Pilgrims share feedback about time in the Holy Land

Published: April 9, 2011

Tara Little

Father Josh Stengel, a diocesan priest who is studying in Jerusalem, hears the confession of a pilgrim in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives March 21. The pilgrims spent three hours in the garden, where they received the sacrament of reconciliation, prayed and reflected on Jesus' Agony in the Garden the night before his passion and crucifixion.

Tara Little

What has been the most important event or moment on the Holy Land trip?

"Actually, everywhere I went I thought it couldn't get any better! But, I think because we were away from the crowds and able to better focus, I found the Garden of Gethsemane to be very powerful. The time I spent there was very peaceful and prayerful."
Jan Brass, St. Anne, North Little Rock

The most important was "visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and meditating about how agonizing it must have been for Jesus as He contemplated the price He would have to pay to atone for our sins. The best moment "was experiencing the camaraderie and bonding of our green group as the Pilgrimage progressed. They were a happy, loving, caring group, always looking out for each other. One notable example of this was the way everyone worked together to assist the elderly and physically limited members to navigate the more difficult areas of the routes we traveled!"
Chesley and Pilar Nunley, St. Martin, Nashville

The most important was "the meditation period at the Garden of Gethsemane is where I had the time to seriously reflect on my spiritual life and how I can improve my communication with God."
Jerry Hanson, Christ the King, Little Rock

"There have been too many important moments on this trip to name just one. Being a pilgrim to the Holy Land, walking in the same footsteps of so many pilgrims throughout the centuries highlights/emphasizes for me the pilgrimage. We are all on to our eternal life. Hearing the stories of the Palestinian students, seeing the wall being erected has opened my eyes to see more clearly the Lord’s desire for our unity, rather than diversion."
Jeanne Manaugh, St. Monica, Edmond, Okla.

"Going to confession and being forgiven in the Garden of Gethsemane, I truly felt the presence of Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation. What a feeling of peace."
Lois Rooney, St. Mary, Paragould

"Garden of Gethsemane was spiritually uplifting."
Ron Rooney, St. Mary, Paragould

"The time of the Sea of Galilee has and always will be my favorite. Jesus’ presence is so strong he blesses me every time."
Duel Scroggins, Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock

"Lent is my favorite part of the religious calendar. To be in the Holy Land during this time 'experiencing’ the places where Jesus walked is priceless. I was able to absorb the information shared by Father Alex, Father Eric, Cackie and Bishop Taylor in the actual place where it happened. This made the Scripture turn real and not just a 'story." I’ve regained a personal relationship that I once held with Christ."
Estella Menchaca, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Seguin, Texas

"What better place to converse with the Lord than at the Garden of Gethsemane. That place will be with me forever."
Vangie Atkinson, St. Edward, Little Rock

"Most moving for me was the Garden of Gethsemane and the Rock of Agony. Sometimes in my life I’ve 'sweat blood’ over my addicted daughter and some of my children who are far from God. Bishop Taylor’s homily at the Holy Selpulcher made me weep."
Katie Gordy, St. Monice, Edmond, Okla.

"The moment that touched me most was kneeling to place my hand on the rock on which Jesus was standing when he ascended into heaven. It echoed my favorite Bible verse, 'Know that I am with you always until the end of the earth.’ (Matthew 28:30)"
Janice Vernon, St. Andrew, Yellville

"Being able to reverence the place where Jesus was born. The boat ride on the Galilee was unforgettable. The perfect storm."
Joanne Mustion, St. Andrew, Yellville

"To have been, touched and revered where Jesus traveled from birth to his death and resurrection."
Jim Neff, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home

"The aspect of being in Christ’s footsteps."
Carolyn Neff, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home

"Going to Bethlehem and seeing Our Lady of Fatima Parish."
Lorene Anderson, St. Michael, Van Buren

"Kneeling at the site of Jesus’ tomb, spreading my arms across it and kissing the stone, feeling the warmth of Jesus’ love about me."
Kevin Anderson, St. Michael, Van Buren

"I felt so blessed to hold the infant Jesus during Communion at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It was a great honor."
Mary Ann Pate, St. Edward, Texarkana

"We felt so blessed to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The Stations of the Cross were so beautiful and humbling."
Alvis and Mary Ann Pate, St. Edward, Texarkana

"The Sea of Galilee was awesome. Healing service was great along with the prayer sacks. Masses were great. Mount of Beatitudes was great. It was all great. Thank you. Sequencing was perfectly planned. Very well done. Greatly exceeded by expectations."
Sharon McCoy, St. Edward, Texarkana

"The morning Mass on the Sea of Galilee on the Mount of Beatitudes. Cackie singing 'Morning Has Broken.' The boat trip in the sea."
Antoinette Peters, St. Edward, Texarkana

"Just to get to set foot in the Holy Land, I never thought that I would get a chance to go. All of the places were important, but I guess the most inspiring is where Christ died and arose from the dead."
Joe Bergman, St. Paul, Pocahontas

"The meditation time in the Garden. The private time allowed for closeness to Our Lord that can only be felt where you see, feel, hear and smell that that happened for us."
Nita Shaw, St. Jude, Jacksonville

"The most important event for me was reflection on my relationship with Christ and on my earthly life in the Garden of Gethsemane. The high point in this event was confession."
Winfred McKinnon, Immaculate Conception, North Little Rock

"We covered all the important places. The spiritual direction, reflections and Masses with song were great. My special thanks to Father Alex, Patty, Dawn, the bishop, Cackie, Malea and Father Eric. The guide Bassem and the driver Sam were great."
Elsy John, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Little Rock

"The most important event was to see the landscape of Galilee, the trees, the farm lands, the mountains, Irrigation methods enable the people to grow."
Lyle Stafford, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

"The time spent in meditation and confession in the Garden of Gethsemane was the most moving moment for me. I felt so close to Jesus that I felt his love for me."
Mary Ann Stafford, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

"Two really stand out -- the silent time in the Garden of Gethsemane and the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. The time in the Garden was long enough to allow real meditation. It was easy to see Jesus watching the band of soldiers with torches coming down from Caiphas’ house to the Mount of Olives (across the Kidron Valley) and going out to meet them to avoid a violent encounter. On the Sea of Galilee when it was the middle of the morning and we were a few miles out from shore, a storm came up and we were tossed about by the waves. While we didn’t see Jesus physically nor did anyone try walking on water, none of us will ever read Scripture about this scene again without remembering what a storm on the Sea of Galilee is like."
Sharon Robinette, Christ the King, Little Rock

"The wooden ship ride on the Galilee. When the storm hit, it was as if God was really with us."
Jan Hill, Christ the King, Little Rock

"The entire trip far exceeded my expectations but the event that moved me the most was when they played the song 'How Great Thou Art' when the storm below on the Sea of Galilee. The boat was rocking and the mountains were in the background. To think of Jesus and the apostles on the stormy sea and Jesus calming it."
Barbara Bryan, Notre Dame, Kurville, Texas

"I felt profoundly connected to God during the outdoor Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes, but I think that was a culmination of all the days previous spent in preparation. Though the institution of the Eucharist and all of Jesus’ acts throughout his life are powerful for Catholics, I feel the teaching on the Mount were powerful for humanity, Christian or not, 'Jew or Greek, slave or free.'"
Sindia John, Immaculate Conception, Memphis

"The one place that I really enjoyed was the Garden of Gethsemane. The time of meditation and the opportunity for confession, along with prayer and thought of the sorrow of Jesus, so painful that he sweated blood, really touched me. The mysteries of the rosary have become very real."
Deacon Joe Bruick, St. Edward, Texarakana

"I’m not sure I could identify one moment or event as most important, but I can say that it was the people themselves who most impressed me -- those who came on the journey and those we met along the way. There was an openness and honesty and vulnerability that was evident throughout the days we were together, and this is what allows God to work in us."
Cackie Upchurch, Little Rock Scripture Study

How will the pilgrimage change you?

"It has already changed and enhanced the way I pray the Scriptures. Visualizing Christ in his homeland makes His life and ministry much more personal. I also feel a close solidarity to the Christians in the Holy Land as they are forced to suffer many daily indignities and as they struggle for peace and the right to enjoy freedom of movement in their homeland."
Jan Brass, St. Anne, North Little Rock

"It will increase our devotion to our faith by giving us deeper knowledge and a better understanding of just how difficult life must have been for followers of Jesus in the harsh cultural and social conditions of that time."
Chesley and Pilar Nunley, St. Martin Parish, Nashville

"I now have a new perspective on my relationship with God and a deeper perspective on the importance of Scripture study."
Jerry Hanson, Christ the King, Little Rock

"It healed some of the hurt of losing Good Counsel's school to see the eagerness with which the pastor received our musical instruments for the school at Our Lady of Fatima, Beit Sahour, Palestine."
Sandy Hanson, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Little Rock

"Walking in the footsteps of Jesus truly has made the Scriptures come alive, not only of the places, but the people of this land and those we traveled with. This experience has strengthened my faith and love for the body of Christ throughout the world. I hope to share the story of building bridges instead of walls between people."
Jeanne Manaugh, St. Monica, Edmond, Okla.

"When I share my faith with my students at St. Mary School and our PRE students -- it will be with a deeper knowledge and a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection."
Lois Rooney, St. Mary, Paragould

"The Bible has come alive and especially Easter will never be the same."
Ron Rooney, St. Mary, Paragould

"I have a prayer time everyday at 4 p.m. I look forward to this time because I get to visit the Lord. This pilgrimage has me pondering whether to join the Oblates of Subiaco/Abbot Jerome. The pilgrimage has 'centering compass’ in life."
Duel Scroggins, Cathedral of St. Andrew, Little Rock

"I have been floundering for a few years. I feel like this has given me a direction to start my journey."
Vangie Atkinson, St. Edward, Little Rock

"It will make the Scriptures come alive for me. It will make my Holy Week and the rest of Lent so much deeper for me."
Katie Gordy, St. Monica, Edmond, Okla.

"It helped me to call to mind prayers more often throughout the day. I will never again be able to pray the rosary without picturing the sights and the people we have met along the way."
Janice Vernon, St. Andrew, Yellville

"I hope to spend more time in prayer and Bible reading. Also to be more loving to my husband."
Joanne Mustion, St. Andrew, Yellville

"I have a big desire to study and learn the Bible from the prophets of the Old Testament to the fulfillment in the New Testament."
Jim Neff, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home

"Be more Christ-like and be more loving and caring to all those I come in contact with."
Carolyn Neff, St. Peter the Fisherman, Mountain Home

"Read the Bible more."
Lorene Anderson, St. Michael, Van Buren

"It has renewed my sense of Catholicity and purpose. To share the love I experience following Jesus’ footsteps in the Holy Land. Walking his walk and talking his talk with those of my parish and my family."
Kevin Anderson, St. Michael, Van Buren

"I thirst for more knowledge."
Alvis Pate, St. Edward, Texarkana

"The Bible will come alive. Will try harder to live the Beatitudes."
Sharon McCoy, St. Edward, Texarkana

"To bring the readings to life. I can visualize the areas of the Scriptures. It will draw me closer to the Lord."
Antoinette Peters, St. Edward, Texarkana

"When praying will cause me to have a greater devotion."
Joe Bergman, St. Paul, Pocahontas

"Hoping for a strengthening of faith and an increased ability to evangelize to those of lesser faith."
Nita Shaw, St. Jude, Jacksonville

"Today this pilgrimage will deepen my faith and make it stronger. My appreciation for the Bible is greater. The visit to each holy site makes it come alive. More over, I will say my prayers with more vigor. Other words, my prayers will never be routine again."
Winfred McKinnon, Immaculate Conception, North Little Rock

"I plan to read the Bible every day, grow spiritually more, continue with my adoration, service projects, etc. It was a great spiritual experience."
Elsy John, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Little Rock

"I’m writing a book about the Old Testament, the people and where they lived. Now I see where I need to revise and do more research."
Lyle Stafford, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock

"The association of the places to the words and actions of Christ made the Bible come alive to me. My faith has been strengthened to the point where I now want to share it."
Mary Ann Stafford, Our Lady of the Holy Souls, Little Rock
Stafford has created a blog to share her insights from the trip. It can be read at mastafford.blogspot.com.

"Scripture, especially the Gospels, will be much more alive to me. I hope I will spend more time and spent it more productively, meditating on the Scriptures."
Sharon Robinette, Christ the King, Little Rock

"The rosary will have so much more meaning now. When I read the Bible, I can visualize the places."
Jan Hill, Christ the King, Little Rock

"I have a greater knowledge of the Holy Land and the problems that they have here today. Also a better understanding of the time of Jesus. I will be able to read the Bible with more understanding. Also I have a great respect for the older people that made the trip. They had such a reverence and perseverance that I would like to emulate."
Barbara Bryan, Notre Dame, Kerrville, Texas

"I’ve gain so much it’s hard to fit it in one paragraph. Greatest, I think, is an awareness of the plight of Palestinians, particularly Christians. They have gain an advocate in me truly. Masses, rosaries and reading the Bible will never be the same, and I look forward to sharing my impressions with those who haven’t bee here. Finally, I’m going to be a better witness to Christ every chance I can even if it’s just saying grace before every meal, even in restaurants."
Sindia John, Immaculate Conception, Memphis

"The entire pilgrimage was so real of the birth, life and public ministry of Jesus. Just being there make the Gospels so real and alive."
Deacon Joe Bruick, St. Edward, Texarkana

"Though I’m uncertain exactly how the pilgrimage will change me, I have no doubt that such a journey of faith continues my own personal conversion and my commitment to follow Jesus’ lead. Hopefully, I am once again renewed in my baptismal commitment and more open to God’s direction."
Cackie Upchurch, Little Rock Scripture Study

In addition to the comments from the pilgrims, you can also read the pilgrimage story here.