Pilgrimage is Life-Changing
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"A Life Changing Experience" Even many years later, people describe their pilgrimage to the Holy Land as life-changing. It is difficult to find words to explain the joy and spiritual refreshment experienced by making this unique spiritual adventure.
To follow in the footsteps of Jesus, is an experience of drawing closer to Jesus and rediscovering the roots of Christian faith. For most pilgrims, reading the Bible in it's geographic context brings new meaning from the sacred text. The Bible "come to life" and you feel like you have “stepped into the story.” It is not just the Holy Places. Many pilgrims are deeply moved by contact with the ‘living stones’ – the Christians who live out their lives in this land – and who seek to be bridges for peace and reconciliation. It is profoundly moving to go to the places were Jesus ministered, where the earliest churches were planted, and to meet believers who worship in churches founded by the Apostles. It is a faith-building experience the be part of the rich tapestry of religious life that you discover in ever corner of the Holy Land. Very often, deep and lasting friendships are forged with fellow pilgrims with whom you travel. Jesus said: “And he said to them, "Follow me…” (Matt. 4:19) |
“Five gospels record the life of Jesus. Four you will find in books and the one you will find in the land they call Holy. Read the fifth gospel and the world of the four will open to you."
St. Jerome (347-420 A.D.)
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When did Pilgrimage Begin?
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land predates Christianity! Before the time of Jesus, God fearing Gentiles and Jews of the diaspora -- all felt the call to make the sacred journey to Jerusalem -- and of course many still do.
Christians have been making this pilgrimage for at least 1700 years!
In recent years about 2 Million Christians visit the Holy Land every year! The most famous early Christian pilgrim to Jerusalem and the Holy Land was St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine and patron saint of new discoveries. Her pilgrimage, in the early 4th century, identified many of the sacred sites still visited by pilgrims today. Helena caused great churches to be built at important locations such as the place of Jesus’ nativity in Bethlehem and his death and burial in Jerusalem. Her pilgrimage marked the beginning of large numbers of the faithful making the journey to the Holy Land, to draw closer to Jesus by walking in his footsteps and the footsteps of his disciples.
St. Jerome - a 4th C Doctor of the Church, spent years living in the crypt of the Church of the Nativity while translating the Bible into Latin -- (the Vulgate Translation). Jerome called the Holy Land the Fifth Gospel -- because spending time in the Holy Land so often has a profound spiritual affect upon pilgrims. Jerome said that after walking in Jesus' footsteps life going forward is different.
Christians have been making this pilgrimage for at least 1700 years!
In recent years about 2 Million Christians visit the Holy Land every year! The most famous early Christian pilgrim to Jerusalem and the Holy Land was St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine and patron saint of new discoveries. Her pilgrimage, in the early 4th century, identified many of the sacred sites still visited by pilgrims today. Helena caused great churches to be built at important locations such as the place of Jesus’ nativity in Bethlehem and his death and burial in Jerusalem. Her pilgrimage marked the beginning of large numbers of the faithful making the journey to the Holy Land, to draw closer to Jesus by walking in his footsteps and the footsteps of his disciples.
St. Jerome - a 4th C Doctor of the Church, spent years living in the crypt of the Church of the Nativity while translating the Bible into Latin -- (the Vulgate Translation). Jerome called the Holy Land the Fifth Gospel -- because spending time in the Holy Land so often has a profound spiritual affect upon pilgrims. Jerome said that after walking in Jesus' footsteps life going forward is different.