On April 8^th, thirty three Catholics from as far as Missouri to as close as Ethridge Manner set forth on a pilgrimage to our Lord.  Many had been before.  All were hopeful and full of faith, excited, concerned, curious, and devoted to our Lord and to all whom needed prayer.  We were ready. 

We boarded the Boeing 777 and arrived in the beautiful Tel Aviv airport ten hours later.  We boarded a new, luxury tour bus and headed toward the resort town of Tiberius, on the coast of the Sea of Galilee.  We met our guide Joseph, a Christian Arab with over 40 years touring experience.  He was an encyclopedia of the land and the travels of our Lord.  He was also a really wonderful man whose connections got us into places few have seen.   He took time to teach us of the Arab Israeli conflict.  We prayed for its end.

All of us knew immediately we were on hollowed ground.  The Sea of Galilee effervesced its holy life.  The air smells of 1000's of years of life and death.  The dirt is course and harsh to the touch yet protects the footsteps of Lord and Disciples.  The food was wonderful and healthy!  The newbie’s (like my daughter and I) were amazed at the beauty after only having seen the burned out buildings in the media.  It was tropical, Mediterranean and so alive it spoke to you about its past.   We had arrived.

We had mass at the Mount of Beatitudes in an open air chapel (the weather was 74 degrees, clear and dry) overlooking the jade green of the Sea of Galilee.  Monsignor gave a homily that made us all feel we were back 2000 years ago and the Lord and his father were building the church next to us.   He was so close to us.   We walked in the water where the 5000 were fed, we took a boat ride over where the Apostles fished.  We walked the stairs the Lord climbed.  There was more and this was day one!

To write about our journey to Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jericho (the oldest city in the world) and of course Jerusalem would exceed the space I have to write.   Its have been over a week since our return and we cannot get the pilgrimage out of our minds.   Just Imagine that you were there with us as we….

Walked in the courtyard where Mary was visited by Gabriel, or overlooking the valley at the site of the Transfiguration.

Kissed the stone manger (yes, it was a cave) where our Lord was born. 

Prayed through the garden of Gethsemane next to 2000 year old olive trees.  Touch the rock where are Lord may have prayed that night.  Walked the stone walkway to Caiaphas’ court where our Lord was then taken by the soldiers.  

Listened to Monsignor sing Amazing Grace in an acoustically perfect cathedral, among the 2000 year old ruins.

Touched the stone carved hole where our Lord’s crucifix was mounted.   Prayed on our Lord’s tomb, touching the slab he was laid on after taken from the cross. 

The Bible was accurate.  We saw its proof.  Although our faith is rock strong, this journey makes belief all so easy… we were where Christ lived and died.  He never left our side. 

OK, we also shopped, drank a little wine, bobbed on top of the Dead Sea and ate all too well.  We never worried of safety.  This was the trip of a lifetime, the journey of our Lord, we prayed and sang and shared our emotions and beliefs.   The Lord lives.   We hope to see you there next year! 

PHOTO NOTICE- You can visit the Pilgrimage Photo Gallery by clicking here.  BUT! Better photos will be added soon so please check back often.