For a message about traveling to the Middle East click here.

One of the 55 propositions that the bishops sent over to the Pope following this past October’s world Synod of Bishops on the “Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church,” at the Vatican was on the Holy Land. The bishops wrote:

Paul VI called the Holy Land the “Fifth Gospel.” The synod recommends pilgrimages and, if possible, the study of the sacred Scriptures in the Holy Land, and following in the steps of St. Paul. Through this experience, pilgrims and students will be able to understand better the physical and geographical environment of the Scriptures and especially the relation between the two Testaments. The stones on which Jesus walked could become for them stones of living memory. In the meantime, Christians in the Holy Land need the communion of all Christians, especially in these days of conflict, poverty and fear.

Our past pilgrimages to Malta and Rome in the footsteps of St. Paul and to the Assisi of Sts Francis and Clare have been very blessed times of learning and spiritual renewal.  We are very excited to be going to Israel in May, 2009 to walk in the footsteps of Our Lord and Our Lady, to pray at the holy sites, and to study the “Fifth Gospel” with Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Steve Ray, and Mike Aquilina.  This St. Paul Center Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is already booked up with a small waiting list.  If you would like to receive advance notice of one of our future pilgrimages, Please fill out this form.

Click Here to view the
Holy Land Pilgrimage Brochure [.pdf]
or
For more information
visit www.stevegoes.com.

Come to the Holy Land, Bishops Say

American, European Prelates Urge Support for Mideast

JERUSALEM, JAN. 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Bishops who visited the Middle East in support of the Church there have a final message at the end of their stay: “Do not be afraid. Come as pilgrims to the Holy Land.”

This was part of the appeal made in a statement today from nine bishops of the Holy Land Coordination, a group of American and European prelates who make an annual visit to the Middle East.

In their statement, “Stop the Violence! Stop the Killing! Start to Build Peace,” the bishops address the international community, the members of their own Churches, and the faithful of the Holy Land.

“There can be no peace unless people believe in peace,” the prelates wrote. “There can be no security unless there is security for all. There can be no justice unless there is justice for everyone in this land. Faith gives us hope that justice, peace and forgiveness are possible—a conviction shared by our hosts, His Beatitude Fouad Twal and the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land.”

“We are pastors, not political leaders,” the bishops acknowledged, “but the religious voice is vital to the search for peace. [...] The message of the Prince of Peace, born in this land, reminds us that peace is possible. [...] The darkness of this time will give way to light.”

The prelates urged the international community to work with Israelis and Palestinians to stop the violence in Gaza.

“With one voice press Israelis and Palestinians to build a just peace with security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians,” they pleaded.

Addressing Americans and Europeans from their own Churches, they said: “Intensify your prayer for the welfare of the Mother Church and the peace of Jerusalem. Do not be afraid. Come as pilgrims to the Holy Land and meet the living Christian communities here. Join us in persuading our governments to make Israeli-Palestinian peace a high priority.”

Finally, to the Christians of the Holy Land, the bishops affirmed: “We see in you the suffering face of Christ who lost everything for our sake. You are not alone. We are one family, a worldwide communion in Christ. We hear your cries as you suffer alongside your brothers and sisters in the wider community. We assure you of our love, our prayer and our continued solidarity.”