw a wonderful, beautiful and friendly country. We visited all the Holy Sites without the least of problems.
The fighting you see on TV is almost exclusively in Gaza which is a small strip of land 130 square miles on the Egyptian border. It is tightly contained within those borders. The recent fighting is not between Israel and the Palestinians, but mainly between two Muslim Palestinian factions: Hamas and Fatah. And what else is new? This has been going on for a long time. Gaza has always been a hotbed of dissension and strife, but it has no impact on pilgrims.
This infighting is of no threat to pilgrims. The holy sites we visit are far removed from the problems of Gaza. Tours and pilgrimages are at this moment traveling all over Israel and the holy sites without the least problem. There are approximately 100,000 pilgrims and tourists in Israel.
Don't let fear have it's way. People over there are afraid to come to America because the News makes it seem like the USA is extremely dangerous with planes flying into tall buildings, kids shot up in high schools, murders and rapes on every street corner. The news blows everything out of proportion.
We have trips planned (some already full) for November, January, February, April, September and November. There is no threat or even inconvenience for these groups. Nothing has changed since we started taking groups and we invite you to join us.
Visiting Catholic bishops urge support for Christians in Holy Land 
Jan. 18, 2007 (CWNews.com) - After a week-long visit to the Holy Land, a group of Catholic bishops from Europe and North America has issued a encouraging Catholic pilgrims to visit Israel and support the Christians of the Holy Land.
Vatican Encourages Pilgrimages to the Holy Land
JERUSALEM POST, December 12, 2006
Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are encouraged by the new Vatican ambassador to that area of the world. The Jerusalem Post reports Monsignor Antonio Franco encouraged Christian pilgrims around the world to visit the country despite the uncertain political situation between Israel and the Palestinians. Franco said at a recent reception hosted by Israel's Ministry of Tourism that "I will do whatever is in my power to promote and encourage pilgrimages to the Holy Land."
Encounter Christ in Rome, Pope Urges Pilgrims
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI expressed his hope that the millions of pilgrims who visit Rome this year will have a living encounter with Christ.
In comments he made today in his annual address to the General Inspectorate for Public Security at the Vatican, the Holy Father said places such as St. Peter's Basilica and Bernini's colonnade are "places that contain great treasures of history and art; above all they are places where, by some inscrutable mystery, the living encounter of the faithful with the Lord Jesus takes place."
Our Bishop's Endorsement
Our bishop, His Excellency Carl Mengeling, wrote us a glowing endorsement.
You can read it here.
For other safety updates, visit http://www.goisrael.com. For advice, ideas and even more current status of conditions in Israel call 1-888-77-ISRAEL.
There is also a 24/7 information hot-line in Israel that can provide up-to-the second information. From North America, call 011-972-3-520-7600, or during your trip in Israel, call 03-520-7600.
Our June and October Pilgrimages was SPECTACULAR!
The pilgrims were wonderful-- we were all blessed!
Read my blog for the day-to-day adventures!
For over 350 pictures, click here!
What did Fr. Gerald say? Click here.
If you want to go to the Holy Land, there are still seats available in March 2007. We will not have another "open to the public" pilgrimage for over a year. If you are concerned about safety, watch my blog.
E-mail Corporate Travel or call at 800-727-1999 ext. 121, or 313-565-8888 ext 121. Watch of Pilgrimage website.
(
For larger images, click on the pictures.)
Above: Pilgrims posing with the Jordan River behind where we all renewed our baptismal vows.
Right: The "A Team" from left to right: Ascort and assistant Dee McNoskey, My Man in Israel Raji Khoury of Shepherd Tours, our dear friend Bishop Kamal Bathish, Steve Ray, Steve's daughter Emily, Janet Ray and Fr. Gerald Gawronski our spiritual director.
In Bethlehem you will hear Our Lords' Prayer in His own language. This is the "Our Father" written in Syriac Aramaic -- the language Jesus spoke in his every day life. We think we know him and how he lived, but take a look at this prayer and see if you can make any sense out of it. Surprise! He didn't speak English! And he was not called "Jesus" -- he was called "Yeshua."
I LOVE to learn all I can about Our Lord and the culture and times in which he lived. The Holy Land is like a 5th Gospel -- it helps us understand and know more deeply.
There are still Syrian Christians who speak Aramaic and their Mass or Liturgy is still celebrated in Our Lord's language. On our pilgrimages yoiu will hear the Lord's Prayer -- the Our Father -- in the language of Jesus. Fascinating!
Support Christians in the Holy Land
Purchase Christmas Gifts from the Holy Land
Recent Kind Words
John and I just finished watching the DVD of my pilgrimage with you in January. A priest friend was here for dinner and watched it with us. He has been to the Holy Land on several occasions. We were ALL impressed with the wonderful keepsake DVD. It is just so well done.! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!
Mary Ann Kuharski
Prolife Across America
Jim and I chose the Legatus pilgrimage to the Holy Land precisely because Steve Ray was leading it. He exceeded our expectations in his comprehensive knowledge of the Scriptures and especially in his love for the traditions of the early Church. Steve not only teaches with great passion and insight, but his love for the truths of the faith was palpable. Steve and Janet made sure that we saw as much as possible of the holy sites where Jesus and Mary lived and walked, and made their presence alive for us. We were privileged to have Mass every day at one of the holy sites. We also made the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, an emotional experience, despite the hustle and bustle of the city.
We are still sharing our memories and blessings with our family and friends. We already have friends who are ready to take the next trip with Steve and Janet, based upon our recommendations. It was a five-star experience in every way!
Jim & Cathy McConn
Legatus members
Our trip to the Holy Land was great; the experience walking in the foot steps of our Lord will never be forgotten. We can’t say enough about our learning experience. Steve and Janet did a great job presenting the experience to us; their knowledge of the Holy Land is unbelievable. I can’t say enough about the job they have done. When Steve says it is safe to visit the Holy Land; I would not hesitate.
Kenny & Kate Wood (Legatus members)
Steve & Janet:
Louise & I would just like to thank you again for an unforgetable Pilgrimage. The planning and professionalism was first rate including not only your apologetics, but the local flair added by Amer, the daily masses conducted by Father Gerald and the logistical support by the Legatus Team.
It's no secret that we had our concerns about security before the trip but we are so glad that we forged ahead and I must say that we never felt a moments anxiety, quite the opposite. A cloud by day and a pilar of fire by night, we were enshrouded in safety and His Love every step of the way. I'm looking forward to returning on future trips. Thanks Again and God Bless,
Patrick and Louise Rainey (Legatus members)
Peggy and I had a marvelous experience. You guys took such personal care of us , we thought we were on a family outing! The Holy Land is one of the most exciting places, bothe spiritually and politically.
We returned home to the Midwest with a brand new perspective on the world and on the history of our religion.
Larry and Peg Myers (Legatus members)
For more comments, click here
Two New Articles
Both in PDF format
Read the new article about our Pilgrimages in Legatus Magazine. Click here.
For the latest on the pilgrimage in light of hostilities in the north, read below or click here.
