Franciscan guardians of Holy Land shrines launch new website :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Franciscan guardians of Holy Land shrines launch new website :: Catholic News Agency (CNA).

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In Christmas messages, Holy Land’s Catholic leaders call for peace on earth :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

In Christmas messages, Holy Land’s Catholic leaders call for peace on earth :: Catholic News Agency (CNA).

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A Roof Over His Head

I’ve been thinking of this post for two or three weeks — another pilgrimage reflection — a bit of humor.  A visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem — the place where ‘the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head — away in the manger.” Here our group was divided in half [...]

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Holy Land Revisited

A little over ten years ago I made my first Holy Land Pilgrimage.  I concluded that it would be a once in a life time trip.  Never say never.  The opportunity presented itself to go on another pilgrimage in late October with the priests of my parish and a few parishioners.  We were joined by [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal Day 8

Continuing with Day 8, and the final installment, of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee year Holy Land pilgrimage journal.   Day 8 – Tuesday, 2/22/2000 Jerusalem/Emmaus Our day begins with early breakfast as we proceed to begin the Stations of the Cross.  In groups of three, we take turns carrying a cross between each station.  Father [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal Day 7

Continuing with Day 7 of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee year Holy Land pilgrimage journal. Day 7 – Monday, 2/21/2000 – Bethany/Masada/Qumran/Dead Sea We begin with a visit to Bethany, the hometown of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  We celebrate Mass at St. Lazarus’ church and descend into a cave to visit his tomb.  I never realized [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal Day 6

Continuing with Day 6 of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee year Holy Land pilgrimage journal. Day 6 – Sunday, 2/20/2000 – Old Jerusalem/Wailing Wall/Holocaust Museum/Ein Karem Our day started with a visit to the Temple Mount and Wailing Wall.  Shoeless, we visit Al-Asqa, the Dome of the Rock.  At the Wailing Wall, I am able [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal Day 4

Continuing with Day 4 of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee year Holy Land pilgrimage journal. Day 4 – Friday, 2/18/00 Tiberias to Jerusalem via Jericho The day begins with a journey to Haifa and Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.   I have the first reading here and we have a beautiful view of the [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrimage Day 3

Continuing with Day 3 of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee  year Holy Land pilgrimage journal Day 3 – Thur, 2/17/2000 Sea of Galilee The day begins with our boat ride across the Sea of Galilee on the “Jesus Boat.”  We stopped in the middle of the sea as our priest read the scriptures of [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal – Day 2

Continuing with excerpts of Day 2 of my February 2000 Jubilee pilgrimage to the Holy Land Day 2 – Wednesday, 2/16/00 – Nazareth/Yardinet I am wide awake at 4 AM.  There is a lightning storm and it is raining hard.  I pull the curtains back to watch the storm over the Sea of Galilee.  I’m [...]

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A Holy Land Pilgrim Arrives – Day 1

On February 14, 2000, I boarded a plane for the Holy Land – a Jubilee year pilgrimage led by a priest from my parish.  Never in my life would I imagine making such a trip.   While there, I kept a daily journal of my experiences.   Beginning today through Palm Sunday, my weekly post will [...]

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