Renewal of Wedding Vows in Cana

Dear Friends,

A couple of days ago, we went to the city of Cana in Galilee, and three married couples in our group renewed their wedding vows. Take a look . . .

Fr. Chris preaching at the renewal of wedding vows ceremony in Cana.

Three married couples in our group renewed their wedding vows in Cana.

 

 

Fr. Chris blesses the three couples.

Painting on the wall of the chapel where wedding vows were renewed.

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves & Fishes

While staying in Tiberias, Israel (on the Sea of Galilee), we visited the Church of the Multiplication (of the Loaves & Fishes) in Tabgha. You may remember from a previous post that I included a photo of Fr. Chris, high up on a hill in the mouth of a cave, reading the Beatitudes from the Sermon of the Mount to us . . . we were down on the ground across the street from him! That is the presumed location of Christ's Sermon on the Mount.
Here's some history:

The earliest recording of a church commemorating Jesus' feeding of five thousand is by the Spanish pilgrim Egeria circa 380.^[1] "Not far away from there (Capernaum) are some stone steps where the Lord stood. And in the same place by the sea is a grassy field with plenty of hay and many palm trees. By them are seven springs, each flowing strongly. And this is the field where the Lord fed the people with the five loaves and two fishes. In fact the stone on which the Lord placed the bread has now been made into an altar. Past the walls of this church goes the public highway on which the Apostle Matthew had his place of custom. Near there on a mountain is a cave to which the Savior climbed and spoke the Beatitudes."

The church has been enlarged, renovated, destroyed by the Persians, rebuilt, etc. over the years. The mosaic floor from the 5th century church and the stone upon which Jesus placed the bread for the feeding of the 5,000 have survived, and we were able to see and touch them during our visit.


Church of the Multiplication Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note altar with stone underneath and mosaic floor from 5th century church.

 

Stone beneath altar where Jesus placed the loaves before feeding the 5,000. Note famous mosaic of bread and fishes.

Peter's Primacy

Also, on our second day in Tiberias (11/7), we visited the Church of Peter's Primacy.

 

The Church of the Primacy of St. Peter is a Franciscan church located in Tabgha, Israel, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. This is the traditional site of the events of John 21 after the resurrection – Jesus cooking breakfast for the disciples, the miraculous catch of fish and Peter’s reconciliation, where Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.

 

The church contains a projection of limestone rock in front of the present altar which is venerated as a "Mensa Christi", Latin for table of Christ. According to tradition, this is the spot where Jesus is said to have laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles, asked Peter if he loved Him three times, and told Peter to "Feed My sheep" after the miraculous catch. This was the third time Jesus appeared to them after His Resurrection. (John 21:1-24) 

We were able to go up and touch this rock in front of the church altar.

Church of Peter's Primacy
 

"Peter's Primacy" in Latin (sign on church).

Altar with limestone rock (Mensa Christi) in Church of Peter's Primacy.

"Mensa Christi" (sign).

Fr. Chris and Deacon Rich saying Mass at an altar outside of Peter's Primacy Church. The Sea of Galilee is in the background.

 

 

 

Home!

Dear Friends, 

The Catholic pilgrims have just landed on American soil from Israel! On our way to Chicago, then to CR. What a blessing this pilgrimage was - in so many ways! Praise God! More posts to follow! Shalom!

Via Dolorosa

Shalom, my friends! 

We just finished walking the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) this morning and this was the REAL way of the Cross! So amazing! 

Here are some of the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem.

Everywhere you look in Jerusalem, there's something historical that connects back to Christ. 

We also visited the Church of the Dormition, which is where Mary died (fell asleep). We had already visited where she had been buried and assumed into heaven the day before.

Statue of Mary in Church of the Dormition.

We visited the "Upper Room" as well -- where the Last Supper and Pentecost took place.

A very busy, but enjoyable and educational, morning!

We'll be on a plane tomorrow night around 11 pm to begin our long trip home.

Please keep us in your prayers.

 

Tuesday

Just had the most amazing experience! Had mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre next to Jesus' tomb .....we were even able to go in and and touch and kiss the marble slab on top! We also got to touch the place where they laid Jesus' body after taking Him down from the Cross. And also we touched the place where the Cross was in the ground! Simply mind-blowing! 

Dead Sea Swimming

Greetings dear friends,

Yesterday (Sunday), we went to the Dead Sea, and several of our group decided to jump in for a swim (or "float" as the case may be). There was some "mudding" going on as well! Check it out!

Deacon Rich and Bill floating in the salt water!

Kathi and Maureen advancing slowly through the mud and salt water!

Brother and sister -- Bill and Kathi loving the Dead Sea mud!