A Journey to the Holy Land
“. . . Five gospels record the life of Jesus. Four you will find in books and one you will find in the land they call holy. Read the fifth gospel and the world of the four will open to you.” –Bargil Pixner
The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana’s biennial pilgrimage to the Holy Land will be June 2-14, 2016. People from around the diocese are invited to take part in this transformative spiritual experience. A pilgrimage is not a vacation, nor a mission trip, but a journey to find God. On this pilgrimage we will walk in Jesus’ footsteps from Bethlehem, to Nazareth, to the Judean desert and the Dead Sea, to the Sea of Galilee, to the cross of Jerusalem, and the empty tomb.
To register for this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage you must attend one of three informational sessions scheduled in New Orleans and Baton Rouge:
- Wed., Sept. 23, 6:30 pm, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 6249 Canal Boulevard, New Orleans
- Mon., Oct. 5, 6:30 pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 205 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge
- Wed., Oct. 14, 6:30 pm, Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans
The Rev. Rob Courtney, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church & School, New Orleans, will be leading this pilgrimage. If you have questions, need more information, or are interested but unable to attend one of the sessions, please contact him at rcourtney@stpauls-lakeview.org, or (504)488-3749, ext. 122.
The locals call it “the land of the Holy One who makes us holy.” Join us as we encounter Christ in the people and places who still give his testimony to this day.
O God of Abraham, you have revealed yourself to the world most fully through the people and places around the holy city of Jerusalem: be with our pilgrim group as we seek to connect with you in this holy land, its holy places, and its holy inhabitants; open our hearts and minds to the gifts you offer us through our travels, that we may grow in knowledge and understanding of our connection to your abiding presence in all places, and through all people. This we ask in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (A collect written by our 2014 pilgrim group as they prepared for their journey).
Source: EDOLA Holy Land Blog| Pilgrimage 2016 Details