All the best,
Oscar
Location:Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Last day
It's Sunday late afternoon, we are back in the hotel. We are leaving to the airport early tomorrow. Thank you for following my blog. My blog was a sketch of my trip. I look forward to sharing in detail all that I have learned and experienced.
All the best,
Oscar
All the best,
Oscar
Sunday Mass in Arabic
This is a regular parish in the town of Birzeit. This is a college town. The University of Birzeit is the largest university in the West Bank.
You can see the Virgin of Guadalupe at the top of the church.
The interior of the church.
This is the parochial high school attached to the parish.
Behind the main altar you have three mosaics. On the left is the Agony of the Garden, center the Crucifixion and left the Resurrection.
You can see the Virgin of Guadalupe at the top of the church.
The interior of the church.
This is the parochial high school attached to the parish.
Behind the main altar you have three mosaics. On the left is the Agony of the Garden, center the Crucifixion and left the Resurrection.
Location:Birzeit, West Bank, Palestine
Birth place of Jesus
The hotel that we are staying at is just down the hill from the Church of the Nativity. Like the Holy Sepulcher, there is consensus between all the Christian denominations on location for the site of the birth of Jesus. The first church was built by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. The Church was not destroyed by the Persians, who destroyed most of the churches in Jerusalem in 614 C.E., because of the mosaic depicting the Magi from Persia.
The original church by St. Helena was repaired by Emperor Justinian. Justinian reused some of the columns and raised the floor. After Justinian, the Crusaders also conducted repairs.
The door is much smaller than the original door. If you look closely, you can see the original arch doorway.
The nave of the church. There is a cave underneath the main altar that holds the cave where Jesus was born. I did not take a picture of the holy site.
The original mosaic floor from the church built by St. Helena.
The chapel adjacent to the Nativity Church is the Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria. It is inside this church we have the entrance to the cave of St. Jerome, who translated the bible to the vulgate. St. Jerome is buried in the cave.
To the left is an altar. In front is the tomb of St. Jerome. The wood carving is an image of St. Jerome.
The original church by St. Helena was repaired by Emperor Justinian. Justinian reused some of the columns and raised the floor. After Justinian, the Crusaders also conducted repairs.
The door is much smaller than the original door. If you look closely, you can see the original arch doorway.
The nave of the church. There is a cave underneath the main altar that holds the cave where Jesus was born. I did not take a picture of the holy site.
The original mosaic floor from the church built by St. Helena.
The chapel adjacent to the Nativity Church is the Chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria. It is inside this church we have the entrance to the cave of St. Jerome, who translated the bible to the vulgate. St. Jerome is buried in the cave.
To the left is an altar. In front is the tomb of St. Jerome. The wood carving is an image of St. Jerome.
Location:Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
The Shepherds field
Beit Sahour is the town adjacent to Bethlehem. The name actually means the home shepherds. It is in this town where tradition tells us that the shepherds were present when the angel came and announce the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8-20).
This church was built in the 1940s. There was a Byzantine church built at this site, but it was destroyed by the Persians. The crusaders did not build a church at this site. The dome of the church was constructed so that at morning and twilight you could see beams of light illuminate the interior of the church. The day we visited was a cloudy day.
One of the side altars of the church.
This church was built in the 1940s. There was a Byzantine church built at this site, but it was destroyed by the Persians. The crusaders did not build a church at this site. The dome of the church was constructed so that at morning and twilight you could see beams of light illuminate the interior of the church. The day we visited was a cloudy day.
One of the side altars of the church.
Location:Beth Sahour, West Bank , Palestine
The Road to Emmaus
There are four sites for the possible road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-35). The different possibilities come from the understanding of the distance written in the bible. Some biblical scholars have Emmaus at 60 stadia others have it at 160 stadia. 60 stadia is about 7 miles.
We visited the site in Aba Gosh. This was the site where the crusaders built a church over the foundation of the base of the 10th Roman Legion. The church was a midway point for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem from the Mediterranean.
Church entrance
We celebrated mass here.
The walls of the church. Most of the damage has been due to weather, but except for the faces. The faces are blurred out. According to the tour guide, the church was not destroyed by the Ottomans, but the faces were blurred.
The marker stating that the 10th Roman Army camped here.
We visited the site in Aba Gosh. This was the site where the crusaders built a church over the foundation of the base of the 10th Roman Legion. The church was a midway point for pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem from the Mediterranean.
Church entrance
We celebrated mass here.
The walls of the church. Most of the damage has been due to weather, but except for the faces. The faces are blurred out. According to the tour guide, the church was not destroyed by the Ottomans, but the faces were blurred.
The marker stating that the 10th Roman Army camped here.
Location:Aba Gosh, Israel
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Bethlehem University
We visited the Catholic Christian Brothers university, Bethlehem University. It was a great visit. We met the vice-president of the college. Br. Jack is an Albany, NY native. His parents' are parishioner at St. Pius X in Loundonville, NY. Bethlehem U. is a Catholic college that many Christian denominations and muslim students attend. It was great to see a a true multiple faith campus.
This is the highest point in Bethlehem. Bethlehem U. is built on a hill.
Hall way in the main administrative building. This is the entrance to the chapel.
This is the highest point in Bethlehem. Bethlehem U. is built on a hill.
Hall way in the main administrative building. This is the entrance to the chapel.
Location:Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
Catholic Relief Services
We also had a presentation by the local program officer of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The program officer covered the range of programs that occur in the West Bank. The programs are geared towards all people regardless of religious affiliation. One of the many programs is the rehabilitation of homes in the West Bank.
Here is a link to view more of the programs, http://crs.org/Jerusalem/.
The need and the work is immense. Both the HCEF and CRS presentations were eye opening. What came to my mind during the presentation is the saying "no peace without justice". There are many needs and injustices that are impeding peace.
Here is a link to view more of the programs, http://crs.org/Jerusalem/.
The need and the work is immense. Both the HCEF and CRS presentations were eye opening. What came to my mind during the presentation is the saying "no peace without justice". There are many needs and injustices that are impeding peace.
Location:Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF)
On March 24th, we heard a presentation on the great work of the HCEF (http://www.hcef.org/).
Due to the tough political and economic conditions in Palestine, the Arab Christians are migrating out of their historical homeland. Here are the goals of the HCEF.
1. We educate people around the world about the presence of Arab Christians in the Holy Land and remind them of their moral obligation to the Mother Church.
2. We build community between Christians throughout the world and Arab Christians of the Holy Land through pilgrimages, publications, and communication.
3. We develop bonds of solidarity through church-to-church, family-to-family, and person-to-person partnership programs in order to bring Christians together in community for future cooperation.
4. We promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Holy Land by removing the causes of human suffering and replacing despair with hope, fear with security, and humiliation with dignity.
5. We undertake specific projects designed to advance better living conditions for Arab Christians in the Holy Land. Projects focus on creating employment, advancing education, building and renovating houses, and developing the healthy growth of children.
(from the HCEF website)
Due to the tough political and economic conditions in Palestine, the Arab Christians are migrating out of their historical homeland. Here are the goals of the HCEF.
1. We educate people around the world about the presence of Arab Christians in the Holy Land and remind them of their moral obligation to the Mother Church.
2. We build community between Christians throughout the world and Arab Christians of the Holy Land through pilgrimages, publications, and communication.
3. We develop bonds of solidarity through church-to-church, family-to-family, and person-to-person partnership programs in order to bring Christians together in community for future cooperation.
4. We promote peace, justice, and reconciliation in the Holy Land by removing the causes of human suffering and replacing despair with hope, fear with security, and humiliation with dignity.
5. We undertake specific projects designed to advance better living conditions for Arab Christians in the Holy Land. Projects focus on creating employment, advancing education, building and renovating houses, and developing the healthy growth of children.
(from the HCEF website)
Location:Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Parents and Family of Jesus
We left the Sea of Galilee in the late afternoon and drove to Nazareth to spend the night. The next morning (Wednesday, March 23), we visited the family home of Mary and Joseph.
Church entrance
Path to the spring.
The spring.
The main church altar
There are two locations for the Annunciation. The Greek Orthodox tradition says that the Angle Gabriel visited Mary as she was drawing water from a well. The church above was built upon the spring that Mary had to have been at because it is the only spring in Nazareth.
This is the Nazareth complex. This is the site where we have the Catholic Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. The Catholics believe that the Annunciation took place at Mary's house.
This is the altar that we were able to celebrate mass. It was a moving experience because our proximity to Mary's house. Behind the alter you see Mary's house. Nazareth was a small town and we are pretty certain that this is her house. They found an inscription in the house reading "Hail Full of Grace".
This is an altar located in her house. This tradition believe that the Angle Gabriel announced to Mary that she would have a child who would save the world (Matthew 1:18-23).
The Church of Joseph was built on top of Joseph's house.
A side altar inside the church. They were celebrating mass when we visited so we could not take pictures of the main altar.
This is the Church of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-45). This is the location where Catholics believe that the visitation occurred. This church is located in Ein Karem which is located just outside of the city of Jerusalem. We were here when the bus explosion occurred in Jerusalem.
This site is where the Magnificant was recited by Mary (Luke 1:46-56). Below is a picture of the Magnificant written in many languages.
In the distance you are seeing the Church of the birthplace of John the Baptist as seen from the Church of the Visitation.
The front of the Church of John the Baptist.
It is here that Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, recited the prophecy about Jesus (Luke 1:67-78). This canticle is called the Benedictus and is used in liturgy of the hours.
Church entrance
Path to the spring.
The spring.
The main church altar
There are two locations for the Annunciation. The Greek Orthodox tradition says that the Angle Gabriel visited Mary as she was drawing water from a well. The church above was built upon the spring that Mary had to have been at because it is the only spring in Nazareth.
This is the Nazareth complex. This is the site where we have the Catholic Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. The Catholics believe that the Annunciation took place at Mary's house.
This is the altar that we were able to celebrate mass. It was a moving experience because our proximity to Mary's house. Behind the alter you see Mary's house. Nazareth was a small town and we are pretty certain that this is her house. They found an inscription in the house reading "Hail Full of Grace".
This is an altar located in her house. This tradition believe that the Angle Gabriel announced to Mary that she would have a child who would save the world (Matthew 1:18-23).
The Church of Joseph was built on top of Joseph's house.
A side altar inside the church. They were celebrating mass when we visited so we could not take pictures of the main altar.
This is the Church of the Visitation (Luke 1:39-45). This is the location where Catholics believe that the visitation occurred. This church is located in Ein Karem which is located just outside of the city of Jerusalem. We were here when the bus explosion occurred in Jerusalem.
This site is where the Magnificant was recited by Mary (Luke 1:46-56). Below is a picture of the Magnificant written in many languages.
In the distance you are seeing the Church of the birthplace of John the Baptist as seen from the Church of the Visitation.
The front of the Church of John the Baptist.
It is here that Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, recited the prophecy about Jesus (Luke 1:67-78). This canticle is called the Benedictus and is used in liturgy of the hours.
Location:Nazareth and Ein Karem
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sea of Galilee
Yesterday, we drove from Jerusalem to Galilee. We saw so much so I will give a few highlights.
On the road to Capernium, we drove by the mountains of Moab. It is in Mt. Nebo in Moab that Moses is buried and Joshua saw and entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)
In the distance, you can see the city of Jericho. We were going to stop at Jericho. We had a few hour delay to due transportation issues. We hope to stop in Jericho on Saturday. Jericho is the city that the returning Israelites first captured after returning from the Egyptian exile.(Joshua 6:1-27).
Date farms. According to out tour guide, most of the dates produced are exported to the US and Europe.
Church of Heptagon. This is the place tradition says that the multiplication of the loaves and fish occurred (Mark 8:1-10). Underneath the alter is the rock that, tradition says, Jesus placed the fish and the loaves as he blessed them. The floor is the original mosaic floor of the church that was built during the Byzantine era (approx. 4th century)
We had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing to be on the same water that Jesus and the Apostles fished and sailed. It is in these waters that Jesus calmed the winds and waves (Matthew 8:23-27), and that Jesus walked on water (John 6:16-21). As we were sailing, a storm came through. It was raining, windy, and the seas were choppy. It was true that the weather changed quickly as described in Matthew 8.
According to tradition this is the house of St. Peter's Mother-in-Law. These are the remains of a house that dates back to the time of Jesus. Jesus had many miracles and he had three based in Capernium. One of these was the healing of Peter's Mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17)
This is the synogague in Capernium. The black rock is the foundation of the 1st century synagogue that Jesus preached at and attended. This is the synagogue that was built by the Roman Centurion. Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13).
According to tradition, these houses contain the house that the paralytic man was lowered through the roof and was healed by Jesus (Matthew 9:2-8). According to our tour guide, one hundred or more people lived in these houses.
This is the Church of the Beatitudes. This eightsided Church was built in the 1980's on the mountain that Jesus proclaimed the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). The view of the Sea of Galelie was breathtaking (as seen below).
According to tradition, this is the place where the resurrected Jesus met the disciples and cooked them breakfast. It is here that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and Jesus told Peter to feed his flock (John 21:1-19). This is the church of the Primacy of Peter. We celebrated mass outside next to this beach. It was a wonderful experience to celebrate the Eucharist as pilgrims in a place where the resurrected Jesus once stood.
On the road to Capernium, we drove by the mountains of Moab. It is in Mt. Nebo in Moab that Moses is buried and Joshua saw and entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 34:1-12)
In the distance, you can see the city of Jericho. We were going to stop at Jericho. We had a few hour delay to due transportation issues. We hope to stop in Jericho on Saturday. Jericho is the city that the returning Israelites first captured after returning from the Egyptian exile.(Joshua 6:1-27).
Date farms. According to out tour guide, most of the dates produced are exported to the US and Europe.
Church of Heptagon. This is the place tradition says that the multiplication of the loaves and fish occurred (Mark 8:1-10). Underneath the alter is the rock that, tradition says, Jesus placed the fish and the loaves as he blessed them. The floor is the original mosaic floor of the church that was built during the Byzantine era (approx. 4th century)
We had a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. It was amazing to be on the same water that Jesus and the Apostles fished and sailed. It is in these waters that Jesus calmed the winds and waves (Matthew 8:23-27), and that Jesus walked on water (John 6:16-21). As we were sailing, a storm came through. It was raining, windy, and the seas were choppy. It was true that the weather changed quickly as described in Matthew 8.
According to tradition this is the house of St. Peter's Mother-in-Law. These are the remains of a house that dates back to the time of Jesus. Jesus had many miracles and he had three based in Capernium. One of these was the healing of Peter's Mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-17)
This is the synogague in Capernium. The black rock is the foundation of the 1st century synagogue that Jesus preached at and attended. This is the synagogue that was built by the Roman Centurion. Jesus healed the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13).
According to tradition, these houses contain the house that the paralytic man was lowered through the roof and was healed by Jesus (Matthew 9:2-8). According to our tour guide, one hundred or more people lived in these houses.
This is the Church of the Beatitudes. This eightsided Church was built in the 1980's on the mountain that Jesus proclaimed the eight beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). The view of the Sea of Galelie was breathtaking (as seen below).
According to tradition, this is the place where the resurrected Jesus met the disciples and cooked them breakfast. It is here that Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and Jesus told Peter to feed his flock (John 21:1-19). This is the church of the Primacy of Peter. We celebrated mass outside next to this beach. It was a wonderful experience to celebrate the Eucharist as pilgrims in a place where the resurrected Jesus once stood.
Location:Sea of Galilee
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