Ministry of Pilgrimages

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About Our Ministry

 

Bishop Oscar Cantu uses prayer time at Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives

Mission

The Ministry of Pilgrimages is a means for the faithful to travel and offer prayer, acts of charity, and solidarity with the universal church.

What Is A Pilgrimage?

A religious tour? A spiritual vacation? Not quite. Click to learn more!

History

How did God lead us to start a Ministry of Pilgrimages? It all started with two free tickets to anywhere in the world... (Click here to read the story.)

 

 

 

 

Why Our Pilgrimages Are Unique

  • We are a non-profit Ministry of Pilgrimages, not a travel agency or business. Our bottom line and focus is always The Lord, not the money to be made.
  • Group sizes are kept small (30-40 persons) so each individual pilgrim can have the maximum experience.
  • Pilgrims meet two or three times in advance of travel for preparation, familiarity and prayer.
  • We experience the holy sites; we don't rush through them. Time for prayer and reflection is very important.
  • We have daily Mass at a holy site, as well as spiritual reflection and teachings throughout each day.
  • We participate in Catholic devotions such as the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and Divine Mercy Chaplet.
  • Most group trips to the Holy Land do not employ Christian guides; Christians are only 200 out of the 9000 total licensed Holy Land guides. Especially in the Holy Land, we employ Christian guides and patronize Christian hotels, restaurants, and shops as an act of solidarity and to support them.
  • When possible, we arrange a private audience with the Latin Patriarch or his auxiliary bishop.
  • We meet with the local Palestinian Christians (members of our Mother Church) to hear their story, and celebrate Mass with a local parish when possible.
  • Because we have been to the Holy Land over 40 times in the last 25 years, we've developed strong relationships with the local people that make it possible for us to have special and unique experiences.
  • Besides having an exceptionally spiritual experience, we include recreation and fellowship for a great time.
  • Each of our pilgrims receives a customized Pilgrim Book which includes prayers, schedule, maps, Scripture references, historical and biblical facts, and other information related to each holy site. (Many pilgrims continue to use this book as a journal and prayer tool after their pilgrimage.)

 

Christian guide Rula Shubeita speaks to our group on the Mount of Olives

Obedience to the Magisterium

Our pilgrimages follow the pilgrimage directives given by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and guidance we have personally received from bishops of the Latin Patriarchate (Jerusalem Diocese). Specific examples of our following these guidelines include:

  1. Prayer: Daily Mass, devotions, meditation, Scripture reflections, and prayer for peace & justice in the Holy Land. Renewal of baptismal vows at the Jordan River and marriage vows at Cana are some of our favorite practices, as well.
  2. Solidarity with the local Christians (Mother Church): Visiting a local Catholic institution or parish, meeting and listening to the stories of local Christians
  3. Patronizing local Christian guides
  4. Patronizing Christian-owned businesses: Such business contributes to the economic development of Arab Christian communities and helps retain the threatened Catholic presence in the Holy Land
  5. Meet with Franciscans (custodians of the Holy Land)
  6. Educating each pilgrim about the injustices and struggles in the Holy Land, particularly the lived experience of local Christians
  7. Interreligious ties: Meeting local people of non-Christian faiths; visiting Catholic Relief Services project sites including Muslim women's group in Bethlehem; visiting the Western / Wailing Wall; occasional dialogue with interfaith panel and pilgrims