Holy Land Updates

by James “Jimmy” Hyland Greetings from the Catholic Journeys Office in New Orleans. It has been 11 days since we left our dear friends and colleagues in the Holy Land, the memories of their incredible hospitality, kindness and professionalism still fresh in our minds and rooted in our hearts. We are in daily communication with...Read More

Notes from the Holy Land, Feb 25, Wednesday The weather this morning is absolutely amazing, clear and sunny, and about 65°, a perfect day for visiting Jerusalem, one of my favorite cities on the planet. But first we are off to Shepherd‘s Field, the place where the angels announced the birth of Our Lord to...Read More

Notes from the Holy Land Feb 24, Tuesday This morning we left the hotel at 5:30am in order to be at the Church of the Nativity by 6:00am. We had a little rain overnight so the Manger Square was especially clean and shiny with the sunrise. With the church bells ringing, we bowed down and...Read More

Notes from the Holy Land Feb 23, Monday This morning’s breakfast was a little more leisurely, we left the hotel around 9:30 AM to go to the nearby village of Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. Here at the wedding church we met, Fr. Martin from Oaxaca, Mexico, who is now pastor and director...Read More

Notes from the Holy Land Feb 22, Sunday This morning began with a typical Israeli Breakfast Buffett which includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I of course, steered more towards the Double Espresso Coffee and Chocolate Croissant end of the table, giving me just the right amount of sugar and caffeine I needed to...Read More

This morning we arrived in Tel Aviv shortly after 9 AM, a smooth landing after a pleasant, if long flight from the USA. Passport control was quick and efficient now that we have to acquire an ETA – IL before departure. After deplaning, all passengers follow the signs to passport control, stopping along the way...Read More

Why Catholics Are Asking “Is It Safe to Travel to the Holy Land?” For many Catholics, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is the journey of a lifetime – a chance to walk where Jesus walked, to pray at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to be baptized in the Jordan River, and to celebrate...Read More