Ecce Homo - Jo,s Sojourn in Holy Land

Arch - Ecce Homo, Via Dolorosa, (the dark dome)
Church of the Condemnation & Imposition of the Cross - white domes (right)

Arch - Ecce Homo, Via DolorosaFrom: Donald ...

Subject: Fw: Holy Land 1st 2nd 3rd Chronicle
To: "Jo... "
Date: Thursday, 28 March, 2013, 20:06

Holy Thursday. Chapel of Repose. ...

Dear Jo,     

Thank you , keeping us to follow up with your Sabbatical Holy Land travels.

I am thrilled to trace your pathway remebering the loved for holy places.

You are not distracted by the usual IT technology, 

Chapel of Repose, Nunraw Abbey

In fact it is possible now to download pictures from everywhere.

Let me check, if easily 

Your .....

Donald.

http://www.domdonald.org.uk 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jo ...
Sent: Monday, 11 March 2013, 13:20
Subject: Holy Land

Dear N... and all,                   Peace from Jerusalem! Having had a wonderful first week here in Jerusalem, I am repacking my cases to move to Ecce Homo tomorrow afternoon. My good angel, Sr. Emmanuella,and I have managed to see a lot of the holy sites in the Old City and I begin to know my way around.

On Sunday, I went alone to the 8.30am Laudes and Solemn High Mass at the Holy Sepulchre which was a lovely experience but hard to describe in a few words! The Coptics and others were worshipping nearby so it was "pandemonium" but,after a while,the voices seemed to blend and it became more like singing in tongues.Praise the Lord! Entry of  Holy Sepulchre    The 4 Srs.from Bethlehem made a quick visit here yesterday and invited me to stay with them sometime. Sr. Maria G. sends her love to the Srs.she knows. Christina got through to me on Skype this morning and I heard her speak a few sentences.However, we could not see each other and my speech was jumbled and we were soon cut off - the usual story!! I hope that all keep well and have a truly blessed Easter. I will try to keep in touch from Ecce Homo. Much love to each and all, Jo.  ...

                                                            

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jo ...
Sent: Sunday, 17 March 2013, 16:21
Subject: Ecce Homo-15th,16th

Dear N... and all, Today the site is a museum that teaches about the history of Jerusalem's Old City.These are some of the largest fortifications in Jerusalem and the tower itself is higher than the Temple Mount.    What have we been up to these last few days?

Friday 15th:  8.30 am saw us off to David's Citadel and up, many many steps, we went to the top ramparts from which we had a spectacular view of the whole of the Old City. The young guide pointed out all the important holy places and explained the history and geography of Jerusalem as we made our way down the different floors and studied the various exhibits. Very interesting! In the afternoon, it was back to the classroom for the next two lectures on the Book of Exodus. It was good to sit down and rest the weary legs and enjoy Fr. Walter who has a good sense of humour! Jewish families invite us to join them for their "Shabbat Meal" on Friday evenings.This is an arrangement by an organization promoting Jewish and christian friendship. Heinz, an Australian religious teacher, and I set off by taxi for our host family- an elderly couple and son whose warm welcome made us immediately feel at home.I had felt a bit apprehensive but there was no need! After chatting for a while the husband explained what they usually do and then proceeded to read from Proverbs on" the virtuous woman" in appreciation of his wife. Before the meal, they sang a long prayer, a bit longer than our usual Grace!! We drank some wine and then had a delicious meal served by the woman and helped by her husband. It was all very natural and relaxed with plenty of conversation about our lives,Judaism, etc. They sang a long prayer at the end followed by Psalm 126 and Heinz and I read the same psalm in English from his i pod. Mobile phones can be very useful!!! It really was a delightful experience! May God bless them. Sat. 16th ; This was a sit-down day as we had two lectures (1 hour each) in the morning and the afternoon. However, at 6 pm, we walked over to the Western (Wailing) Wall for the end of the Jewish Sabbath. It is always uplifting to see so many people praying with such earnestness. It is another story at 4.15am when the Muslims blare out their call to prayer!! The others tell me about it but I have yet to hear it !!! God bless and much love to all, Jo.        Ecce Homo Scripture Course, year of 2003/4 Donald (Scot), Emma (Philippines), Auxilia (India), members in class. ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Jo ... Sent: Wednesday, 27 March 2013, 18:37 Subject: Ecce Homo cont. Dear N... and all, It's Wed. of holy week and already we are practising singing,etc. for the ceremonies. March 19th....We started the day with two interesting lectures on PASSOVER JUDAISM                     by a Jewish lady and at 11.30 we departed for BETHLEHEM.

Our first stop was THE SHEPHERD'S FIELD. In this Franciscan enclosure is a large cave and above it is a small chapel in the shape of a star. At one side is an alcove where animals would be kept in winter and in such would Jesus have been born.

Our second stop was The CHURCH of the NATIVITY, after a picnic lunch in Manger Sq. We entered the very low door and found a large queue waiting to visit the Grotto which is revered as the birth place of Jesus marked by a large star which pilgrims kiss.We finally got down the stairs only to find a guide rushing the pilgrims through so they had no time to pray!! When we got to the bottom step, he suddenly stopped us and a few minutes later an orthodox priest came through to incense the grotto! Then the guide started rushing us through again! I am very glad that I am going back again but it was disappointing for the others.

After a time for shopping, our bus took us to Chapel of the Divine Child BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY (run by the De la Salle Brs) where we had a grand tour, watched a video about the university,admired their beautiful Chapel and then had a discussion with several of the Palestian students. They were lovely young people and they shared with us their difficulties and hopes. We were surprised to hear that 76% of the students are girls. Wed. 20th.....In the morning, we had three further lectures on "EXODUS" and in the afternoon on "JEWISH CHRISTIAN RELATIONS TODAY"  from THE DOCUMENTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by one of the Sion Srs. In the evening, there was another excursion through another famous tunnel but I decided to give it a miss and rest.  Obama arrived so roads were blocked off and traffic disrupted for a few days. That is all for now. Have a WONDERFUL EASTER! Much love and union in prayer, Jo.