Our two Holy Land pilgrimages in October are completely full but we do have a waiting list. We may add another bus if enough sign up in the next few weeks.

We do still have a few seats left on our November St. Paul Cruise through Turkey, Greece and Italy. This trip will be filled quickly.

Visit http://www.SteveGoes.com. If you miss out this year, we have more exciting biblical trips in 2011 and 2012. Hope you can join us!

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.

If you want to keep updated sign up to follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Both of them are at JerusalemJones.

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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.

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.

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!

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.

Here is a picture of young Jacob Gallucci with his sister Adriana who were a lot of fun on our trip.

Click on any image for larger picture.

You can see Jacob’s picture drawing of St. MIchael to the right.

And here is a prayer written along the way by James Toups (left in picture below with his brother Brian):

Blessed Trinity, most holy mystery,
Send down your heavenly fire to bathe me in the warmth of your love.

Let my actions be only to glorify your wishes;
And my imagination only to entertain

The perfect eternity I wish to spend with you;
Bowed before your throne in reverance.

Clothed in your majesty, overflowing with your grace,
And only alive because of your love.

Because of your divine example I wish only to serve you,
Despite any hardship until I am finally home.

I will be posting the two videos from today soon. We had a great day with beeeautiful weather for a walking tour through Rome. We gave people some exercise today and everyone did well.

We started out with a tour of San Clemente with Liz. This is an ancient church with archaeological discoveries below that take us down to first century Rome and a 4th century basilica. Amazing.

While one group did that I took another group to the Martyrdom Church named Santo Stephano Rotundo with all the walls covered with vivid depictions of early martyrs tortured for the faith. A wedding started and I took the next group to the sacred stairs of the Church of Scala Sancta.

Then we had several hours free for lunch and exploring in the old city near the Piazza Navona. Then a walking tour to see the Trevi Fountain, the monument to the Immaculate Conception and the Spanish Steps.

We had a moving Pentecost Mass at Santa Maria in Sopra Minerva — in front of the tomb of St. Catherine of Sienna. It was our family’s 16th anniversary into the Catholic Church!

See the second video below (up soon) to join our amazing Farewell Dinner.

Farewell Dinner

Early start to catch Mass at the St. Joseph chapel inside St. Peters Basilica. There are 44 chapels in this largest church in the world. We were right next to the Peter’s Crucifixion chapel — the exact geographical location where Peter was crucified upside down in Nero’s Circus. And GUESS what the readings were?

(Picture: Entrance to Vatican Museum)

John 21 where Jesus informs Peter that he will die by crucifixion!

The whole group took a tour of the Vatican Museum and then St. Peters. Not much in the way of pictures or videos of that but lots of everything else.

After the tours we went the Regina Apostolorum University of the Legionaries to tour the Holy Shroud of Turin display with the life-sized bronze of Jesus in the tomb, the 3-D hologram of the Shroud and then free time before dinner. Enjoy!