If you have been to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage, what was the best place you went and why? One pilgrim shares about the dark streets and the feelings that surfaced for him.
Walking down the Old City's narrow, cobblestone "streets" was one thing; doing it at 4:00a.m. was a whole other thing! To be honest, I was waiting for a scene from a blockbuster thriller to unfold right in front of me, one where a dark van with no windows comes racing up, skids to a stop and four hooded men jump out to grab us. (Irrational fear can lead to some very creative and unrealistic scenarios for me.) Nonetheless, I was glad we were a group of 12 that bravely ventured out that morning headed for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
One of the Holy Land's most visited Christian sites, the Holy Sepulcher was a definite highlight of our Tekton pilgrimage. Our guide, Fr. David, OSF, told us it would be wise to get there early so as to avoid the thousands of pilgrims that daily crowd the sacred Church. We were scheduled to arrive there as a group later that day but we eager, early-rising pilgrims wanted to be there a little after it was unlocked- at 4:00am. The night before, we left our friends drinking wine under the Jerusalem stars a little early. We were scheduled for a full day of visiting the holy sites with our Franciscan guide. Making sure we were well-rested for our adventure the next morning was key. And let me tell you, walking the empty streets of Jerusalem at four in the morning is an adventure!
Miraculously we found our way there in the dark. As those of you who have been to the Holy Land know, it's hard enough to find it in daylight. Nearing the wooden gate, two local religious sisters tucked in front of us. They wore dark clothes and long, black veils over their habit veils. Walking behind them through the courtyard brought me back 2000 years to those first pilgrims to Christ's empty tomb... his mother and Mary Magdalene.
The thought of St. Francis making his way in this very place many years ago, I grew excited and my heart began to thump inside my chest. The faithful Franciscans who have done such a great job of taking care of this spiritual place and all the Christians who come here year after year to visit and love this empty tomb also came to mind. I was humbled that I and my little group of Catholic Christians were journeying this same route. And very grateful for the opportunity.
As we entered, we were overcome with a silence, a welcoming, a sacredness. It was the empty tomb of Christ.
Walking down the Old City's narrow, cobblestone "streets" was one thing; doing it at 4:00a.m. was a whole other thing! To be honest, I was waiting for a scene from a blockbuster thriller to unfold right in front of me, one where a dark van with no windows comes racing up, skids to a stop and four hooded men jump out to grab us. (Irrational fear can lead to some very creative and unrealistic scenarios for me.) Nonetheless, I was glad we were a group of 12 that bravely ventured out that morning headed for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
One of the Holy Land's most visited Christian sites, the Holy Sepulcher was a definite highlight of our Tekton pilgrimage. Our guide, Fr. David, OSF, told us it would be wise to get there early so as to avoid the thousands of pilgrims that daily crowd the sacred Church. We were scheduled to arrive there as a group later that day but we eager, early-rising pilgrims wanted to be there a little after it was unlocked- at 4:00am. The night before, we left our friends drinking wine under the Jerusalem stars a little early. We were scheduled for a full day of visiting the holy sites with our Franciscan guide. Making sure we were well-rested for our adventure the next morning was key. And let me tell you, walking the empty streets of Jerusalem at four in the morning is an adventure!
Miraculously we found our way there in the dark. As those of you who have been to the Holy Land know, it's hard enough to find it in daylight. Nearing the wooden gate, two local religious sisters tucked in front of us. They wore dark clothes and long, black veils over their habit veils. Walking behind them through the courtyard brought me back 2000 years to those first pilgrims to Christ's empty tomb... his mother and Mary Magdalene.
The thought of St. Francis making his way in this very place many years ago, I grew excited and my heart began to thump inside my chest. The faithful Franciscans who have done such a great job of taking care of this spiritual place and all the Christians who come here year after year to visit and love this empty tomb also came to mind. I was humbled that I and my little group of Catholic Christians were journeying this same route. And very grateful for the opportunity.
As we entered, we were overcome with a silence, a welcoming, a sacredness. It was the empty tomb of Christ.
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Want to find out more about the Holy Land, then visit FFHL's site on how to choose the best pilgrimage for your needs.
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