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

~~~~~~~

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.

O Spring

Hope springs eternal

And Spring comes to those who hope

And roses will bloom

There’s one certainty

Whether sunshine or in rain

It’s always welcomed

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

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

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.

Holy Is His Name

From the Church of the Nativity, Bethlemem

~~~~~~~

Holy Child of God

Held gently by his mother

Heaven came to earth

Earth behold the Child

The Word made flesh among us

Tender is the night

~~~~~~~

It should be said that my visit to the Church of the Nativity this week has left me without words to describe this place of beauty.  To be where the Christ child was born, held tenderly by his mother and know as a mother what concerns she had about his growing up touched me deeply.  The mother of our Savior suffered exile, hardship, and witnessed the terrible death of her Son.  A true woman of courage.  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

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

Caesarea Maritima, City of Herod the Great

“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

A beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea

Herod the Great acquired the site of this former Phoenician naval harbor in 30 BC.  He built a palace, hippodrome and coliseum.  As I understand it he was also the first to use concrete for the first time to  build underwater breakwaters.  It's an interesting place to visit and a testament to what can be built when you have the money to do so.  This site was dedicated in honor of his patron Caesar Augustus.

A tour of the Holy Land is a magnificent experience.  It is difficult to tell you all I've seen in the last 4 days.  There is so much history, religious and secular, that I'm not surprised there have been so many books written about it.  There will be ore later!  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

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

Sorrowful Journey Haiku

Jesus meets his mother

The Way of the Cross

St Mary-of-the Woods, IN

The way of sorrow

A journey long and painful

The Savior consoles

Tenderness and love

Through all the tears and anguish

He always prevails

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

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

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