It was sad to see the pilgrims leave. Emotional hugs and farewells. But today, our last day, was marvelous.

We started out with Mass at the Church of the Visitation. I gave my popular talk on Mary the Ark of the New Covenant and how this message is embedded in the Gospel of Luke. Then to the Israel Museum for the half acre model of Jesus’ Jerusalem and a tour of the Shrine of the Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls.

After a nice cappuccino we drove out of Jerusalem past Bedouin camps down into the Judean Wilderness. We visited the authentic baptismal site of Jesus at the muddy Jordan River. Then lunch in Jericho where we saw the mountain where Jesus was tempted by the Devil and a sycamore tree like the one Zaccheus climbed up to see Jesus.   

After a delicious Palestinian lunch we went to Qumran and saw Cave number 4 where the first Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and learned about John the Baptis and the Essenes. And about me eating a live grasshopper.

Swimming in the Dead Sea and riding camels ended the Optional Day before we came back to the Notre Dame Hotel to eat, have Fr. Bernard bless the religious items, finish packing and head to the airport.

Enjoy these two action-packed videos and comments from the pilgrims.

Part 1 is up now; part II will be available soon.

What a great day. Weather much nicer with sun and good temperatures. Mass at Gethsemane. Songs and prayers everywhere else. Group is doing well and all are thrilled with the trip and often moved to tears.

Up at 4 AM!! Following the footprints of Our Lord as he carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Visit the place where he was crucified at Calvary, also called Golgotha. Join us for Mass inside the Tomb of Christ.

Then visit St. Ann’s, the birthplace of Our Lady, the Pools of Bethesda where Our Lord healed the crippled man at the Pools of Bethesda and then to pray at the Western Wall.

From shopping to support the Christians, to touching the place where Jesus was born, from Mass in the cave where the shepherds heard the announcement from the angels to eating the Passover lamb and dancing in Samer’s Restaurant. Join us on this virtual day to Bethlehem.

See today’s video HERE

Check out our video thru Galilee, especially following Peter commissioned as Rock, shepherd and given the keys! Enjoy!

Bethlehem 2011
By Joe Marmion
Pilgrim on October 28, 2011 Pilgrimage

Pictures taken in Bethlehem’s Chapel of the Angels
My favorite line in Joe’s poem, is the last line.

Remember that day
he took fresh straw
and swept the clods and dung away
to clear a place for his wife to lay?
She was the one with child he would not shame.
He could have left her without blame,
but stayed to fulfill a Father’s will.
The sheep had stayed out on the hill
so he could light a fire to fight the chill
and give some light and cut the smell
of manure and urine that stung the nose.
Can this be the place the Father chose,
the One who made the star that rose
in the East to herald the way?
Ignore what Herodians say,
at the end of the day,
what shepherds learned, wise men knew
this day foretold from Genesis through
all of Scripture, from Old to New.
Each man came with what he had.
The shepherds with hearts of glad
tidings.  The wise men with packs
on camels and cloaks of fur.
To follow that star that had become their lure
they crossed deserts, rivers and mountains wild
in search of a king but found a child.
Not just a child but the Wunderkind
born of a virgin who had never sinned.
He and his wife in wonder start
but keep these events stored in their hearts.
The Wise Men brought caskets of incense and gold so pure,
gifts that priests and kings prefer.
So, rejoice and be glad
but do not forget the myrrh.

Part 1: It is always amazing to start the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows at 5:00 AM and end up touching the top of Calvary and then having Mass in the Holy Tomb of Christ. Wow!

Part 2: Visiting the place of Mary’s birth and the place where Jesus healed the crippled man in John 5. Great Day!

Part 1:

Part II:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part I: Great morning as we start Day 3. Enjoy. See part II below.

Part II: Afternoon in Galilee. Primacy of St. Peter on the shore of Galilee. Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrew and Philip. Great evening event and dinner at Auberge Shulamit.

Another great day — first full day with the St. Mary’s group spent at Mount Tabor, Cana of Galilee and Nazareth. Enjoy the video!