Day 8 Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Way of the Cross

The morning came early as we were to load the bus at 4:45 a.m. Our route today was to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We entered the Old City of Jerusalem through the Damascus Gate. It was here that we would walk the Via Dolorosa. The Via Dolorosa is the route that Jesus took on his way to his crucifixion and burial. Our guide, George, was smart in having us follow the way of the cross early as the streets are lined during the day with people and merchants. It would be almost impossible to have a spiritual moment while the market was in full swing. With us prayerfully following the stations in the very early dawn, in the dark, we were able to feel the presence of Christ's great sacrifice for us.

After we completed the Via Dolorosa we visited the sites within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and celebrated Mass at the Alter of the Crucifixion. The sites in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre include: the climb to Calvary - the spot where Jesus was nailed to the cross, the hole in the rock where the cross of Jesus crucified, was placed so it could stand erect, and the decent down Calvary to the stone slab that Jesus' body was prepared before being laid in the tomb, and lastly, to the tomb in which Christ was laid.

The pinnacle of our pilgrimage is here at this spot of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. To be part of this journey is to strengthen our faith. While we walked the stations of the cross, the pilgrims and I, were silent only to be heard when we prayed and sang. Very humbling for us all. 

Although I mentioned that this is the pinnacle of our journey it is not the ending. We will continue our journey WITH Jesus tomorrow as we head to Rome.

Peace,

Fr. John.