The pilgrims during their visit to Jerusalem.
PANAJI
Amid the ongoing unrest and war in the Middle East, a group of Goans undertook a rare pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Organised by Zion Tours & Travels, an agency run by Paul Siqueira, a group of 33 Goans and others from Kolkata visited various iconic Christian landmarks between October 12 and October 21.
The pilgrims, who were accompanied by Paul Siqueira and his team, began their pilgrimage in Jordan with a visit to Madaba, the city of Christians and a visit to St George Church, Mount Nebo, the Jordan valley and viewed the hill of Jerusalem.
They later went to Israel and proceeded to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary’s well and St Joseph’s workshop.
“During our visit to Cana, all couples in the group had the distinct privilege of renewing their marriage vows,” said Leonora dos Santos, a member in the group.
The pilgrims also got to visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s field, Milk Grotto and Church of Nativity.
From the Mount of Olives, the pilgrims had a panoramic view of Jerusalem, before they visited the Church of the Ascension, Pater Noster Church, and got to walk along Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
They then visited the garden of Gethsemane, the Basilica of Agony (Church of all nations) and the room of the Last Supper.
The pilgrims at Mount Tabor.
“We then entered the old city of Jerusalem through St Stephen's or Lion's gate. We walked to the Church of Condemnation and flagellation where we began the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief). Needless to say, this path, in particular, had all of us filled with emotion, recalling the immense pain Jesus suffered for our sins,” recalled Leonora.
The pilgrims then visited the Holy Sepulcher, followed the footsteps of our Lord on his way to Calvary culminating in the journey to Golgotha, followed by a visit to the Tomb (a part of the stone widely believed to be a part of the stone that covered Jesus’ tomb) and a visit to the Western/Wailing Wall considered to be the holiest site for the Jews.
The pilgrimage also included a visit to Ein Karem city, the birthplace of St John the Baptist, the Church of the Visitation, Jericho, and the Mount of temptation (outside view).
“A dip in the Dead Sea was a novel experience for everyone! On our way to Taba/Egypt, we viewed the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found and saw the statue of Lot's wife....all salt around,” said Leonora.
At Mount Sinai, the pilgrims visited St Catherine Monastery and saw the Burning Bush.
The pilgrims at the Mount of Beatitudes.
The pilgrims later proceeded via the Suez Canal and arrived in Cairo where they visited a Christian Church, saw the Pyramids and Sphinx and proceeded to a papyrus factory and a perfume factory. The pilgrimage ended with a cruise on the River Nile and dinner on board.
“Paul Sequeira and the Zion Team made flawless arrangements for the entire pilgrimage, which included visas for Israel, Egypt and Jordan, flights, accommodation in 4-5 starred hotels, entry to all significant places of interest, good tour guides, comfortable buses for the tours and cross-country travel,” acknowledged Leonora.
“Besides, Paul’s knowledge of and insights into Holy Scripture encouraged our entire group to seek a closer relationship with our Lord. He also makes it a point to take at least one priest on every trip to The Holy Land, so the group is blessed with a daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist, insightful homilies as well as confessions as and when required by the pilgrims.”
Other members in the group also described their pilgrimage as a spiritually enriching and praised Zion Tours and Travels for their once-in-a-life and life-changing experience.
