More than 100 Irish pilgrims recently completed a spiritual journey to the Holy Land organised by The Irish Catholic. The special Christian Solidarity Pilgrimage saw people from all over Ireland make their way to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Both groups, one led by Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown and the other by Wexford-based Fr John Carroll, visited Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Many pilgrims described the trip – which was also accompanied by Managing Editor of The Irish Catholic, Michael Kelly – as unforgettable. Pilgrims outlined different highlights of the pilgrimage; for many it was the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem while others said it was the boat trip on the Sea of Galilee that brought the scriptures alive for them.
The pilgrimage uts special focus on solidarity with the tiny Christian community that call the Holy Land home. Pilgrims were able to meet with local Christians in Bethlehem and in Taybeh, the last all-Christian village in the West Bank.
If you would like to participate in next year’s pilgrimage Make 2020 a year to go to the Holy Land for more information.