Today there were three highlights of the day: Mass at the Nativity Grotto, Classes, and first social evening of our class. The Mass was actually the attempt of having a Mass in the Grotto, since the celebration of Christmas by the Armenian Orthodox is still being celebrated. Thus Mass was celebrated in the side chapel of St Helena in the church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. We are still hopeful that we can celebrate Mass in the Nativity Grotto.
In the midmorning and afternoon we continued our classes of Spiritual Direction and Ecumenism. In the first class we focused on the Rules of Discernment from Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. We opened ourselves to the ways of navigating the soul through the waters of desolations, consolations, and insights. The major part of our Ecumenism class was dedicated to sharing the impressions from previous day’s talk from a Palestinian priest who shared with us his experience of ministry in the Holy Land.
Finally, in the evening the Social Committee organized an evening of trivia. The trivia categories covered topics such as: Bethlehem, Movies and TV shows, Mundelein community, Sports, and Pop Culture. This night allowed us to bond and grow in fraternity as we continue to pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
Tomorrow we will be traveling to the place of Visitation in Ein Karen. This is where Mary, after the Annunciation, traveled approximately 90 miles through the hill country to Elizabeth to bring her the joy of the birth of the Savior of the world. Be assured that we continue to pray for all of you at these holy places as we walk the steps of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples!
I don't see how you're able to keep these amazing experiences separate in your minds. And to think that some people live there and could visit every day! Much better, I think, not to let familiarity breed apathy, but instead to see it once-in-a-lifetime as you are.
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