FE Reflections: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Reflection by Sr. Jaime Mitchell

In early September, I had the privilege and honor to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  Reflecting on that time abroad, I cannot thank God enough for His providence and protection.  Please pray for peace and an end to violence in the region, for all those who have died, and for the protection for all from any evil and harm. 

They say a picture paints a thousand words, so please enjoy some highlights and photos from my pilgrimage.

Day 1 – Tiberias

We started our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  The same waters where Jesus calmed the storm, walked on the water, cooked fishes on the shore – it was quite surreal. We visited the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.  It is quite peaceful and beautiful and the view is spectacular.  It was edifying to imagine Jesus teaching to the crowds of 20,000 people.

Day 2 – Tabgha, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi

At Tabgha, we visited the Church of the Multiplication where the multiplication of the loaves and fishes took place. Then we made our way to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter which is built on the rocks of the shore of Galilee. This is where Jesus cooked the fish over the fire after His resurrection and told his disciples,  “Come, have breakfast.” (John 21:12) It’s also where I put my feet in the water!

Day 3 – We started our morning in Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. The area has been excavated over recent years and you can see the original tiles. There were beautiful mosaics in the Church. We were blessed to have a healing service and allow the Lord to speak to our hearts while being prayed over.

We then made our way to Nazareth to the Basilica of the Annunciation and then to Cana where we saw the huge stone jars that held the water made into wine by Jesus in His first miracle. Following this, the married couples on our pilgrimage renewed their wedding vows.

Day 4 – Mt. Tabor, Israeli Museum, Bethlehem and sharing a meal with a Christian family

This was one of my favorite days. We celebrated Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration is one of my favorite Scripture passages. I was excited to be here and I especially loved the prayer during the preface for the Eucharistic Prayer: “that the scandal of the cross might be removed from the hearts of his disciples and that he might show how in the body of the whole church is to be fulfilled what so wonderfully shone forth first in its Head.” I felt Jesus speaking to me in these words. “Sister – I need you to embrace your Cross more as it is your path to holiness. I am calling you to something deeper.”

That evening, we enjoyed a dinner at the home of one of the local Christian families. Their hospitality was warm and inviting, and it was a pleasure getting to know them.

Day 5 – Bethlehem – Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, and Shepherds Field

We made our way to the Church of the Nativity and entered through the door of humility – so called because you have to lower yourself to enter. We waited in line to venerate the spot where Jesus was born. Right before it was our turn, the Franciscans who minister at the Church of the Nativity prayed the Angelus, and we were able to join in with them. It was bewildering to pray where Jesus was born! Afterwards, we saw the den where St. Jerome lived and translated the Bible.

Day 6 – Bethany, Lazarus’s Tomb, Jericho, Jordan River, Mount of Temptations, Dead Sea

This was one of our busiest days! We went to Bethany – to the House of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. I loved it here very much and felt Martha’s presence. I often ask for help when it comes to serving and hospitality. I felt right at home. We were also able to enter into Lazarus’s Tomb and just like Jesus called forth Lazarus to come out, we, too, were called out of the tomb!

We renewed our Baptismal Promises in the Jordan River, went on a camel ride, and ended the day at the Dead Sea. While it was fun floating in the Dead Sea, it was not at all refreshing! It was super hot and salty!

Day 7 – Mount of Olives, The Church of the Ascension, Church of Pater Noster (Our Father), Garden of Gethsemane

We went to the Mount of Olives which overlooks the city of Jerusalem. You can imagine Jesus looking over the city as He prepared for His passion. The immensity of the thorns that was used to weave a crown for His head was unbelievable. I kept imagining His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The suffering that Jesus endured out of love for us was overwhelming and heart-rending.

Day 8 – Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Pools of Bethseda

Quite an early day, starting with the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) while making our way to the Holy Sepulchre. This is where Jesus suffered His passion, death, and Resurrection. We visited the site of His Crucifixion (Calvary or Golgotha), the place where His body was laid in preparation for His burial, and His empty tomb, where He was laid to rest and rose from the dead! One of my favorite spots to pray was in the Franciscan chapel, which housed a part of the pillar where He was scourged. The scourging has great significance for me and it was a gift to be able to touch the pillar and pray with Jesus there.

Day 9 – Holy Sepulchre, Western Wall, The Church of Dormition, The Cenacle, The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, Holy Hour at the Garden of Gethsemane

Some of us rose early to spend time in prayer in the Holy Sepulchre before our day began. After breakfast, we visited the Western Wall, praying and placing petitions in the wall. We made our way to the Church of Dormition, visited the site of the Last Supper, and had Mass at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter’s denial took place, as well as the site of Caiaphas’s palace, where Jesus was held overnight. We ended our night with Eucharistic Adoration at the Church of All Nations, which houses the rock that Jesus prayed on during His agony.

Day 10 – Valley of Elah, Ein Karem – Birthplace of John the Baptist, Church of the Visitation

The last day of our pilgrimage! Here we started our morning at the Valley of Elah, where David slung his stones into the brow of the giant, Goliath! We made our way to Ein Karem to the Birthplace of John the Baptist, prayed the Canticle of Zechariah, and the Church of the Visitation where Mary made haste to the home of Elizabeth, her cousin. It is definitely hill country!

While there is a lot more that could be shared with you, there is not enough space to capture everything!

Thank you to all of those who made this pilgrimage possible, including the following people:

Benefactors and family who contributed to my pilgrimage.  I will forever be indebted to you for your generosity and selflessness.

Tony and Chris, the fantastic men of Casting Nets Ministries, who led us from the United States to all the sites of the Holy Land, reflecting on Scripture and challenging us to go deeper in our spiritual life with Jesus. If you’re looking to make a pilgrimage, I highly recommend these two.

Fr. Clay Kimbro, Diocesan Priest of Wichita, and a friend of mine, who without his invitation, I would have not experienced this life changing pilgrimage. 

Rami, our tour guide, and Sam, our amazing skilled bus driver, for their knowledge, kindness, and patience!

My fellow pilgrims that I shared this journey with…thank you for all the laughter, joy, and those profound moments of tenderness and tears.

Last but not least, my Religious Community, for granting me permission to experience this pilgrimage, for their selflessness and covering for me while I was away.  I am grateful for all of you.  Many prayers were said for all of you.