Pilgrimage brings the Bible to life

Legatus members’ nine-day tour of Israel’s holy sites has renewed their faith . . .

As Legatus members packed up to head home from their nine-day Holy Land pilgrimage, many of them were at a loss for words to describe how they had been affected by walking in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary and the apostles.

“Bible reading and sermons are forever changed now that I have explored the very caves, tombs, mounts, seas and shorelines — the places known to Jesus, His family and followers,” said David Mossy, who accompanied his father, Wiley Mossy of Legatus’ Houston Chapter, on the pilgrimage.

The Mossys were among 47 Legatus members and family members who took part in the Oct. 10-19 pilgrimage led by award-winning author and filmmaker Steve Ray and his wife Janet, both registered tour guides in Israel.

Holy ground

Legates visited Nazareth, Galilee, Capernaum, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Gethsemane, Bethlehem and Jericho. Pilgrims walked the Via Dolorosa and visited the Holy Sepulchre. They renewed their wedding vows at Cana, floated in the Dead Sea and visited Jerusalem’s Western Wall.

Steve and Janet Ray, said Mossy, “emphasized that it was a pilgrimage, not sightseeing.” Mossy said that he and his father were “overwhelmed by the sacred nature” of their journey.

Lou Caravella and his wife Patty of Legatus’ Cleveland Chapter said they were so thrilled with the pilgrimage they would like to take another one.

“I knew it was going to be good, but it was far better than we expected or anticipated,” said Lou Caravella. “I hope we can go on another pilgrimage with our kids.”

Maurice Glavin, his wife Ann Maria, and their three sons were also part of the pilgrimage group. The Glavins, members of Legatus’ Wilmington Chapter, are on a year-long tour of Europe.

“We found the pilgrimage just a fantastic experience as a family,” said Maurice Glavin “That says a lot.”

Life changing

Legatus’ executive director, John Hunt and his wife Kathie, members of the Chicago Chapter, were first-time pilgrims to the Holy Land.

“This was a life-changing experience for me, for Kathie, and for everyone who made the commitment to come to Israel,” he said. “It was truly a spiritual, cathartic experience.”

David and Lisa Fischer of Legatus’ Fort Worth Chapter made the pilgrimage with their four young children — Emily, Megan, Henry and George.

“We went on the pilgrimage to give the kids a better sense of their faith, so they could experience the actual places in the Bible,” David Fischer said. “When we say a family rosary now, we have a visual picture of where that mystery took place. It makes it more real for all of us.”

Emily Fischer, who just turned 13, agrees. She said that even though floating in the Dead Sea was the coolest thing she did in the Holy Land, her experience in the Garden of Gethsemane was more powerful.

“We had Mass near the rock where Jesus sweated blood and saw the olive trees,” she said of the ancient trees, which could be more than 2,000 years old.

“It was amazing to be where Jesus was and to see how he lived and experience the heat and rocks and everything,” she added. “Now when I read the Bible, I have a picture in my mind of where it actually happened.”

Patrick Novecosky is Legatus Magazine’s editor.