As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They … Read More
What These College Students Did During Their Holy Land Pilgrimage Might Surprise You
If you were blessed to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, what would you want to do, and where would you want to go? How would you walk in the footsteps of Christ? Perhaps, you’d like to stand beside the River Jordan and gather water from the river where John baptized Christ. Maybe you’d … Read More
Christians in the Holy Land: How They Struggle and How We Can Help
At Tekton Ministries, we believe that every Catholic should visit the Holy Land at least once in their lifetime. The experience of walking where Christ once trod, stepping into the waters of the Jordan where Jesus was baptized, kneeling in prayer where Christ was crucified, and again at the tomb where he resurrected, will strengthen … Read More
Ein Karem and John the Baptist
In the southwest part of Jerusalem lies the ancient village of Ein Karem, literally meaning “Spring of the Vineyard,” and known by some as the “most beautiful neighborhood in Jerusalem.” Surrounded by green hills and forests, many travel to this village to experience its picturesque beauty and visit the various Christian and historical sites there. … Read More
Pilgrimaging Not Just for Ourselves but for Others
A pilgrimage is an opportunity to draw closer to our Lord. It is more than just a trip or a vacation, but an answer to the call from the Lord as He calls us to come and follow Him. A pilgrimage can be a time to carry special intentions for oneself or for others who … Read More
Holy Week in the Holy Land
The greatest pilgrimage of all – that of Our Lord on His way to the Cross – took place in and around the modern city of Jerusalem. The steps He took for our salvation nearly 2000 years ago can be retraced even today. The sites He made holy are surrounded by celebration and throughout the … Read More
“Where the Word became Flesh”
A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is not complete without a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. This holy site is where God first humbled Himself to become one of us – where “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This remarkable event from our salvation history … Read More
The Via Dolorosa
It is a weekly tradition in the Holy Land to walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. The Franciscans lead this procession through the winding streets of the Old City of Jerusalem following in the footsteps of Christ and His suffering. The procession marks the path Jesus walked under the … Read More
Lets Celebrate Jesus’ Early Life
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple on February 2nd celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. It falls between the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on January 25th, and the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter on February 22nd. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation of Jesus in … Read More
Restoring Church of the Nativity is like ‘touching heaven’
The Italian firm restoring one of Christianity’s holiest sites — the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem — says it’s more than half-way finished with the 14 million dollar project, which has already uncovered a Crusades-era mosaic angel hidden under plaster. Piacenti SpA, a family-run conservation firm from the Tuscan town of Prato, won the … Read More
‘Mother, this is your Son’
It is believed that the evangelist St. John had spent his last years in the region around Ephesus and buried in the southern slope of Ayosolug Hill. Three hundred years after the death of St. John, a small chapel was constructed over the grave in the 4th century. The church of St. John was changed … Read More
The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
( Salt and Light Media ) According to the tradition in the Eastern Church, when Mary was three years of age, Joachim and Anne took her to the Temple so that she might be consecrated to the service of the Lord. The legend says that they invited the young girls of the town to walk … Read More
Pilgrimage to Holy Land with Vicar General
Original text written by Natalie Hoefer for the August 5th issue of the Criterion. Members of the archdiocese are invited to join Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general, on an 11-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land coordinated by Tekton Ministries on Jan. 23 through Feb. 2, 2017. The pilgrimage to this region, the birthplace of … Read More
