Actually the wedding is in Nazareth, but that is only four miles away. Janet and I are going to the wedding of Nagum Shehadeh who is the beautiful daughter of our friend and local Catholic guide Amer.

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I will also be posting YouTube videos of this authentic Holy Land pilgrimage here on my blog at http://www.CatholicConvert.com/2010.

While there Janet and I will be renting a car, exploring new places, running new trails (like from Nazareth to Cana) and working on our next book for Ignatius Press. Keep us in your prayers.

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Exhilarating and exhausting time in Sydney. Great Lebanese lunch with local family. Talked last night on Peter and the Church; discussed with inquisitive and hungry young people until late into the night. Today to Canberra to give talk on Raising a Catholic Family. Ran six miles over the last two days – keeping in shape Down Under.

Our pilgrims spoke over 12 languages and here are all of them sharing the OUR FATHER in their languages. What a beautiful way to show the universality of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church!

Part I

Part II

The early morning walk of the Via Dolorosa to the Tomb of Christ for Mass is always the high point on any pilgrimage. Enjoy!

Part I (see Part II below)

After returning for breakfast we took off for St. Ann’s Church for singing and teaching (perfect acoustics), then to watch Bar Mitzvahs at the Western Wall. Free afternoon, group run around the Walls of Jerusalem, the Holy Shroud Exhibit and a free afternoon.

A Fun-Run around the Walls of Old Jerusalem stopping at each gate.

Day Six, Parts I and II: Mass at Gethsemane, visit to Mount of Olives, Pater Noster Church, Lunch and Mount Zion.

Visited Promenade to get expansive “aerial” view of Jerusalem where I gave a 20-minute overview of all of Salvation History.

Then to Abby of the Dormitian, the Upper Room and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Jesus was imprisoned over Holy Thursday night and where Peter denied Jesus. We had dinner at the hotel.

Part I

Part II

Part II of our full Bethlehem Day. We finished by going to Hebron to see the tomb of Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebecca, Jacob and Leah in the Machpelah. It was very special to see the city of the Patriarchs and where King David began to be king.

We then had a festive dinner in Bethlehem where we ate stuffed lamb with Palestinian rice and many other fine foods and wine. Then we danced!

Today we started out at Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish — and yes, it WAS a miracle and not just a lot of people learning to share. Then to Capernaum where I gave my talk “Defending the Eucharist” before we had Mass at Peter’s House. Everyone took pictures of the synagogue where Jesus said, “Eat My Flesh and Drink My Blood.”

Next we ate St. Peter’s Fish at the Tanureen Restaurant before the drive south UP to Jerusalem. It is always UP to Jerusalem since it is where God dwells and is the highest place on the earth. Along the way I gave my conversion story on the buses, Fr. Ahn gave his vocation story and Teresa Tomeo told her story of her coming back to the Church.

We stopped at Ein Kerem to visit the Church of the Visitation where I gave my talk on Mary, Ark of the New Covenant. Then we arrived at the Notre Dame Hotel in Jerusalem which is across the street from the Old City and the Holy Sepulchre. Everyone had a great dinner and went to bed though we did arrive early and had some free time.

Tomorrow we spend the whole day in Bethlehem.

Last week I ran through Assisi in the footprints of St. Francis. Thought you would enjoy the pictures and videos in this YouTube movie.

Another great day with no problems but a lot of great things happening. Today we went on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Then we visited the museum to see the Ancient Jesus Boat — a boat 2,000 years old found in the Sea of Galilee.

Then we had Mass on the top of the Mount of Beatitudes before driving north to Banias — Caesarea Philippi. I told my conversion story on one bus while Teresa Tomeo and the priests told their stories on the other two buses.

We visited the huge rock where Jesus said, “You are Peter (Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church.” Here we also renewed our baptismal vows in the headwaters of the Jordan River.

Next we had lunch at a Druze Restaurant, drove along the Syrian border and gave everone the last part of the afternoon free. Buses 1 and 2 drove north to Rosh Pina for dinner at Aberge Shulamit (more on this later). Everyone had a great time with the comedy club on the bus on the ride home.

Everyone is doing fine and having a great time. People comments today on how safe and beautiful the country is.

Today we went to the top of Mount Tabor where the Transfiguration took place; then we renewed Wedding Vows in the church in Cana where Jesus turned water into wine (John 2).

Then we had an authentic Nazareth lunch before going to the Grotto where Gabriel announced the birth of the Savior and the Incarnation began. The altar says “The Word Became Flesh HERE!” We had Mass in front of this cave.

I gave a talk “A Day in the Life of the Holy Family” above the cave where they lived for almost thirty years. We then had some free time and Bus 3 went to Aberge Shulamit for dinner (more on Pilgerhaus Hotel and Aberge Shulamit later).

All are well and having a great time.

But we never doubted it. Follow our Twitter reports from my home page multiple times each day. All is well, safe and beautiful in Israel. Have no fear! All is going as planned.

A good Mass on the shore of Galilee, a good dinner and all are in bed getting ready for a great day tomorrow on the Mount of Transfiguration, renewing Wedding Vows in Cana, and Mass at the place the Archangel Gabriel announce to Mary the birth of her new divine Son.

On your mark, get set — GO! I set the alarm for early to run the route I would be leading our pilgrims through Assisi and to get a four-mile run in before the rest of the group got up. I wanted to cover four miles and did a bit more.

Assisi is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Medieval with gates, stone walls, banners, flowers, churches, a fortress and tile roofs. It is quaint and stunning — candy for the eyes.

I ran through the life of St. Frances — his birthplace, his family home, the “prison” where his father constrained him. I also ran to the church named after him and past his tomb. “No fotos, no fotos!” but in the morning it is always allowed, since no one is there to yell at you.

Down the valley is the Church of San Damiano where the “St. Damiano Crucifix” spoke to Francis and said, “My church is falling into ruin. Repair my church.” Francis thought he meant the little porziuncola in the valley. He realized later that God meant his universal Church. These sites are all within hiking distance in Assisi.

Have fun! Enjoy!

Part I

Part II

Part I

Part II

Part I

Part II

Part I

Today we had a thrilling and very busy day. We started with a tour of the first Marian church which is huge! We visited and explored St. Mary Major with the wood from the manger where Jesus was laid.

Then to Mass at one of the oldest churches — St. Praxedes, a young woman who buried the martyrs of the second century. Her father knew the apostles. She mopped up the blood of martyrs and keep it as a precious relic.

Then we saw the great relics of Jerusalem brought to Rome by St. Helena. They are housed in the Church of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem. We find there the finger of Thomas, thorns from Jesus’ crown, a nail from the cross, the title sign above the cross in three languages, and more.

A fun lunch in Piazza Navona and then a walking tour to include the Pantheon, St. Maria in Sopra Minerva, Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Agostino (St. Augustine with the relics of his mother Monica and a painting of Caravaggio), then St. Agnes in Piazza Navona.

We then went back out to the area of the catacombs for another meal at the EXCELLENT Cecilia Metalla Ristarante. Now all are in bed.

This day will be in two videos — one posted now and one in the morning.

Part II

Today we had Mass at the tomb of St. Ignatius of Antioch (my personal hero) and St. Clement of Rome. Both were ordained by the apostles.

Then we visited the Church of St. Peter’s Chains, lunch, and then toured the Roman Forum and the Roman Colosseum.

Everyone enjoyed lunch and dinner in Rome.

Steve, back in Illinois and adjusting to life without breakfast salami.

The experience of pilgrimage fulfills the words of Augustine Fides quarens intellectum. Faith leads to understanding, not the other way around as practiced in our secular society.  Understanding is the reward of faith;  an understanding based more on trust than fact.

The Shroud was on my “bucket list.”  It was my focus, the rest being just icing on the cake.  So, I came curious, but left convicted.

In the final analysis, it was less the relics and more the pilgrims.  All those souls gathering in a desire to grow in faith provided context to my heart — the Church Militant is a singular pilgrim community that cooperates for the salvation of the world.  This satisfies a need of the heart that the mind can never provide.

I love being Catholic. ~Joe

Today our group went to the General Audience with Pope Benedict. Dr. Scott Hahn was able to get a special ticket (he’d been working on it for a year, I think). After the final blessing he was able to meet the pope and present him with his latest books. You will see him describe it on the video.

Everyone was very happy to see the pope — most for the first time in their lives. It was a beautiful day and most had great seats. The pope goes through the crowd in his pope mobile so many get to see him up close.

After the General Audience we took the bus out the Via Appia Antica to our very nice restaurant outside under a canopy of vines with fountains gurgling behind. It was hard to break away.

We then walked across the street and descended into the St. Sebastian Catacombs, after which we had Mass in one of the seven pilgrim churches in Rome — St. Sebastians. He was a Roman soldier that converted to Christianity and was eventually martyred for his faith.

After Mass we came back to our hotel for Dr. Hahn’s excellent talk on the theology of Pope Benedict (perfect culmination to meeting him today!) and then everyone scattered to the many fine cafes in Rome for dinner and gelato.

What a great day! Touring the Vatican Museum with Liz Lev, then exploring St. Peters before everyone scattered for a free afternoon.

Then we had confession followed by Mike Aquilina’s talk on “pilgrimage” after which we went to Da Benitos for a fantastic dinner. More soon.

Lord, I just want to thank you for being such a good and loving Savior and caring for me and blessing me in so many ways.   Thank you for allowing Jeff and me to go to Italy and see all the beautiful holy relics that you have left for us to assist in strengthening and enriching our faith.

Everyday there were new blessings starting with your Holy Shroud.  Our group of a hundred-fifty pilgrims, Steve and Janet Ray, Father Scott Courtney, Teresa Tomeo, and a total of 1.5 million other Christians all standing in line to see you, waiting quietly to see your face, the face of Jesus in your burial cloth. The blood stains at your feet, hands, the crown of thrones and the wound in your side, all a reminder of how much you love us. The anticipation was over whelming as we prayed and praised you in line. Just as we were about to enter the church I was overcome by your precious Holy Spirit. I knew you wanted us all to feel your holy presence and to receive this great gift you have left for us. Praise you Jesus for caring so much for each one of us. Then holy Mass at St Francis de Sales Church in Turin.

Well, Lord I didn’t think you could top that, but you did. A day long trip to Assisi, what would that bring, see the sights, take a nap, but no, you had something greater in mind. You wanted to speak to our hearts and prepare us for the rest of the Pilgrimage. First, Father Scott said the Rosary and not only was the bus moving but your Holy Spirit was on the move, touching hearts even my non-Catholic husband was touched. Next, we listened to the conversion story of Steve Ray.  As he talked it made me ashamed, because as a cradle Catholic I have been keeping my faith under a bushel basket, and not sharing how wonderful it is to be Catholic with my non-Catholic sisters and brothers. I have not been fully appreciating the richness of my faith, not being joyful and on fire for you, so others can see all the blessing you have given me through your church. We ended the day celebrating Mass at St Mary of the Angels Basilica in Assisi.

We started the next day with Mass at St. Clare Basilica. After mass we hopped on the bus, up we went to the top of the hill and toured the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi.  The rain did not stop us from seeing the holy example St. Clare and St. Francis showed us, in the humble and simple way they lived. Their lives were depicted in the works of art through out the Basilicas, which Elizabeth Lev, an art history professor, brought to life for us. Lord, help me become a channel of your peace, to live a simple and holy life, and thank you for the example set by your holy saints.

The journey continued the next day to the Holy House of Nazareth in Lanciano where your mother Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she was going to be your mother. Mary then went to Elizabeth and told her that the mighty God had done great things for her and that His mercy would reach from age to age. How blessed are we that we can see a part of the home where you grew up. We could see two worn groves in the marble floor where pilgrims like us prayed on their knees around the perimeter of the Holy House, which is now incased in marble. The same day we had Mass at the Shrine in Lanciano were you cared so much for a priest that was struggling with his faith, that you preformed a Eucharistic miracle on a rugged little alter in a tiny little church, your heart tissue and your blood type AB the same blood type found on the shroud. You have weaved these miracles together so lovingly just for us.

Our miracle day! Your Spirit was at work today making it possible for us to have mass at the new shrine of Padre Pio, where no one other than the Pope and the friars are allowed to perform mass. Steve Ray made arrangements a year ago for us to have mass at the tomb of Padre Pio, but he was moved to the new tomb in April. Steve Ray told our Italian escort to tell the curator that if he tells 150 pilgrims to sit they will sit and not move. The Italian escort also told her, he would go to the market and buy bread and wine and we would have mass the old way. She finally agreed to let Father Scott say mass. None of us new this was going on until after the most Spirit filled mass of the trip. Then we went up to the top where you can see a view of the Adriatic Sea and there we found the Grotto of Michael the Archangel, and it was closed, so you Lord had the Friar open it just for us.  What a day!!!

On our way to Rome we stopped to see Veronica’s Veil, another faith building experience. The features on the Shroud match the face on the veil perfectly. Lord you are so awesome to have left us so many signs of your love. When we arrived in Rome we went down into the catacombs of St. Callixtus and saw the tombs of the early Christians. I have to admit it did give me the hebegebees.  Then we celebrated mass at the church of St. Callixtus. Cardinal Arinza was a surprise guest at our dinner. He told us as lay people we represent 99% of the church and we have a responsibility to share our faith. Lord help me to show your joy to others.

We ended in Rome being part of the Papal audience. I was able to get up close, about six feet from the Pope. He was in his pope-mobile just like you see him on EWTN. Our group was shouting “We love being Catholic! WOO! WOO!” There were people from all over the world. What a privilege to see the leader of your Holy Catholic Church up close and personal.  Jeff says “I was like a five year old at Disneyland for the first time”.  After all that excitement, we concluded with mass at St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica.

Our farewell dinner was bitter sweet. Saying good-by to our new friends in Christ and being afraid to leave for fear I won’t change the things you want to change in me. Lord have Mercy.

Yes, we did get to shop.  What was my favorite part of the trip you ask? It was the tomb at the shrine of Padre Pio and the mass that was held there. My husbands favorite was daily mass. I never expected that answer. Maybe we will have a Magnificat miracle. Praise God!!!

Thank you Magnificat sisters from the bottom of our hearts. Darlene and Jeff May 2010

DEAR JANET AND STEVE,

MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND I HAD A FANTASTIC PILGRIMAGE THANKS TO YOUR PLANNING AND PROFESSIONALISM, NOT TO MENTION YOUR LOVE OF GOD AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE HOLY PLACES. HOPE YOUR ROME EXTENSION WENT WELL ALSO, AM SURE IT DID. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A LIFETIME.  HOPE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF AGAIN ONE DAY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

SINCERELY IN CHRIST,

ANN HALL

After 24 hours of travel they all arrived and filled our double-decker bus. Dr. Scott and Kimberly Hahn with three sons: Jeremiah, Joe and David led the group out of the baggage claim and into sunny Rome. Mike Aquilina and Rob Corzine followed with the whole group.

It was a beautiful day. We got them to the hotel quickly for check in, Mass and then out to our favorite restaurant for dinner. Everyone was tired so we got them to bed as soon as we could.

Tomorrow we have Mass at St. Peters Basilica, largest church in the world, before a guided tour of the Vatican Museum and the inside of St. Peters. The afternoon will be free time before the Bible Study at 6 PM and dinner at 7:30. Stay tuned!

MY TWO DAUGHTERS AND I HAD A FANTASTIC PILGRIMAGE THANKS TO YOUR PLANNING AND PROFESSIONALISM, NOT TO MENTION YOUR LOVE OF GOD AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE HOLY PLACES. HOPE YOUR ROME EXTENSION WENT WELL ALSO, AM SURE IT DID. WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A LIFETIME.  HOPE TO TRAVEL WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF AGAIN ONE DAY. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

SINCERELY IN CHRIST,
ANN

The Shroud’s Stillness; Joining the Orderly Lines in Turin

By Elizabeth Lev

ROME, MAY 20, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Last week I became one of the 1.5 million pilgrims (and counting!) who’ve visited the Shroud of Turin during its extraordinary display, which began April 10 and ends Sunday.

The pilgrimage was led by Steve Ray, Catholic apologist extraordinaire, and counted over 150 people. An ambitious undertaking, but then the Shroud is no ordinary object. In my one day in Turin, I saw thousands upon thousands of people taking time from work, school and even lunch (in Italy, no meager sacrifice) to meditate for a few minutes on Christ’s suffering.

The iron gray skies over Turin, the lost luggage and hair-raising trip due to the Icelandic ash cloud, couldn’t dampen the spirits of Steve’s pilgrims who, less than 24 hours after getting off the plane, got in the formidable line to pray before the Shroud. Unlike in the (much shorter) lines for the Vatican Museums or designer boutique sales, there was no cutting, hostility or impatience. People talked, prayed, sang and socialized and the time flew by. The only other time I have ever seen such order among people was in the line to view the body of Pope John Paul II after his death in 2005.

Adding to the joyous spirit of the pilgrimage were the dozens of signs lining the streets from our hotel to the Shroud exhibit warmly welcoming Benedict XVI, who had made his pilgrimage to the Shroud on May 2. The festive climate continued to the front door of the cathedral where the yellow and white floral homage to the Successor of St. Peter brightened the rainy day.

During the wait, we talked about the remarkable pilgrimage of the Shroud from Jerusalem to Turin via at least three other centers, meditated on the near-miraculous preservation of the ancient linen cloth despite fire, travel, handling and time and hashed through the results of the scientific tests, but none of these “facts” seemed to matter when standing before the Shroud.

Captivated by the faint russet imprint of the body of the flagellated, crucified, mocked and stabbed man, everyone falls silent. The contrast between the violence done to the body and the peaceful pose and the serene expression seem like a silent rebuke to “forgive those who trespass against us.”

But most striking against the “negative” imprint of the body are the “positive” crimson marks of blood on the wrists, feet, side and laced throughout the head and body. Bright against the dull colors of the Shroud, those wounds struck me as love letters, testifying to Christ’s passionate, vibrant and enduring love for man.