2011-02 Holy Land Pilgrimage
Pilgrim Feedback:
Jerry Spencer’s Kodak Gallery of photos from our trip.
Valerie Fournier’s Picasa Photo gallery Here.
Pictures from Trish and Jim shared via photobucket: Click Here.
“I’m glad you made it home safely as we all did as well. I want to “thank you” for this experience in the Holy Lands. Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Listening to you and Amer was fantastic. It shows through both of you your love for the faith. I would most definitely recommend your tours to any that may ask.”
~Nancy Altman
“We enjoyed the Pilgrimage very much. You organized and executed a trip that was complete with both content and time allocation…Thanks again for a wonderful trip.” ~Tom & Clara Katona
Virtual Pilgrimage Videos
Day 1 Arrival and Galilee
When we arrived the internet was down at the hotel and it was the beginning of the Sabbath so we had to wait until Sunday before the internet was fixed. I am so grateful for my iPhone that works through the 3G network so I was still able to make and upload the videos.
I started the day by running from Jerusalem to Abu Ghosh. We then packed and took a drive to the airport to meet our two buses and our local guide Amer. Both flights came in without incident– not even any lost luggage. We drove to Galilee had a nice Mass on the shore of the Sea of Galilee with the moon rising and then dinner and bed.
Day 2: Mount Tabor
Another good day and everyone felt a lot better after a good night’s sleep. We took off early for Mount Tabor where the Transfiguration took place 2,000 years ago.
People always ask me, “How long did it take for Jesus and the three disciples to get to the top of the mountain?” I never had an answer until last week. I decided to climb-run to the top and back down. It took one hour and 15 minutes to get up and 45 minutes to come down the shorter side. You can see the video of that run here.
We had a great time on the top of Tabor (and in the whizzing taxis up and down). Then off to Cana in Galilee to renew wedding vows. One couple was celebrating 52 years of marriage.
Then to lunch in Nazareth before having Mass at the Grotto of the Annunciation where Gabriel announced the good news to Mary. We toured this church and got everyone back in time for a short rest and dinner. After dinner Fr. Shane sat with the group on the shore of the sea and gave a biblical reflection of all the things we had seen this day.
Day 3 Part 1: Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights
I started my day early with a 3.5 mile run along the shore of Galilee as the sun began to rise. You can see the map, pictures and videos here.
Our pilgrimage day can be seen in two videos below: ONE VIDEO of our day visiting holy, biblical and historical sites, and the SECOND VIDEO of our marvelous dinner at Aberge Shulamit in Rosh Pina.
We had Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes. Fr. Tom gave a wonderful homily (again) and it was a delight hearing the proclamation of the Gospel from the top of the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.
It began to rain but we worked around it. We drove to Caesarea Philippi (named Banias today). This is where Jesus renamed Peter “Rock”, giving him a new dignity and designation and establishing an office. I gave my talk on the buses “Peter: the Rock, the Keys & the Chair.”
We then scrambled up the rock and took a lot of pictures and answered a lot of questions. Then to lunch at the Druze Restaurant (see the video). We then drove through the Golan Heights and returned to the hotel — due to the rain — and Fr. Shane gave his daily “Reflections on the Sites Visited.” People had time for a nap, a walk, or just to sit by the Sea of Galilee and read the Gospels.
Day 3, Part 2: Fine Dining
Day 4, Part 1: Boat Ride, Capernaum…to Jerusalem
Day 5, Part1: Full Day in Bethlehem, Hebron
Perfect weather, great group, exciting and spiritual sites — and great food and dancing!
Today we spent the day in Bethlehem and a short time in Hebron where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived and where David was first made king. Great day! Everyone is having a great time with deeply spiritual experiences and a lot of fun as well.
Day 5, Part 2
Day 6, Part 1
It was another banner day but this one started with a 4:30 AM wake up call. The videos will explain why :-)
I am posting today in two parts since we had so much going on. Everyone had the afternoon and evening free to explore, pray, nap, or whatever they wanted to do. I know that most went back to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 6, Part 2
Day 7, Part 1 : Mount Of Olives. Mount Zion, Mass at Gethsemane
Today we begin with 8 AM Mass at Gethsemane at the rock where Jesus sweat blood. Then to Pater Noster at the top of the Mount of Olives to pray at the place where Jesus taught his disciples the Our Father and from where he ascended into heaven.
Then walk down the Palm Sunday Road and catch the bus at the bottom of the mountain. Then we go to a Jewish kibbutz for lunch overlooking Bethlehem.
Following lunch we go to Mount Zion to see the Abbey of the Dormition where Mary “fell asleep” before her assumption into heaven. I will talk about the Assumption and why we as Catholics believe this dogma.
Next the Upper Room where three sacraments were instituted: priesthood, Eucharist and Reconciliation. Lastly we will visit St. Peter in Gallicantu (where the cock crowed). Here Peter denied Jesus and Jesus was tried and imprisoned over Holy Thursday night.
Many of us will walk from Mount Zion back to our hotel for some free time and my talk on “Palestinians and Israel” later this evening.
All is well. No injuries, no sickness, no complaints. What a great group! What a great trip!
Day 7 Part 2: Mount Zion
Day 8 part 1: Qumran, Masada, Dead Sea, Jericho
Day 8 part 2: Camel Riding, Latin Patriarchate, Pilgrimage Shell
Day 9
Because the planes left in the evening instead of the morning, the group had a free extra day! So we gave them the morning free to explore Jerusalem, walk around, nap, pack, pray or whatever they wanted.
We also arranged a Shroud of Turin Exhibit tour with Fr. Kelly, Mass at Ein Kerem where the Visitation took place and more. It was a great day with perfect weather.
It is always sad to say Good-bye, but it has to come to an end eventually. It was a perfect pilgrimage with great weather, no illness or injury, and everyone got along great and left with many hugs and embraces. Everyone had a GREAT time.
On pilgrimage I always offer any runners a chance to run with me around the walls of the Old City. Today I just had one runner with me, but we had a good run. You will see a bit of it here.
Pre-Pilgrimage Letters
New from Israel 2-14-11
Pre Pilgrimage Letter #1
Pre Pilgrimage Letter #2
Pre Pilgrimage Letter #3
Dear Pilgrims:
Greetings from the Holy Land of our Lord God and Savior, Jesus and our
Blessed Mother Mary! I am writing to you from the Holy Land where I will be welcoming two buses full of pilgrims from the United States! After spending a week here already giving talks and organizing every detail for the next several pilgrimages, including the one on which I will welcome you, I can report that hotels are completely full and the
pilgrimage buses are everywhere – hundreds and hundreds of them!
I am very excited to walk with you in the Steps of our Lord and the great
Saints Peter and Paul!
While we always monitor the climate carefully, I wanted to write to you to confirm that there is no reason for concern about coming to the Holy Land. All is very peaceful and calm here and there is no talk on the ground that anything will change.
We know that this will be a terrific experience to grow in holiness and love of our Lord. We are so much looking forward to welcoming YOU to the Holy Land this Fall!
God bless,
Steve and Janet Ray
