Israel 2019 – Where I’ve Prayed

This pilgrimage took place between November 9-13, 2019.

As you may know, I write down collected prayer intentions in a little blue notebook when I go on pilgrimages. It’s nice to have something tangible other than my iPhone when at different sites praying for others. You can read more here.

For this Israel 2019 pilgrimage, here’s where I’ve prayed with these prayer intentions so far, in chronological order.

Madrid

Catedral de Almudena

It was a struggle getting to this cathedral due to my subway adventures. Read more here.

Bethlehem

Church of the Nativity

The Church of the Nativity contains the spot where Jesus was born. I prayed right at that spot, pictured, and even touched the notebook to it.

And just a few steps away is the location of the manger. I prayed there too.

The circumstances getting here were crazy, resulting in fast tracking our way to the bottom level for the spot and manger locations.

Milk Grotto

Near the Church of the Nativity is the chapel of the Milk Grotto.

Supposedly this is a spot where the Virgin Mary nursed Jesus and a few drops of her milk fell to the ground.

This place has a lot of associated miracles for infertile couples who visit here. And while I did pray for everyone here, I most especially did so for my friends who I know struggle with infertility.

More info about the trip to Bethlehem here.

Jerusalem

Birth Place of the Virgin Mary

When we entered Old Jerusalem through the Lion Gate and Muslim Quarter, we saw off the main pathway this building labeled as the Virgin Mary’s birth place. I guess this is where St. Anne and St. Joachim, her parents, lived.

I said a quick prayer here since we were pressed for time.

Via Dolorosa

The pathway connecting the different events of Jesus’ Passion is known as the Via Dolorosa. Catholic devotees know this as the Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross).

In Jerusalem, the different stations are marked by Roman numerals and now also bronze depictions.

We started at Station I and kept going as went on our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

This was hectic and crowded, making it hard to pray. But I tried doing some reflection at each station and praying for the intentions I carried with me.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This is an insane church because it is literally a church that encompasses where Jesus was executed and buried.

I prayed at multiple places.

Chapel of the Apparition

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains a lot of chapels owned by different Christian groups. The Chapel of the Apparition is a Roman Catholic chapel honoring a tradition that Jesus appeared to His mother after the resurrection.

I prayed here while waiting for Mass. Also, the column in the niche on the right of the altar is said to be part of the column Jesus was tied to during His scourging.

The Holy Sepulchre

This is Jesus’ tomb. I wasn’t able to go inside because of long lines, and it almost being closing time.

But I still took a moment to pray for these intentions in front of the Sepulchre.

Anointing Slab

In Jewish custom, the body is prepared and anointed before burial. The slab that Jesus’ body was on for anointing is easily accessible for pilgrims, and I prayed here too. I even touched my notebook to the slab.

Golgotha

The hilltop where the three crosses were is also within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At the time I went, a Greek Orthodox group of men started evening prayers in the chapel.

While I couldn’t get too close to the monument and altar where the crosses stood, I at least was able to pray in the back.

Wailing Wall

The Wailing Wall is one of the last remaining walls of the Jewish Temple, and many Jews make a pilgrimage here to pray.

I did the same… but moreso for the prayer intentions I carried with me.

Yes, I did go up and touched the actual wall. Couldn’t take pictures there though out of respect.

I visited Jerusalem after visiting Bethlehem, and it made for a crazy day. Read more here.

Mount Tabor

At the top of Mt. Tabor is the Church of the Transfiguration, which commemorates the Transfiguration of Christ where He led Peter, James, and John up Mt. Tabor to reveal Himself in this way. And Moses and Elijah too.

Prayed here, too.

Nazareth

In Nazareth, pilgrims can visit the Church of the Annunciation, which is built on the location of where the archangel, Gabriel, announced that Mary will conceive Jesus.

So far, this was the most moving site for me. I think it is largely because at the time that I was in this church, my hosts and I were one of the only few people inside this space at the time. It created a conducive environment to really reflect on the fact that Jesus became flesh and blood here in this spot. I spent a longer time praying here, especially for your intentions.

Capernaum

Billed as the town of Jesus, Capernaum is where Jesus spent a lot of time. It is located at the north end of the Sea of Galilee, and it is also the hometown of St. Peter.

Sea of Galilee

Capernaum has a nice view of the Sea. And we arrived there with the sun going down. A really peaceful and beautiful time to pray, especially for the intentions I carried with me.

The Synagogue of Capernaum

Almost right next to St. Peter’s house, the synagogue where Jesus did a lot of preaching still stands as ruins. One of my fav ones is the Bread of Life discourse in John 6.

Knowing that made this brief time of prayer extra special.

Today’s adventures in the northern part of Israel can be read about here.

Haifa

Stella Maris Monastery

With the jihadists firing multiple salvos of missiles in southern Israel, some plans to visit southern areas of Israel were obviously not carried out. Instead, we headed up north. After spending some time in Caesarea, we finished out the day in Haifa at the Stella Maris Monastery.

This monastery is built on top of the cave where Elijah hid while out in the wilderness. I recently read that there’s another cave on Mt. Carmel nearby that’s also purportedly the cave.

Either way…I prayed in the church in monastery for the prayer intentions I carried with me.

Read more about today’s adventures here.

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