Mrs. Rivera's Holy Land Pilgrimage March 2019
As of June 16, 2019 this Holy Land website has moved to tinyurl.com/LeoandEdHolyLand
As of June 16, 2019 this Holy Land website has moved to tinyurl.com/LeoandEdHolyLand
Key message: The Bible is real. I saw it with my own eyes.
Key message: The Bible is real. I saw it with my own eyes.
(See the tab subpages for videos, picture, website and more information) This a TEXT ONLY summary page
Mrs. Rivera's Top 20 Holy Land Experiences:
Mrs. Rivera's Top 20 Holy Land Experiences:
1. 5 AM Mass IN the Holy Sepulcher tomb. I touched where Christ’s body had laid.
1. 5 AM Mass IN the Holy Sepulcher tomb. I touched where Christ’s body had laid.
2. Via Dolorosa Stations of the Cross walking through Old Jerusalem singing "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"
2. Via Dolorosa Stations of the Cross walking through Old Jerusalem singing "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"
3. Renewed marriage vows at Cana - surprise Ave Maria played - a sign from my mom in heaven. If couples "have no wine" Jesus can help them make wine.
3. Renewed marriage vows at Cana - surprise Ave Maria played - a sign from my mom in heaven. If couples "have no wine" Jesus can help them make wine.
4. Sailed on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of the Jesus Boat- "I will make you fishers of men."
4. Sailed on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of the Jesus Boat- "I will make you fishers of men."
5. City of David - 2 hr tour with an archaeologist through huge & narrow caverns deep in the earth discovering ancient clay seals and more.
5. City of David - 2 hr tour with an archaeologist through huge & narrow caverns deep in the earth discovering ancient clay seals and more.
6. Touched the Nativity Star that marks the place where Jesus was born.
6. Touched the Nativity Star that marks the place where Jesus was born.
7. Renewed baptism at the Jordan River - our sons are named after the river & John(Sean)the Baptist
7. Renewed baptism at the Jordan River - our sons are named after the river & John(Sean)the Baptist
8. Put prayers in the Wailing Wall- men on one side, women on the other
8. Put prayers in the Wailing Wall- men on one side, women on the other
9. Church of the Annunciation -extraordinary Mary images from all over the world
9. Church of the Annunciation -extraordinary Mary images from all over the world
10. Gethsemane Garden & the Basilica of the Agony -Ancient Olive Trees & Rock Jesus Prayed On
10. Gethsemane Garden & the Basilica of the Agony -Ancient Olive Trees & Rock Jesus Prayed On
11. Dead Sea swim, discovery of the scrolls &an unexpected connection to John Baptist
11. Dead Sea swim, discovery of the scrolls &an unexpected connection to John Baptist
12. Pater Noster Church - multilingual Our Fathers
12. Pater Noster Church - multilingual Our Fathers
13. Touched Calvary where Jesus died on the cross
13. Touched Calvary where Jesus died on the cross
14. Mt. of Temptation in the desolate Jericho desert
14. Mt. of Temptation in the desolate Jericho desert
15. Miracle of Fishes and Loaves feeding 5,000+
15. Miracle of Fishes and Loaves feeding 5,000+
16.Church where Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus & Mary/Martha story
16.Church where Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus & Mary/Martha story
17. Widow's son raised from the dead by Jesus- Church at Nain -foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and his realization that his mom would soon be a lonely widow
17. Widow's son raised from the dead by Jesus- Church at Nain -foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and his realization that his mom would soon be a lonely widow
18. Church of the Transfiguration high on Mt. Tabor with chapels for Moses and Elijah. A steep climb.
18. Church of the Transfiguration high on Mt. Tabor with chapels for Moses and Elijah. A steep climb.
19. Chapel of Ascension where Jesus said goodbye and ascended to heaven
19. Chapel of Ascension where Jesus said goodbye and ascended to heaven
20. Challenging Hike- a locked gate-swarm of bees- to get to-St. John of Desert Church for mass
20. Challenging Hike- a locked gate-swarm of bees- to get to-St. John of Desert Church for mass
Daily Masses with locations, homilies & readings that made the Bible come alive! I was in the Gospel!
Daily Masses with locations, homilies & readings that made the Bible come alive! I was in the Gospel!
See tabs under Holy Land to see YouTube videos, pictures, the Pilgrim's Prayer we prayed each day, the list of 16 sacred sites I collected Holy Water from so I could bless my family and friends in Christ, detailed itinerary and the Custodia Terre Santae tab with info about the Franciscans caring for the 21 Holy Land sites for the last 800 years.
See tabs under Holy Land to see YouTube videos, pictures, the Pilgrim's Prayer we prayed each day, the list of 16 sacred sites I collected Holy Water from so I could bless my family and friends in Christ, detailed itinerary and the Custodia Terre Santae tab with info about the Franciscans caring for the 21 Holy Land sites for the last 800 years.
I faced many of my fears (claustrophobia, heights, crowds, stairs & steep inclines with a bad knee and even a swarm of bees). I did things I did not think I could do physically, mentally and spiritually. God's presence & love was so powerful and so overwhelming that my heart raced and I cried not usually with sadness but with disbelief that I was blessed to be there. Jesus made my heart race and took my breath away. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, be calm and not be afraid. In my mind I kept hearing, "Do not be afraid", "Trust me", "I am here" and "You are loved"
I faced many of my fears (claustrophobia, heights, crowds, stairs & steep inclines with a bad knee and even a swarm of bees). I did things I did not think I could do physically, mentally and spiritually. God's presence & love was so powerful and so overwhelming that my heart raced and I cried not usually with sadness but with disbelief that I was blessed to be there. Jesus made my heart race and took my breath away. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe, be calm and not be afraid. In my mind I kept hearing, "Do not be afraid", "Trust me", "I am here" and "You are loved"
Our Franciscan Spiritual Director, Fr. Ben, gave us all headsets so he could guide us, keep us safe and make the Scripture come alive as we followed in the footsteps of Jesus. He was like the Good Shepherd and we were the sheep. He modeled Christ with his deep faith, patience, gentleness and joyfulness. Just the way he was challenged me to not complain about difficult hikes and dense crowds. Seeing him and hearing his teachings helped me focus on where I was and why I was in the Holy Land. I was there to walk in Christ's footsteps and bring Him back to you.
Our Franciscan Spiritual Director, Fr. Ben, gave us all headsets so he could guide us, keep us safe and make the Scripture come alive as we followed in the footsteps of Jesus. He was like the Good Shepherd and we were the sheep. He modeled Christ with his deep faith, patience, gentleness and joyfulness. Just the way he was challenged me to not complain about difficult hikes and dense crowds. Seeing him and hearing his teachings helped me focus on where I was and why I was in the Holy Land. I was there to walk in Christ's footsteps and bring Him back to you.