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

div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

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.

Quiet Stroll Haiku

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN

Time with Providence

A gentle walk in the Woods

Stroll with the Master

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

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

Memory of a Short Visit to Lisbon

“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

I

Jerónimos Monastery

Lisbon, Portugal

We were only in Lisbon for a few hours before we left for Fatima.  But while we were there we were able to see some very memorable sites.  The monument to Henry the Navigator was incredible.  We were able to tour the Church of Santa Maria that is part of Jeronimos Monastery.  The view of the city was inspiring.  I do love history and Portugal's is most interesting.

Relief of Henry the Navigator Monument

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

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

Waiting on the Tarmac

Liberty International Airport

Newark, NJ

Airplanes are waiting

With New York City skyline

Resting on tarmac

Eager to fly high

Oh, the anticipation

Waiting to begin

~~~~~~~

In 10 short days the journey to the Holy Land begins and again we'll be flying through Newark.  You can see the skyline of New York City and the Statue of Liberty from there and it is most impressive.  I have to quell my enthusiasm for this trip.  I still have to WAIT!  I am grateful for the gift of travel and for this opportunity to yet again be a pilgrim.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

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

From the Creator's Palate

Sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Parks

Today I found this wonderful post and so I'm linking to it.  It's Our World Tuesday.  Please enjoy!  I have!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Seeking Peace

When we have once placed ourselves entirely in the hands of God, we need fear no evil.  If adversity comes, he knows how to turn it to our advantage by means which will in time be made clear to us.

~~St. Vincent de Paul

~~~~~~~

So why do I allow anxiety to rule my life?  Only God knows!!  And again I start over.  I must keep try seeking the peace offered by my Savior.

~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Riches of Rome, The Pantheon

The Pantheon is a magnificent church.  Once a pagan temple, now a beautiful place of Christian worship.  Built around AD 110 it is another Roman treasure.

Marble, black and rose

Marble cold in gray and green

Velvety beauty

Standing in the round

This stunning ancient beauty

It leaves me in awe

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

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

Romantic Sea Coast

Amalfi coast, Italy

Beautiful blue bay

Glorious coastal mountains

Romantic vistas

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

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

Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

Nearly a year ago Ron and I made a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes with some wonderful stops along the way.  We traveled from Portugal through Spain to Lourdes in France and back to Spain before we journeyed home again.  It was a treasured journey.  

Our first stop was at Fatima and though it was cold and rainy the beauty of this place is just indescribable!  There is so much to see and such a quiet place in which I could contemplate.  There was no stress of crowds as we were there two months before the beginning of the centennial. 

Another stop along the way was a stop by Avila.  It was amazing to walk the streets of this medieval fortress town that was also the home of St. Teresa of Avila and where she and St. John of the Cross collaborated. 

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes

Our days at Lourdes were also quiet and reflective.  A quaint town where this peasant girl was blessed by a visit by the Blessed Virgin. We did a candlelight procession praying the rosary.  Unforgettable for me was praying the Way of the Cross.  

 I was and still am in awe of these Holy Places.  And my admiration for the courage of the Saints who have walked here is a wonderful reminder that I. too, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. can strive toward holiness. as well.  There is nothing I can say that can compare to the experience you will have if you are privileged to travel there.  

And now with only 4 weeks until we leave for the Holy Land I have to say I am very excited.  We arrive on Ash Wednesday and I cannot think of a better way to begin Lent and my journey to the holiest day of the year, the day of Our Lord's resurrection.

~~~^J^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Memories of Camp St Malo

The Chapel on the Rock

(Officially St. Catherine of Siena Chapel)

Allenpark, Colorado

Early Fall Ron and I took our annual trip to the "promised land" in Colorado.  With the  companionship of our family we went to places we hadn't gone in years.  One of those places was Camp St. Malo.  It's a beautiful place, quiet, tranquil and so close to heaven.  

When I was a kid we'd have an annual trek to the camp for a family picnic.  Dad, who as a kid himself had gone to camp here would revel in the memories of the times he had here.  I just remember those wonderful meals with Dad, Mom, my sister, brothers and the Aunts and Pat.  (Aunt Mary's potato salad was amazing.)

Then, too, I was reminded that Pope Saint John Paul II came here for quiet time when he was there in 1993. 

DENVER — With rosary beads, a new pair of white sneakers with yellow laces and a book of poetry, a beaming Pope John Paul II strode high into the Rocky Mountains on Friday for a rare day off.
The break in the Pope's visit to his church's World Youth Day ceremonies here was uncharacteristic, but it was long planned at the suggestion of Denver Archbishop J. Francis Stafford.
On a warm cloudy day, John Paul--who has a lifelong love for the outdoors and for mountains in particular--walked in his white cassock at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet near Estes Park north of Denver.
"He hiked, and therefore rested. He prayed and he read. I think he was very, very happy," said papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro, who accompanied the Pope on a two-hour walk before lunch. John Paul donned the size 11 sneakers that were a gift from local children, who also provided a blue warm-up jacket and a walking stick. (Los Angeles Times)

I treasure the moments I've had in MY promised land.  So I begin preparation for our journey to the Holy Land in February.  Unlike most trips I prepare for there is more to do than just pack the suitcases and make sure I have the tickets and passports.  I want to travel with a real purpose.   Walking in the footsteps of our Lord.  And so my preparation has begun by rereading Father James Martin's book, Jesus: A Pilgrimage.

~~~^j^~~~

And so my preparation begins.

Cathy