Mass at Calvary

A group of 17 of us got up for a 6:30am Mass at the Catholic Chapel which is next to Mount Calvary. It was early but it was an unforgettable experience. The Mosaic just above the Altar set the focus for the Mass. This is the moment when the sacrifice of Jesus, when He offered His life on the Cross for us, is made present to us again, for our salvation and that of the world.
In the background we could hear the organ playing and the Franciscan Friars chanting as they celebrated Mass at the Holy Sepulcher. Two Sisters of Charity joined us for Mass and didn't miss a beat - their presence with us made it even more notable.

Mass at St. Savior (visit w Franciscan Friars)

After traveling back to Jerusalem from the Dead Sea, we celebrated Mass at St. Savior where Fr. Brian reminded us of the need for fresh flowing water (Jesus) to give life. Then Fr. Athanasius McCora shared insights into the efforts of Christians, the crisis of leadership, and the financial struggles to keep Holy Places as churches rather than museums.

Dead Sea - floating

Dead Sea adventures began after a Mediterranean buffet lunch and shopping for mud, minerals, and creams that would make us more attractive. Many pilgrims ventured into the cool waters to feel the dark, slimy clay and experience free-floating in salty waters.

Qumran - Dead Sea Scrolls

Qumran, located on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea became famous due to the Essenes Jewish sect (second century B.C.) who left in the caves a magnificent legacy that we now call the Dead Sea Scrolls. The first discovery began in 1947 when Bedouin shepherds found seven ancient scrolls.

Massada

We boarded the bus to the Dead Sea area of Israel. We recited morning prayer while we traveled and learned the history and terrain of the area. The plateau of Masada, a National Park, is located on the eastern fringe of the Judean Desert near the shore of the Dead Sea between En Gedi and Sodom. Its remote location and natural defenses transformed it into a fortress. King Herod (40-4BC) constructed palaces and fortifications as a desert retreat. In AD 66 the Zealots captured Masada from the Romans at the start of the First Jewish Revolt. Eventually the Romans besieged Masada with 15,000 men while the Jewish Zealots and families numbered 967. When the Romans breached the wall of the western mountainside, they found everyone dead, except for one woman and her children. All others chose death over defeat and dishonor. A potent symbol for the state and people of Israel, Israeli soldiers are sworn in here with the words, “Masada shall not fall again.” Although most visitors reach the mountain top by cable-car with magnificent views, two of our younger pilgrims chose to hike the Snake Path to the top in record time.

Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem)

Shopping & Support of Holy Land Christians

There are about 15,000 Christians in Bethlehem and about 60,000 Muslims. There used to be more but many left due to persecution from the Muslims and the lack of jobs - which came as they were separated from Jerusalem with a wall. To enter Bethlehem we had to leave our bus and tour guide and get on another one with a Christian guide. This man shared a little about his life there, about how many families have left, but that he stayed with his family because he thought it was the right thing to do. He helped us along in our pilgrimage experience by getting us started when singing Christmas Carols and giving us a description of the sites from a perspective of living faith.
In the picture, Rami, a 22 year old, gave us a tour of his family's olive wood factory. Later we went to his uncle's store where we purchased many treasures.

Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity

This is the oldest church in the Holy Land since it was spared by the Muslims when they invaded in the 7th century. The Chapel is just above the cave where Jesus was born and placed in the manger. The tradition that the birth was in a cave is one of the oldest Christian traditions. Justin Martyr mentions it in the mid-2nd century, as does the Protoevangelium of James (also 2nd c.). Origen notes that the cave of Jesus' birth was pointed out in his day and no doubt this was the same place where the Byzantine church was erected. Bethlehem, The “House of Bread”, also known as Ephrath - means fruitful.

CHURCH OF NATIVITY - Built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ. Manager Square, with its merchants of carved olive wood crèches and mother-of-pearl jewelry, stands in front of one of the most ancient churches of Christendom. It is in the charge of the Greek Orthodox. Centuries ago the spacious door was reduced to the small one of today so that one must bow low to enter the spot where God humbled himself to become man. It was done for a less spiritual reason: To prevent looting invaders from riding in on horseback. The interior of the church still contains elements from the fourth-century Church of St. Helena, such as the mosaic floor beneath the wooden doors of the present level. To the right of the Orthodox sanctuary a staircase descends to the cave of the Nativity. The Silver Star beneath the Greek altar proclaims in Latin the “Here the Word was made Flesh.” To the side are the Latin altars of the Manger and the Adoration by the Magi.

In the fourth century, the emperor Constantine ordered the construction of a magnificent basilica over the cave of Christ's birth. Its four rows of columns formed five aisles, at the eastern end of which was an octagonal structure above the site of the grotto. Destroyed in the sixth century, the church was rebuilt by the emperor Justinian. The structure of that church still stands, but only a few fragments of its magnificent mosaics and golden embellishments remain.

A stairway in the sanctuary descends to the Cave of the Nativity where a silver star, glistening with the reflection of scores of oil lamps, marks the spot honored as the birthplace of Jesus. The star is inscribed with the Latin words Hic De Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est (Here, of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ was born). A few feet away is the altar honoring the Adoration of the Magi and the site of the manger where the infant Jesus lay. Surely the Son of God could have chosen whatever culture and economic strata he wanted to enter our world. We stand in wonder at the choice he made for himself, a choice that must have been for our benefit and our instruction. Since there was no place in the lodging for travelers, Mary and Joseph withdrew to a place where animals were kept, perhaps underneath or at the back of a house (Luke 2:7). The earliest tradition says the place of Jesus' birth was a cave, a natural place for keeping animals and their feed.

Church of the Nativity - St. Joseph Chapel

At the rear of the Church of the Nativity the staircase descends to other caves and chapels dedicated to the memory of the Holy Innocents, and St. Joseph, and to St. Jerome, who lived in his cave, studying and translating the Bible into Latin (known as the Vulgate). His statue is on a pedestal in the cloister in front of the church. Deacon Jerry (Jerome) Klement was rather excited about this and several times exclaimed, "Heronimus". This altar where we celebrated Mass is at the entrance to the cave where Jesus was born. Here is also the traditional place where the Angel appeared to Joseph telling him to take Mary and Jesus and flea to Egypt.

Bethlehem - Shepherd's Field

We visited the chapels in the caves where the shepherds would have kept their sheep safe and warm at night. Also, there is a chapel above the caves with glass circles in the ceiling to imitate the stars at night.

At the time of Jesus, shepherds were people of low esteem. They were poor nomads, often looked upon with suspicion, holding no social or religious sta¬tus in Israel. That they would be chosen as the first to hear the "good news of great joy" (verse 10) is surely an indication that God has "lifted up the lowly" (1:52). Jesus' birth among the poor anticipates his ministry to the poor and outcasts of Israel's society. He, whose birth was first announced to shepherd in the fields, will become the good shepherd of the sheep.