Capharnaum, the Town of Jesus

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

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When Jesus began his ministry he chose Capharnaum (Capernaum) as his home.  He would set out from here on his journeys healing and teaching around the Sea of Galilee.  It is here that he taught in the synagogue.

The went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.  The people were amazed at his teaching because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.  (Mark 1: 21-22)

Synagogue

Dated to the 5th century

. . .the synagogue, [is] dated to the fifth century AD by the coins and pottery found at the floor level of its wall. . .Many scholars agree that this synagogue stands on top of a basalt synagogue that goes back to the first century AD. It is almost certain that this earlier synagogue was the very synagogue that Jesus and his followers attended and the one where our Lord spoke about himself as the bread of life (John 6:59).    Come and See: A Catholic Guide to the Holy Land, by Rev. Charles Samson, SSL

Ruins of the City

The Church of Saint Peter

The Church of Saint Peter in Capharnaum is built over Saint Peter's home in such a way that the ruins are still visible.  It was remarkable.

On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.  Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a fever.  They immediately told him about her.  He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.  Then the fever left her and she waited on them. (Mark 1: 29-31)

It was amazing to walk where Peter lived.  The town where he and his family lived and walked the streets and worshiped together.  Oh, the wonder of it all!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, and Our World Tuesday.

Mount of Beatitudes on the Sea of Galilee

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

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View of the Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes

Church of the Beatitudes

The Church of the Beatitudes is located on a small hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 5:1-12.  This hill has been a destination for pilgrims since the 4th century.  The church was built between 1936 and 1938 over the ruins of a Byzantine church. 

 Mass that day was celebrated outside overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  It was windy and I couldn't help but wonder if it were windy the day our Lord was teaching.

The Sea of Galilee

Our boat tour of the Sea of Galilee was uneventful but it's beauty is incomparable.  You can see from the flags that the wind had not subsided after our visit to The Mount.  Just imagine all the fisherman casting their nets hoping for a good catch.  Then imagine Peter and Andrew tending their nets when Jesus calls them by name.  Then, too, he sees James and his brother John, offered the invitation and they too left their nets and followed him.  (Matthew 4: 18-24).  I have been called by name, I must follow.  It's not an easy journey, but trusting in the Master these men followed, so I must follow too.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, and Our World Tuesday.

Mount Carmel

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

There is so much to learn about every place you visit in the Holy Land.  And just when you think you know there's nothing else to learn you learn something else.  Mount Carmel was that way for me.  I thought it was only a holy site because it was where the Carmelite order was begun in the twelfth century.  Well there is so much more.  More that I can write here.  So I challenge you to learn what you can on your own.

In Hebrew Mount Carmel means God's vineyard and in Arabic Mount Saint Elijah.  In the book of Joshua Asher's land allotment reaches to Carmel on the West.  During the reign of Ahab Elijah challenges the prophets off Baal and calls down fire to consume the sacrifice. . .Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and prayed seven times this clouds appeared bringing rain.

Elijah's Cave

Church of Stella Maris

Shortly after the creation of the Carmelite Order in the twelfth century a monastery was built on the mount with a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Star of the Sea.  It is a beautiful church.  We were privileged to celebrate Mass in the chapel there.

Chapel of Stella Maris

Finally, in twentieth century the Bah'is Faith built a Shrine to the Bab (mausoleum).  It was begun in 1901 and was completed in 1953,  It is beautiful to see and was called The Hanging Gardens by our guide.

I think that's enough for today.  There is so much more to share and I'm excited to do so, but I'm still trying to assimilate all the information I was given.  It will be easier to share if I do.  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, Our World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Sojourn to the Holy Land

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson

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Sanctuary of Our lady of Fatima

 Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Nearly a year ago we were on pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and Lourdes.  I didn't think I could be more excited about a trip than I was for that one, but I was wrong.  I'm really excited about this sojourn.

I'm nearly organized.  Getting things together I want to be sure we take with us.  You know, the passport, tickets, tour book, lenten reading and, of course, the knitting.  These are LONG flights and this is a way to relax.  Then, our kids surprised  us with the most beautiful prayer shawl and yarmulke for our trip to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  Oh my, yes I am excited.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel Tuesday, Our World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

On the Rock, Mont Saint-Michel

Panorama from the heights of Mont Saint-Michel

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Looking toward the monastery from the cemetery. 

There are 300 steps to the abbey.

The Cloister

The tide is out.

And, oh, so many doors.  They were all very different and all works of art in their own right.  I can only imagine how many hours it took to build a door without power tools.  The sweet beauty of them all created by hands that loved and caressed the wood.  And what is behind each door, a laundry, small chapel, a monk's cell?  They are treasures all.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 I'm here to play and invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  Should be fun!

Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel

 Normandy, France

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I will build my church

For praise and glory to God

Redeemer be praised. 

Salvation is ours

Through death and resurrection

Of Jesus, the Christ.

And the rock still stands

Forever in praise of God

Holy is his name. 

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Mont Saint-Michel took my breath away.  It is incredible!  I walked the streets, climbed the stairs to the abbey.  It is another masterpiece, created to the glory of God.  When you stand on the parapets, you cannot help but be touched by the immensity of the undertaking.  And immediately I recalled the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:13-18.

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Phillipi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the Prophets.  "He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"  Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah,  for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father."  And so I say to you, You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it.

~~~^j^~~~

And so I heartily say,

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Finally, I am joining A Soulful Life for Soulfood Friday

A Weekend Pilgrimage

God's glory appears in Bardstown, Kentucky

We had a glorious weekend in Kentucky.  Sister Therese, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, told us that this area is called the Promised Land of Kentucky.  

The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani 

The Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani is a monastery part of the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Order, also known as, the Trappists.  Founded in December, 1848 it was raised to Abbey in 1851.  Gethsemani is considered the mother house of all Trappists and Trappistine monasteries in the United States.  It is the oldest monastery in the United States still in operation.  It was home to Thomas Merton from 1941 until his death in 1968.

 Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral

 Bardstown Kentucky 

The cornerstone of Saint Joseph by Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget in 1816.  In 1775, Catholic settlers, mostly of English and Irish descent began emigrating chiefly from Maryland to Kentucky, an outpost of the crown colony of Virginia.  The first missionaries came around 1787.  In 1808 the four new Catholic diocese created at the request of Bishop Carroll of Baltimore, included Bardstown along with New York and Philadelphia.  The new diocese of Bardsowon covered almost the entire Northwest Territory, south to New Orleans and as far north as Detroit.  

The Cathedral was consecrated in 1819.  When the Episcopal See was moved forty miles away to the fast growing city of Louisville in 1841, Saint Joseph's because a parish church, hence the title "proto-cathedral."  In 1995 Bardstown was named a Titular see by the Vatican for ints contributions to the Catholic Church heritage in America.

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were founded in 1812.  Mother Catherine Spaulding, along with Bishop John Baptist David, are honored together and remembered as co-founders of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.  

The New community followed the rule of Saint Vincent de Paul and their dwelling was named Nazareth.  They serve in 20 states in the United States, in India, Nepal, Botswana, and Belize.

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It was a grand weekend all round.  The weather was good and we even toured Makers Mark distillery.  There are many on what's know as the Bourbon Trail.  But, that is for another day.  And you can read much more about these grand places by going to their webpages. 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

I'm here to play and invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  Should be fun!

Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!