Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

              Early this month I had the experience of a lifetime.  I was one of forty people who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  A “pilgrimage” differs from a “tour,” since there is daily Mass and Scripture reflection.  For me it was an atmosphere surrounding us.

              Here are some of my impressions, special places, inspirations.

            The first three nights we stayed at the Mount of Beatitudes Retreat House where we overlooked the Sea of Galilee. From there we traveled through the north of Israel through very barren area where all the buildings were the same color as the sand and rocks. Caesarea, Herod the Great’s Palace, was right on the Mediterranean—a beautiful sight.  Mass was at Mount Carmel. Dinner and a good night’s rest were much appreciated.              

At Nazareth we visited the birthplace of the Blessed Mother. Then, in the wedding chapel at Cana, the 18 married couples renewed their wedding vows. The simple ceremony of these couples vows’ “in good times and bad,” inspired each of us.

Capernaum had special meaning because we could look through the glass into the ruins of Peter’s house where Jesus stayed when he cured Peter’s mother-in-law.  Riding on the Sea of Galilee in a boat similar to one like the one Jesus rode in when he rescued Peter from drowning was more than just a boat ride. At one point the captain cut the engines giving us a few moments of silence to absorb the holy atmosphere.  It was a perfect thing to do!

The beauty of the light coming through the stained glass windows in the chapel in the Church of Transfiguration had an aura that spoke “Transfiguration.” Mass for me was special here.

On to Bethlehem and the Grand Park Hotel for the next two nights. 

The story of the Jewish peoples’ courage and endurance at Masada can’t be measured. Then, to actually be within a walking distance of the caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found was like an archeological expedition. We stopped at a beach on the shore of the Dead Sea where some of our group tested the “you can’t sink” in the Dead Sea theory.

We stayed our last three nights at Notre Dame Center. Bethlehem is much different than I pictured.  It is no “little town” any more.  We waited in line, in the Church of the Nativity to get to the grotto to kneel and kiss the large silver star on the floor marking where Jesus was born.

            The last couple of days focused on the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane,The Via Dolorosa and Mass at the Holy Sepulchre Church. In groups of four, we walked the Via Dolorosa carrying a cross.  This was one of the holiest moments for me.

            Our last supper in the Holy Land was in Joppa along the Mediterranean Sea. That evening we drove to Tel Aviv to board the plane for home. The pilgrimage is an experience I will never forget. 

                     Sr. Kathleen Ryan, OSB