January 2010 Holy Land Pilgrimage with Most Holy Trinity Parish

Day 1 Pre-Arrival Planting Olive Tree, and Pilgrims Arriving Part One: Muslims are trying to take over the Holy Land. It is not just about theology but about the land, every square foot of it. Christians only make up 1.5% of the population in Israel, Muslims over 16% and Jews over 80%. Christians are leaving in droves and the land is being acquired by Muslims.It this continues the holy sites could be turned into mosques or museums and we will lose ever so crucial Christian presence in the Holy Land. So, I bought a small piece of land and planted an olive tree on it. You will see the video. Part Two: The pilgrims arrived today and we are now in Tiberias and settled in for the night. Tomorrow we begin our pilgrimage at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. Tabor), wedding renewals at Cana, and Mass at the Church of Annunciation in Nazareth.

Day 2 Tabor, Cana and Nazareth Great day with marvelous weather! First bus to arrive at Mount Tabor so we quickly ascended the Mount of Transfiguration in the taxis. Renewal of wedding vows in Cana was again a moving ceremony. Nazareth is always an exciting visit seeing the home of the Holy Family, the grotto of the Annunciation and a good lunch. Mass was beautiful at the Church of Annunciation. We prayed three Mysteries of the Rosary today at these sites.

Day 3 Part I Banias / Golan Heights

Day 3 Part II Banias / Golan Heights

Day 4 Part I Up to Jerusalem Great day and great group. Very cooperative pilgrims which make it possible to cover lots of ground and get a lot done with joy and excitement. Today we finished touring around Galilee, ate St. Peter’s fish and headed south — UP to Jerusalem. Beautiful weather though we found rain in the night in Jerusalem.Before stopping at our hotel we drove to Ein Kerem, the place of the Visitation and the birth of John the Baptist. Then to the Notre Dame Hotel for check in and dinner. Many then took walks in the Old City.

Day 4 Part II Up to Jerusalem

Day 5 Bethlehem Why were the shepherds the first to be told about the birth of Jesus? Hint: where was he born? In a stable with animals? The reason the Shepherds were notified first is because shepherds are ALWAYS the first to be learn of the BIRTH OF A LAMB! Jesus is the Lamb of God born where lambs are born.

Day 6 Part I Olivet Today we went to Mass at Gethsemane and then toured the Mount of Olives. After a marvelous overview of Jerusalem from the Promenade where I gave a 20-minute account of the story of salvation from Adam and Eve until today with the whole story before our eyes.Then we had lunch at Ramat Rachel Kibbutz before touring Mount Zion — including the Abbey of Dormition where Mary fell asleep, the Upper Room and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus, where Jesus was imprisoned over Holy Thursday night and the Holy Steps Jesus walked on. We then had a few hours free during which I took eight of us for a run around the walls of Jerusalem with the Archbishop (see separate video) before boarding the bus again to go back to Bethlehem for a delicious lamb dinner and dancing.

Day 6 Part II Dinner and Dancing in Bethlehem

Day 7 Mass at the Holy Sepulcher

Group Run

Last Day of Pilgrimage Part I Masada

Last Day of Pilgrimage Part II Camel Rides

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