Ministry of Pilgrimages
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Pilgrim Testimonies
Healed in the Holy Land
Diana Sarfin journeyed to the Holy Land with us in 2010. Her son had been murdered six weeks before the pilgrimage began. She wrote this poem while in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and told us that she received profound healing during the pilgrimage.
Click here to read her poem.
Below: Letters from Past Pilgrims
Below, we have several letters that we'd like to share with you. Following each pilgrimage, we are always delighted to receive letters and cards from pilgrims, expressing how their pilgrimage has made a difference in their lives...
Now, I Read the Bible
I cannot tell you how much difference this trip has made in my life. I have told so many people about our trip and spoke very highly of (Mary Jane) and Tom. I have told all my friends and family about how knowledgeable you are.
In my opinion, the only way to go to the Holy Land is with the Pilgrim Center of Hope. The Holy Spirit continues to touch me.
I will be truthful with you: before I went on this trip, I never used to read the Bible because I never understood it. After the first meeting with you, I started reading the Bible. I wanted to learn everything I could before the trip. The lecto divina which I learned from you makes it a lot easier. - Sylvia L.
Spoke to My Heart
Going to the Holy Land was an experience so beyond anything I have known and its gifts to me - by the grace of God - continue to be unveiled. This year, Advent and Christmas had an additional layer of meaning for me - having been in the land where Jesus walked and having rested my eyes one beautiful evening on the very hills where the shepherds were keeping their watch.
So many places spoke to my heart with their silent eloquence - from the Sea of Galilee to the Mount of Olives and beyond... But my heart goes back again and again to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the gift we had of touching those sites in the company of others in the universal Church whose hearts are also at home in that setting. What a gift to settle into that Old City of Jerusalem and being permitted to arise in the early dawn and visit those places where Our Lord lived His Passion...where He poured Himself out for us...
None of this could have unfolded in the way it did if it were not for your kindly "tending of our interesting flock" of pilgrims from all over. The way you expressed care for each soul in the group and the generous way you looked after our interests and the sincere desire you had that we would each experience the Holy Land in the way best suited to our spiritual needs of the moment - these are gifts that Holy Spirit has showered upon you and you in turn poured out on us.
I was impressed by all the friendships and relationships you have built over the years in that small but important piece of the globe. Clearly you have the respect and affection of so many! [...] Honestly, I can't imagine anyone doing a better job of guiding pilgrims to the Holy Land! - Eileen Love, ENDOW Editor & Trainer
Partners in Ministry
I just wanted to drop a note to tell you what a wonderful experience the pilgrimage was for me. It was truly a blessing to be with both of you and to share in the ministry of sacred journey. Moreover, I look forward to a continued collaboration with you all as we continue to pray and act in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. - Daniel Lizarraga, southwest regional director,
Catholic Relief Services
We Were Able To See More
Thank you for the most beautiful experience of a lifetime. It is through your prayer, enthusiasm, and attention to detail that the Holy Land comes to life. I know that because of your wealth of knowledge and contacts in the Holy Land we were able to learn and see more of the Holy Land.
You are indeed a true follower of Our Lord and it is reflected in your every word and action. Now that I am home, I am doing a lot of pondering on what I saw and heard. I am reading and rereading the material you provided. It is as if I was back there again by feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I am delighted to have experienced the Holy Land through your heart and eyes. I feel very privileged to have been a part of this pilgrimage. It has truly been a life changing experience. The season of Lent and Easter Sunday will never be the same since visiting the place where Our Lord died for us. As a matter of fact, nothing is the same since then; my entire life has taken on a new meaning. - Nora S.
What a Privilege
Our journey in the Holy Land was incredible due to your wisdom, guidance and spirituality. I am still in such awe of all the places we were privileged to see. You both are wonderful gifts to others and we were all so blessed to have you as our leaders and fellow pilgrims. - Letty
Deeper Relationship with Christ
How can I begin to thank you for leading me on a pilgrimage of profound hope? Not only was I able to see firsthand where Jesus lived, died and rose, but I also experienced a deepening of my relationship with Him and His Blessed Mother. You were such kind, patient, and wise guides! I am so grateful and hope that our new found friendship will continue to grow. May God bless you for all you do for the Church! - Arturo Chavez, Ph.D., President & CEO, Mexican American Catholic College
Worth the Money
I never thought it was going to be this way...I loved it.
It was worth the price. - Ludy
Re-Living the Mysteries of the Rosary
During the 3 1/2 months in the hospital, as I lay motionless in bed, all I could do was pray. So pray I did - many rosaries....and as I prayed the different mysteries, I mentally took myself to each of the places we visited during the Holy Land Pilgrimage. I would close my eyes and visualize the many beautiful sights. I could remember the scent coming from the stone where they prepared the body of Jesus, the walk to Calvary as we prayed the Stations of the Cross, the excitement of joy I still feel just remembering the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, the touch of the stone and the star where our Lord was born...I could just go on and on. I am so grateful for this trip and the gift of the experience to walk in our Lord's footsteps.
So now, I tell friends, family and anyone who will listen about my trip and encourage them to do the same if it be God's will. I am so excited and anxious to continue serving our Lord. - Sonia O.
Priest Closer to Christ
After 45 years as a priest, the scriptures came more alive. I want to learn more. The Sea of Galilee, Mt. of Beatitudes - all so beautiful. Spending two hours in the Garden of Gethsemani, eating the simple diet there - the foods Jesus would have eaten - helped me to connect with Jesus. It touched me deeply. It is going to help me dwell more in the Scriptures. - Fr. Donald
My Faith Became Rock-Solid
My husband and I recently went on pilgrimage conducted by the Pilgrim Center of Hope with Deacon Tom and Mary Jane Fox. Taking this trip had a profound effect on me that I neither anticipated nor expected.
I am a third-year theology student at Oblate School of Theology. I felt that I was pretty confident in my faith and I have a pretty good handle on what Catholicism is about.
Our particular pilgrimage included time with the Shroud of Turin. I experienced many emotions viewing this holy relic. First, I experienced the disgusting, pathetic sinfulness of mankind. I was so ashamed of us and our lust for power and money. I was embarrassed that my sinfulness had evidence...the blood on this cloth. My heart ached with remorse. And then something else happened. I felt a rush of joy. Like a loving friend, the good Lord lifted my chin and showed me the love and charity that it took for someone to accept this burden for me. I knew God's overwhelming love for me. If I accepted culpability for the death of Christ then I had to accept the Love also. I felt love in its purest sense and I was humbled again, but this time from being grateful.
Once I came home, I started to feel different about my faith. I felt this intense strength and confidence. I feel I am now rock solid in my faith. I believe I will never waiver. I believed before, but I guess my faith still had some mythical aspect to it. I am a scientist at heart, so I appreciate evidence and proof to verify claims. Seeing the Shroud gave me that that verification. Where I was a soft pliable ball of clay, I now feel that I have been fired in a kiln and I am a solid vessel to carry God in.
I am currently undertaking a teaching ministry and I feel ready, enthusiastic and eager to get started. I am rock solid as a Catholic and I am rock solid as a Christian. I credit this pilgrimage and seeing the holy relic for this newfound strength.God lovingly provided all, from The Pilgrim Center of Hope, The Foxes, the planning...all of it. I am certain that this experience was like a pebble in my life's pond and it will ripple for years. I am deeply grateful.
- Cindy E.
