The pilgrimage is now in full swing. As we made our journey to Nazareth in the morning, our guide told us of the plight of Christians in the Holy Land. Recent events make it feel rather odd that our pilgrimage is one of such tranquility amidst serious tension. In the 1920s, we were told, the Christian population of Israel was about 15%; today it is less than 1%.
Our first visit of the day was to the Church of the Annunciation. The Church, with its striking and impressive facade, lived up to our expectations. As one pilgrim said 'things just keep getting better and better on this pilgrimage'.
In the upper part of the Church, we had our Mass for the day. In his homily Fr John Farrell OP suggested to the assembled that in order to understand this great mystery of the incarnation we really need to understand that Jesus is true God and true man. Jesus was formed in a womb, as were we all. 'If Peter was our hero yesterday, then Mary is certainly the heroine today’, Fr John said.
The priests, led by the Cardinal, then renewed the promises of their priesthood. Following the Eucharist, we processed to the 'House of Nazareth' in the humble epicentre of this grand Church. After a moment in silent prayer and the recitation of the Creed, we were addressed by a Franciscan representing the guardians of the Holy Land. He asked that we remember their work when we return home. The experience as a whole was described by many as 'incredibly moving', and that it is an experience one 'can't really describe or do justice…I am lost for words'.
Mount Tabor was our destination after lunch. The Mount is the traditional site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1). Before we ascended, the Cardinal spoke about the day so far:
Mount Tabor was a significant point of change in the ministry of Jesus, 'and so it is for our pilgrimage' Fr John told us. It is only now that Jesus refers to his Passion, the first instance in the Gospel, and now all eyes are fixed on Jerusalem.
Everyone is in good spirits:
Our day concluded at Cana where Jesus turned the water to wine at the wedding in the Gospel of John. Our Lady, the heroine, gives us the whole spirit of Marian theology in her last recorded words in the Gospel: 'Do whatever he tells you' (John 2:5). We must equally follow the lead of Our Lady to her Son.
How appropriate that in this place synonymous with marriage our married pilgrims were invited to renew their vows. We recognise in the story there is no mention of Joseph at this point. It is assumed that he had died by the time of the wedding in Cana. With this in mind we invited everyone to pray for those who are widows or widowers and those whose spouses cannot be here for whatever reason.
A touching end to a profound day that will take time to digest.
At the end of the day, the Cardinal gave this message about day 2 and an update on the situation in Jerusalem following the recent events there:
For more photos of the day, please click HERE
This is an abridged version of the day. For a more detailed account, please click HERE
