Holy Land Report #5

Day #3 - the pilgrimage takes us to Jericho - Bethlehem - Shepherds' Field - the Church of the Nativity - the grotto where Jesus was born and St. Catherine's Church . In Jericho our first stop was at Tel Es-Sultan - also known as ancient Jericho - sitting directly across from Elisha's Spring and is the site of the ancient city.  Jericho is the lowest city of the world at 250 meters or 820 feet below sea level and thought to be the oldest city in the world dating back to the 8th millennium BC or as archaeologists now term it BCE. 

Tel Es-Sultan At The Ruins

Jericho Entrance Sign

Jericho City Sign Water Feature Complete With Ducks

Moving on in our pilgrimage we entered Bethlehem where our first stop was an opportunity to shop for souvenirs and gifts from the Holy Land. After all - when on a journey like this - you have to bring something home that reminds you of your journey. We stopped at Nissan Brothers - Bethlehem New Store located on Manger Street where our pilgrims browsed the vast display of items - particularly carved Olive Wood products - and jewelry.  A few of us were given a tour in the workshop below to see how the Olive wood is processed and carved.

Olive Wood Piled in Workshop

Pilgrims do get hungry so after shopping it was off to the restaurant for lunch and local cuisine. Shown below are some of our pilgrims smiling and discussing their recent purchases.

Arlene - Pat - Karen - Lisa - Dolores - Ed - Heather

Sophia - Judy - Helen - Anita - Renee - Dan - Guy - Marilyn - Scott - Cherie

Dee - Deacon Jerry - Father Matt - Loretta - Tom - Dolores - Mary - Sam

Deacon Dale - Linda - Jim - Dennis - Annette - George - Marlene - Nancy - Barb 

Our next stop was Shepherd's Field where the angels announced the birth of Jesus to those tending their flocks

Entrance to Shepherd's Field

Shepherd's Field Fountain

Today’s Church was built in 1954 above the restored 4th century lower church, representing a nomadic tent. The church was designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. The dome is decorated with bronze angel designs and is made of glass windows that enable bright light to infuse the church, symbolizing the light that shined upon the shepherds when the Angel of the Lord appeared to them. 

The Church of the Shepherd's Field

The Church Dome With Small Windows

Back on the bus and this time heading to the place where Mary gave birth to Jesus. In Bethlehem we walked to the Church of the Nativity - considered to be the oldest continuously operating Christian Church in the world.. As seen in the photo below the entrance to the Church is very low - the lady entering the church is about 5 foot 3 inches and even our shortest pilgrims had to lower the heads in order to enter. You will also note in the photo the arch line of stones above the entrance which shows the original entry. The entrance was modified by filling in that space to prevent  the Turks from entering who routinely did so on horseback. 

Entrance to the Church of the Nativity - The Door of Humility

Interior of Church of the Nativity

The Church is built over what is believed to be the cave or grotto where Jesus was born. Carefully going down the stone steps we entered the grotto where the place was marked with a fourteen point star. We took time for each pilgrim to reverence that spot either by bowing or kneeling with some kissing the star. 

The 14 point Star Marking the Place of Jesus' Birth in the Grotto of the Nativity

The day ended with Holy Mass in the adjoining Church of St. Catherine. Staying for a Holy Hour afterwards.

Deacon Jerry - Father Matt - Deacon Dale

Before returning to our hotel we stopped for a group picture outside in the courtyard in front of St. Catherine Church. With God there is always time to rest in His Holy Spirit.

Our Pilgrims

Deacon Dale 

Holy Land Report #4

Day #2 of our pilgrimage took us to Nazareth the childhood home of Jesus. Here we visited the Basilica of the Annunciation where we celebrated Holy Mass.

Deacon Dale - Father Matt - Deacon Jerry

Interior View of the Basilica of the Annunciation

Basilica of the Annunciation Facade

Basilica of the Annunciation

It was here that the angel revealed to Mary that she had been selected by God to bear His son. The Basilica is unique in that so many parts of the structure create the letter "M" for Saint Mary. Inside the Basilica - around the interior - are many paintings of Saint Mary from various countries around the world. The image sent by the USA proved to be the least popular of all the images. 

Painting From USA

Outside - in the courtyard - was another display of paintings of Our Blessed Mother - again from various countries around the world - clearly showing to visitors how each county reverences and holds Saint Mary in such high regard.

Painting From Poland in Courtyard

The Basilica is built over what are believed to be the ruins of the place where the actual meeting between the angel and Saint Mary took place. 

Ruins Under Basilica Walkway

In the courtyard outside is a statue of the Blessed Mather and everyone had to have their picture taken with the statue. Of course - when requested by our pilgrims - both deacons and Father Matt were more than willing to pose.

Deacon Dale - Deacon Jerry - Father Matt

We departed Nazareth and headed to our next site. Earlier I had asked our tour guide if we could find a suitable place where we could have Father Matt do a special blessing for married couples - as my wife and I had just missed celebrating our 43rd wedding anniversary two days previously since we were in-flight - and two other couples had recently celebrated their 25th anniversaries. I wanted to include all married couples - after all getting a special blessing while in the Holy Land would be a perfect anniversary gift. Our guide not only found us a place - but it was at Cana - the site of the Lord's first miracle!  I was completely surprised that he was able to get us into an unscheduled location which normally has to be scheduled in advance. His reply to me was "only Cana would be proper - no other place" and so he made it happen. What a bonus and blessing for our group.

Cana Catholic Wedding Church

Father Matt led a short service in which all couples renewed their marriage vows and he included a special blessing for those who were traveling without their spouses. 

Cana Wedding Church

Leaving Cana we left for our next destination - Caesarea Maritima where Herod the Great built a magnificient harbor holding up to 300 ships. The technology used in the construction was very innovative - i.e. the materials used to construct the harbor was accomplished by using materials that would allow the concrete to harden under water. 

 Promontory Palace

 Side View of Theater

3500 Seat Capacity Theater

Caesarea Maritima

Our final stop of the day was at Mount Tabor to visit the Church of Transfiguration. This is the spot selected to commemorate the transfiguration of Jesus when he became "as bright as the sun" radiating light and conversing with Moses and Elijah. 

 Church of the Transfiguration

 Church of the Transfiguration

Church of the Transfiguration Garden

 Church of the Transfiguration Garden

Church of the Transfiguration Garden

The view from the mount was unbelievable as was the gardens around the church. Who would have expected such greenery and flowers in the desert. Thus ended the second day of pilgrimage - our pilgrims were excited about all they had seen and done - and this was only the second day - more to come - as with Jesus - there is always more that He has in store - He will never be done with us!

Deacon Dale 

Holy Land Report #3

In this post I wish to describe our experience at the end of our first day in the Holy Land. After leaving the sea of Galilee we headed to the Jordan River where we gathered our pilgrims at the rivers edge. Since Catholics do not re-baptize - baptism is celebrated only once as it is a non-repeating Sacrament - we held a service to commemorate or remember our baptisms. In that special service we recreated the actions of baptism i.e. pouring water from the Jordan over the heads of the participants.  One fellow requested immersion which we complied with and then after my brother deacon and pastor were done we commemorated each other's baptism by immersing each other. Needless to say it was a very memorable experience.

Yardenit Baptismal Site

In baptism our sins are washed away - we are cleansed and recreated in God's Divine Image. Although Jesus was without sin He still humbled himself by allowing St John to baptize Him - what a great role model - Our Lord showed us the way to Eternal Life 

The River Jordan

Deacon Jerry Pouring Water

Deacon Dale Pouring Water

Father Matt Pouring Water

Deacon Jerry and Father Matt Immersing Deacon Dale

Deacon Dale and Deacon Jerry Immersing Father Matt

Deacon Dale - Father Matt - Deacon Jerry

As one of our scheduled events on the pilgrimage - we offered everyone the option to participate in this commemoration of their baptism. Baptism is the gateway Sacrament in the Catholic Church - without baptism you cannot celebrate any of the other Sacraments. Standing in the Jordan River with tiny fish nibbling at our ankles - we were able to share the gift of baptism in a way that we would otherwise never have done. This was a gift for our pilgrims and ourselves. If you have never been baptized and would like to discuss this Sacrament - contact your parish priest or deacon.

Deacon Dale 

Holy Land Report #2

Day #1 - we continued our pilgrimage traveling around the Sea of Galilee to visit the Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter, Capernaum and the River Jordan Baptism site.  At the Mount of Beatitudes we celebrated Holy Mass and I was honored to give the Homily - it was fantastic! Facing our pilgrims with the Sea of Galilee in the background - what an experience to have Holy Mass outdoors on the Sea of Galilee.

 Church of the Beatitudes

 Deacon Dale - Father Matt - Deacon Jerry

Our Pilgrims at Holy Mass

 We then went to Tabgha to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes where that miracle is commemorated

Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes

Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes

Next stop was the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter where we visited the chapel with a massive rock in front of the altar - representing Peter as the Rock upon which Jesus would build His church

Chapel of the Primacy of Peter

 Outside behind the Chapel was the Sea of Galilee and a few of us ventured into the water. 

Deacon Jerry & Deacon Dale

As mentioned above all these sites are around the Sea of Galilee - a fact that had escaped most of us previously. We never knew that these important Holy sites were so close together. We stopped for lunch - again on the Sea and some people ate Saint Peter's fish pictured below.

St. Peter's Fish

Next stop was Capernaum where we viewed the ruins of the temple and St Peter's Church that is built over the home of St Peter's mother-in-law's house. The church is built on stilts over the ruins of the original structure to preserve the ruins. The floor of the church above has a rectangular glass floor which is used to view the ruins below.  

 St. Peter's Church exterior

St Peter's Church inside - note glass floor in center

Next door to St. Peter's church is a group of ruins and just to the side of that is the ruins of a temple which had been constructed over the remains of a previous temple. 

 Temple Ruins

Father Matt relaxing in the temple

Walking around the ruins and the church we again noted that this property is also on the Sea of Galilee

Deacon Dale & Chaplain Arlene

Boarding the bus - we then headed towards the River Jordan to complete the day. The events at the river will be covered in the next posting.

Deacon Dale 

Holy Land Report #1

Today begins my recap of our 10 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The pilgrimage began and ended with approximately twelve hours of flying time - an experience in itself. We arrived in Israel and then had a two hour drive from Tel Aviv airport to the first hotel in Tiberius. Tiberius is located on the Sea of Galilee and our starting point for three days of biblical and archaeological exploration. Upon arrival in Tiberius we had just enough time to check in to the hotel, eat dinner and celebrate Holy Mass. The next day we started early at 8am heading to our first site.

View of the Sea of Galilee From Our Hotel Room

Day one of our pilgrimage began with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee - looking at the shoreline - basically untouched by any development - just as Jesus would have seen it. The hills and valleys the same today as in the time of Christ - as the boat sat idle in the waters - we listened as Chaplin Arlene read her meditation to us - what an awesome and touching experience.

Pilgrims on Boat

Looking At The Shore From the Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee

Reaching the other side of the sea we left the boat to view the 2000 year old Ancient Boat discovered in the area. Did Jesus ride on this boat - no one knows - curious and interesting.

 

2000 Year Old Mystery Boat

As with the 2000 year old boat - so much is still a mystery - proving that no matter how much you know about God and Jesus - you will never know it all.  

Deacon Dale 

Pilgrimage Stories

It has been a few days since my last post - unfortunately I was not able to find the time to write while I was in Israel. Over the next week or two I will be sharing photos and thoughts about the Holy Land and our Pilgrimage of July 26, 2012 through August 4, 2012. A very quick recap would be that this turned out to be a fantastic venture for all 36 persons involved.

DeaconTravel Holy Land Pilgrimage - Bethlehem, Israel 2012

We knew the itiniery since Deacon Jerry and I had planned the places we wanted to take the group. Of course God intervened and added some special stops along the way - we could not have asked for better! Walking in the foot steps of Jesus - sailing on the Sea of Galilee - eating His foods - meeting His people - is all still soaking into our brains - and so, the adventure will be shared with you 


Deacon Dale