Jerusalem

Trip Start Oct 31, 2007

Trip End Nov 13, 2007

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Flag of Israel Bethlehem, Israel
Thursday, November 8, 2007

Today we started with an early departure (5:30am) from the hotel for Mass in the Holy Sepulchre church. We entered the old city through the Jaffa gate. There are many small streets that wind back and forth and because of the early hour very few shops were open and there were also very few people milling about. The quiet time was really nice because it eliminated a lot of distractions that we would experience later on. We made our way to the church and as we entered we saw the 13th station of the cross. This is the Stone of Annoitment where they placed Jesus after his death (see Luke 25:53). While the whole trip has been awe inspiring having Mass in the church was beyond description. I think even Father Vince was a little overwhelmed. This was a special treat because very few groups get to have Mass there. As you can imagine everyone wants to celebrate at Christ's tomb which is the 14th station of the cross (see Matt 27:59). The Franciscans served as the chorus and their presence added a lot to our celebration

Jerusalem's Old City - Jaffa Gate

. The whole trip has been one incredible experience after another.

After Mass we returned to the hotel for breakfast and to collect the few members from our group that did not attend mass.

After breakfast we went to the Church of the Resurrection, built by Crusaders in 1142 AD over the remains of a Roman fortification and an ancient spring. A French monastic community of monks and nuns follow rule of the Benedictine order.

We returned once again to Jerusalem's old city to follow the Via Dolorosa or "Ways of Sorrow", this time entering through Herod's gate. Our first stop was the 2nd Station of the Cross, site where Jesus takes up the cross (Chapels of the Condemnation and Flagellation). At each station we stopped briefly to reflect and pray. The last five stations are actually inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is difficult if not impossible to describe the impact this had on our group. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus and retrace his passion, death, and resurrection defies words. Everyone was moved deeply.

Slideshow

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Jaffa Gate sign	On our way to Church of the Holy Sepulchre	Overhead Doorway leading to Church	Entry to Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre	Beautiful Mosaic	Pathway to Christ's Tomb	Getting ready for High Mass at 6:30am
Entry to Christ's Tomb	Christ's Tomb	Stopping for Coffee after Mass	Debbie, Rosa, Millie & Ruth
Jerusalem's Old City - Herod's Gate	Beginning of Via Dolorosa	2nd - Jesus takes up the Cross	Pontius Pilate's Antonia
3rd - Jesus falls for the first time	4th - Jesus meets His Mother	5th - Simon the Cyrenian carries the Cross	Via Dolorosa
Time of Reflection & Prayer	6th - Veronica wipes the sweat from Jesus' face	8th - Jesus falls for the second time	Near 8th Station of the Cross
Old City Doorway	9th - Jesus falls for the third time	Coptic Church near 9th Station of the Cross	9th Station of the Cross
9th Station of the Cross	11th - Jesus is nailed to the Cross	12th - Jesus dies on the Cross	Candles next to 12th Station
Icon at the 12th Station	Scott kneeling at the 12th Station	Holy Sepulchre Church	14th - Jesus is laid in the Tomb
Entrance to the Tomb	Outside the entrance to the tomb	Old City street	Making our way to leave the Old City
Old City Gate

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Comments

dra on

Back in the USA
Hi Guys, Avila here. Since your Cairo hotel telephone number doesn't seem to work, I would appreciate someone telling Mary that her cell phone has been disabled. When I replaced my cell phone this week, the sales person mistakenly registered my new phone to her phone which is on a shared account. Because my sim card wasn't with me when I upgraded, they gave me a new sim card which disabled Mary's phone, oops! I am going to try to switch back to my old sim card today. Can someone send me a working hotel telephone number? Thanks and have a great trip. The pics look like you are having an incredible tour.

vcotter643 on

we're home!
We're home, most of us anyway! I am asking your prayers for two of our pilgrims who could not get out of Egypt because of an expired green card. Castora and Fortunata, as of this writing, are working with the Consulate in Egypt and, if all goes well, they will be on the first possible flight home. They are nervous but are in very capable hands.

While on our three hour layover in Amsterdam, some of us witnessed the death of an older man who had a massive heart attack. I offered my services as a priest but the police guarding that area could not let me through. We have no other details other than knowing the paramedics attending him did work on him doing CPR for a long time. May he rest in peace!

I want to thank my fellow pilgrims for their many testimonies of faith, highlighted for some of them at various sites or nuanced in numerous ways on our bus, train, boat, plane or taxi cab. Walking the way of Christ has been and always will be some of our most treasured moments. God is good!

Thank you all for your prayers and for your blog entries, comments and concerns. Gratefully, Fr. Vince