Footprints of God Pilgrimages » 2010/06

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2010/06 – Holy Land Pilgrimage

Arrival

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.

Day 2 Nazareth

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).

Day 3 Banias

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.

Day 4 From Mass at Capernaum to Jerusalem

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.

Day 5 Bethlehem

The Our Father Prayer in Many Different Languages

Day 6 (2 Parts) Mount of Olives & Mount Zion

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 II

Day 7 (2 Parts) Mass at the Tomb of Christ, Holy Sepulcher

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 II
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.
And a Fun Run Around the Walls of Jerusalem stopping at each gate.

Day 8 Qumran, Dead Sea, Camels, Masada

Last Day Farwells

2 Comments »

ingrid nunez said,

March 3, 2010 @ 10:20 am

Steve mentions some handouts that he gives prior to the tour, has he had those translated into Spanish?

We do not have it in Spanish but since it comes to you electronically, you can easily have it translated on one of the many websites that do translation of electronic documents for free.
Pamela Arnold Powers said,

March 3, 2010 @ 8:47 pm

Please tell me … is this pilgrimage appropriate for a 13 year old?