A group of 30 pilgrims set off from Montreal on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from November 5 to November 17, 2012. At Zurich airport, while we waited for our flight to Tel-Aviv, Fr. Francis McKee led us in a short Morning Prayer and praise and worship with his guitar. How it must have pleased the heart of God to see His faithful openly dedicating their day to Him.
Our pilgrimage consisted of four nights in Nazareth and six nights in Jerusalem and from each of these focal points, we covered a good part of the country and its sacred sites. From Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus, to Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, we went up and down the country where Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the apostles lived. One of the highlights of our pilgrimage was being able to celebrate daily Eucharist in special churches. From the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth to the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem, we were able to lay on each of these altars the petitions that we were carrying with us. Since we were in a hotel in Old Jerusalem, very close to the Holy Sepulchre Church, we were able to visit, pray and celebrate Eucharist at this holy site often. The faith of the Christians who come from all over the world is indeed impressive to watch.
I must say that we were particularly blessed to have a guide like Thea, who has lived in the Holy Land for over twenty years and has a phenomenal grasp of the history of the land and a love for its people, all of which enhanced our understanding and love for the Holy Land. Our bus driver on the pilgrimage was Perro, who made difficult driving a fine art and was always in good humour. Fr. Francis, thank you for the joy and humour you brought to our group. Thank you Spiritours and my fellow pilgrims, what an awesome group you were!!
I am already looking forward to my next visit to the Holy land and possibly leading a group there in the near future.
Shalom!
Deacon Brian Cordeiro
.
Holy Land with Robert Lebel
The pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Robert Lebel, author priest-songwriter was a great success! The forty pilgrims who took part in the trip were delighted! This tour was organized in collaboration with Salt & Light Television and a portion of the proceeds helped support the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on telling stories of hope and inspiration that bring people closer to Christ.
There will be another pilgrimage to Poland this time with Robert Lebel in collaboration with Salt and Light Television in September 2015.
