JOY TO ALL MEN AND PEACE TO MANKIND
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Dear Friends
Sacred Heart JESUS is
Fund Raising Event
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he Sacred Heart Church is in dire need of repairs, not only to the interior of the Church but also to its the exterior. To this end a group of ladies from the Church got together and organised a cake stall to raise monies for the Church’s Restoration Fund. Apart from the usual array of cakes, there were also ‘rosarios’ (sweet rosaries) on sale. The latter proved to be very popular as it reminded many of their youth when it was traditional to buy them in our local confectionery shops. Unfortunately, this tradition has been lost due to the high costs, of the ingredients. Fr Jonathan would like to thank everyone who helped, either by baking a cake, selling them, and especially, the general public for buying them, thus enabling the whole event to be a great success.
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or the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not acknowledge someone’s name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person’s name expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish boy is named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people. It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham
Fr. Stuart Chipolina
the name above all names and his posterity. In fulfilment of this precept, Mary’s newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God’s messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb. This name signifies Jesus’ identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man, will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design andwww.pwc.gi plan of God in giving us a Saviour who would bring us grace, mercy, and freedom from the power of sin
and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11). The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on the lips, the name of Jesus. Happy New Year Fr Stuart Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a notfor-profit project.
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Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media Ltd, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. Stuart Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.eu
Production Editor: A. Sargent angela@europeaxess.com
Cover: Emmaus Prayer Group on Retreat Photo: Michelle Hook. PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. See www.pwc.com for more information.
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Happy New Year
Anne Mesilio
Words
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o d said; “ L e t t h e r e b e light.”when he set about the marvellous job of creation. He used words to create from nothing this beautiful world we live in. He used words “let us make man in our image and likeness” etc when he spoke humans into being. When the clocks strike 12 at midnight on 31st December we express joy and happiness to welcome the New Year. We will pass these felicitations on to everyone, friends, family and strangers willing to share our hopes and expectations. We use words to help give birth to another year as in the ending
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of the old one there is also a beginning. We try to end the present year on a cheerful note as we greet the new with fresh optimism. A new year is a time to try and stimulate new beginnings in our lives, and every year we make resolutions to try and change some negative aspects of ourselves. This is often a great waste of energy resulting in the feeling of failure. This year, why not develop the positive aspects of yourself, spread love, peace, joy, look after your health, your family. “What do you read my lord?” asked Polonius o f H a m l e t . “ Wo r d s , words, words”, he replied. Wo r d s a r e o u r w a y o f
communicating; they are all we have to describe feelings, emotions and our thoughts. Words have the power to unite/ divide people, start debates and fire people up as well as inspire. Our words make the difference between right and wrong, between causing pleasure or pain and as we choose words, we also choose the emphasis with how we use them, and this makes all the difference to how they are received. Words are our power and we really do need to use them responsibly. It is so easy to say things without giving a second thought to the consequences which are felt immediately. Regarded as the founder of western philosophy, Socrates championed oral modes of communication and concentrated on friendship as a way of imparting a sense of community. Makes me wonder if under the blue Aegean skies he sowed the seeds for what we know as Facebook today? This social network service and website was launched in 2004 and we sit around our computers adding friends to common interest sites as we communicate. We are to a degree emulating Socrates as we exchange banter, news, views, speak our minds, agree/disagree with one another. We need words all the time to persuade, inform, comfort, encourage etc. and so must be aware of cold words, e.g. cannot, doubt, risk unfortunately etc. A
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few examples of warm words could be; agree, care, good, heart, hope etc. Happy New Year, these three little words will be expressed countless times over the next few weeks. We mean them of course, as I do, at the close of another year as I wish you the closeness of family and friends and the comfort of home to help renew your spirit, bringing joy to one and all.
Do you think God could be calling you to the Third Order of Carmelites?
John Berry, Provincial Delegate of the Third Order of Carmelites, will be coming to Gibraltar on the 24th February 2012 to help in the process of commencing a Third Order of Carmelites in Gibraltar. This will be open to anyone who feels the calling to the Third Order of Carmelites. If you would like more information please contact, Elizabeth Chipolina: Tel: 20046705 or 20079203 (after office hours) Mob: 54003987, or Ana Maria Hayden: 20071748 Mob: 54018508
Helping Others
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Treetops Hotel
he Queen’s Jubilee Pageant will be an opportunity for nominated Charities to raise funds, and the Kijani Trust has a limited number of seats available to people who would like to attend from Gibraltar.
Gibraltar goes to Windsor A contingent from Gibraltar will attend The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant
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he Pageant will take place in the private grounds of Windsor Castle and will run over three nights on the 10th, 11th and 13th May 2012, with one performance watched by Her Majesty the Queen. His Excellency the Governor
Sir Adrian Johns, has offered his support to the Kijani Trust and those interested in going to Windsor in May will be invited to a Reception in the Banqueting Hall at the Convent later this month. The Trust has seats next to the Royal Box, which include
access to VIP seating in the Royal hospitality area. Alternatively, for those who are keen to climb the tree where Princess Elizabeth heard she had become Queen, rooms at Tree Tops Hotel, including the Princess Elizabeth Suite, will be given to the Kijani Trust for the
nights of the Pageant. These will be offered in an online auction, see www.kijanikenyatrust.org/treetops to bid. If you would like more information, including sponsorship opportunities, or to apply to attend the Jubilee Pageant events, please contact Angela Sargent on Tel: 20079335 before the 19th Jan. More about the work of the Kijani Trust: www.kijanikenyatrust.org
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER A New Dimension in Your Marriage
The next Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th May at the Europa Retreat Centre. For further information contact: Ernest & Jane Povedano Tel. 70976, Mob: 54007961, E-mail: janern@gibtelecom.net or Eliott & Macu Dobinson, Tel. 79586, Mob: 58008309, Email: eliomacu@sapphirenet.gi
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A Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Logo of the World Council of Churches
CHRISTIANS UNITED The strongest team
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“We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 5:51-58).
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working group composed of representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and Old Catholic and Protestant Churches active in Poland collaborated to produce the material published by the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Commission of Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches for use in this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Following extensive discussions in which the representatives
of various ecumenical circles in Poland took part, it was decided to focus on a theme that is concerned with the transformative power of faith in Christ, particularly in relation to our praying for the visible unity of the Church, the Body of Christ. This was based on St. Paul’s words to the Corinthian Church which speak of the temporary nature of our present lives (with all its apparent “victory” and “defeat”) in comparison to what we receive through the victory of Christ through the Paschal mystery.
Why such a theme? The history of Poland has been marked by a series of defeats and victories. We can mention the many times that Poland was invaded, the partitions, oppression by foreign powers and hostile systems. The constant striving to overcome all enslavement and the desire for freedom are a feature of Polish history which have led to significant changes in the life of the nation. And yet where there is victory there are also losers who do not share the joy and triumph of the winners. This particular history of the Polish nation has led the ecumenical group who have written this year’s material to reflect more deeply on what it means to “win” and to “lose”, especially given the way in which the language of “victory” is so often understood in triumphalist terms. Yet Christ shows us a very different way!
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In 2012 the European Football Championship will be held in Poland and Ukraine.
This would never have been possible in years gone by. For many this is a sign of another “national victory” as hundreds of millions of fans eagerly await news of winning teams playing in this part of Europe. Thinking of this example might lead us to consider the plight of those who do not win - not only in sport but in their lives and communities: who will spare a thought for the losers, those who constantly suffer defeats because they are denied victory due to various conditions and circumstances? Rivalry is a permanent feature not only in sport but also in political, business, cultural and, even, church life.
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When Jesus’ disciples disputed over “who was the greatest” (Mk 9,34) it was clear that this impulse was strong. But Jesus’ reaction was very simple: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mk 9,35). These words speak of victory through mutual service, helping, boosting the self-esteem of those who are “last”, forgotten, excluded. For all Christians, the best expression of such humble service is Jesus Christ, His victory through death and His resurrection. It is in His life, action, teaching,
suffering, death and resurrection that we desire to seek inspiration for a modern victorious life of faith which expresses itself in social commitment in a spirit of humility, service and faithfulness to the Gospel. And, as he awaited the suffering and death that was to come, he prayed that his disciples might be one so that the world might believe. This “victory” is only possible through spiritual transformation, conversion. That is why we consider that the theme for our meditations should be those words of the Apostle to the Nations. The point is to achieve a victory which integrates all Christians around the service of God and one’s neighbour. As we pray for and strive towards the full visible unity of the church we - and the traditions to which we belong - will be changed, transformed and conformed to the likeness of Christ. The unity for which we pray may require the renewal of forms of Church life with which we are familiar. This is an exciting vision but it may fill us with some fear! The unity for which we pray is not
ommenting on the theme for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Bishop Ralph Heskett said ‘Our faith in Christ opens all sorts of possibilities and that is the transformative power of Christ and this can therefore bring about what Christ prayed for in his farewell discourse “May they all be one, ...”’ There will be a special service at St. Andrew’s Church at 1.00 pm on Wednesday 18th January and Bishop Ralph will be preaching at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Sunday the 23rd January. merely a “comfortable” notion of friendliness and co-operation. It requires a willingness to dispense with competition between us. We need to open ourselves to each other, to offer gifts to and receive gifts from one another, so that we might truly enter into the new life in Christ, which is the only true victory. There is room for everyone in God’s plan of salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Christ embraces all, irrespective of winning or losing, “that
whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn 3,15). We too can participate in His victory! It is sufficient to believe in Him, and we will find it easier to overcome evil with good.
Images: Main photo, the leaders of Gibraltar’s Christian churches entering the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned after the Good Friday procession on 22nd April last year. (©A. Sargent) Insert: The two Euro2012 mascots wearing Ukraine and Poland National Jerseys (©besoccer.com)
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Youth Ministry
Emmaus Youth Prayer
are a selection of answers Confused about your Here to some of the questions we asked them. do you think it is imfuture? These young Why portant to belong to a youth prayer group? people have found GINA: The youth are the church of today. It’s something to do now, not some direction... “It’s a new wetimehave in the future. It is easier to relate step in my life and I NICOLE: to people your age, there is common ground, you have different priorities, different feel happy about it responsibilities. often do you attend and that I am on the How prayer meetings? LANCE: Every single Monday right path with it.”
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he Emmaus Youth Prayer Group held a Christmas Retreat on weekend of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of December 2011. On the last day, after the morning talk, given by Henry Earle in English, Upon This Rock met with two leaders and two participants.
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Gina and Nicole are leaders, Gina has been part of the group since she was 16, even though she went away to the UK to study she is back with the group now. Nicole has been with the group for two years. Participants Lance and Kayleigh both joined the group earlier this year.
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I never had time for it but a friend told me, “You have go! Come!” and since then I’ve only missed one meeting, when went on holiday to visit my brother in Uni. NICOLE: The prayer meeting is weekly but now as a leader I go twice a week. How many are in the group? GINA: We have a little over 40 people at the retreat but the whole group is around 50. What do you feel are the most important issues facing youth today? KAYLEIGH: We are the church of today we have to
Interviews: A.Sargent Photos: Michelle Hook
Group:
make the young ones realize how special God is in our lives. GINA: There are lots of problems with drugs and alcohol, coming in to a group like this they learn the ins and outs of how they can help and support each other. With the youth it is important that they know God, to support them through these times. Does your faith help you deal with those issues? LANCE: Yes for sure it really does. It helps me a lot in life especially with my family and friends. KAYLEIGH: God helps me loads and gives me strength. What are your hobbies? NICOLE: Reading, my favourite book is ‘The Angel’s Game’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Right now I’m reading a book by May Finch; Way to Dublin. I am not enjoying it. I like a more fluid time line, a linear narrative. While I type up Nicole’s answer another of the participants wanders past where we are sitting, Nicole asks how she’s doing. Chris Pitaluga has
on Retreat
his guitar and laptop at an adjacent table and sings in the background as he tries out a song. What have you gained from joining the group? LANCE: Jesus first of all, and friends. The experience, that’s everything. KAYLEIGH: I’ve gained loads of trust in God and loads of trust in people as well. It’s a new step in my life and I feel happy about it and that I am on the right path with it. GINA: I’ve gained an amazing group of friends, it’s amazing to know such nice people. Before I was a church goer but now I know God is always with me through everything and I’m never alone. In what way do you serve or give back to the group?
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Youth
Ministry
Emaus Youth Prayer Group: on Retreat
NICOLE: As leaders we give talks in turn, two people take a subject, say ‘God’s love’ organize a meeting round that theme, give a talk and afterwards get feedback from the other leaders
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and then the next week we give someone else feedback on their talk. KAYLEIGH: This is my second retreat. Gina adds, Kayleigh is helping us here even though she is doing the retreat, she is helping look after the little children and she helps with everything. What would you say to a young person thinking of joining a prayer group? KAYLEIGH: To definitely join as they will realize things about life as I did, things they have not noticed before. That they should always pray and always have God in their lives not just when they have problems. LANCE: That it is the best experience that you could have. Having a relationship with God and knowing who he is.
NICOLE: What they are searching for is God but they don’t realize it and once they
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have felt his love they will not want to go back.
Supporting Families
Our Mission To end all forms of cruelty to children in Gibraltar.
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UR VISION: A society in which all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. OUR VALUES: Children must be protected from all forms of abuse. They must not be put at risk of harm. They must not be subject to any form of discrimination or intimidation. We challenge inequalities against children and young people. We listen to children and young people, respect their views and respond directly to their needs. We believe every child has the right to have someone to whom they can turn for help and support. OUR SERVICES: Free phone Helpline Children and young people can phone our Helpline Volunteers
to talk about issues or problems that concern them. Adults are also encouraged to telephone if they have concerns about a child’s welfare, or are experiencing problems caring for a child or teenager. Work with Schools and Youth Groups Our work entails working directly with local schools and youth groups. We give talks and distribute information to support children and young people. Appropriate Adult Scheme When a minor is arrested, if he/ she does not have an adult who is willing or able to be present, a Childline Volunteer will fulfil this role at the request of The Royal Gibraltar Police. Our Helpline (8008) is available every day between 6pm - 10pm www.childline.gi
CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS The Annual 25th, 40th, 50th & 60th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations are scheduled for the 3rd of February 2012 at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, 7.30pm. Couples who celebrated their 25th, 40th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversary in 2011 are invited to join in this celebration and renew their vows. Cut out (or photocopy if you prefer) the form below and hand it in to the Catholic Bookshop next to the Cathedral not later than the 14th January. Forms are also available at the Catholic Bookshop.
Mr. & Mrs._ _________________________________________ Forenames: Husband _ ________________________________ Forenames: Wife_____________________________________ Neé_________________________________________________ Address_ ____________________________________________ _ ___________________________________________________ e-mail_______________________________________________ Tel. No. Home________________________________________ Tel. No. Work _ ______________________________________ Mobile_ _____________________________________________ Date of Marriage _____________________________________ Church______________________________________________ N.B. If marriage took place outside Gibraltar please produce a copy of the marriage Certificate when handing in this form This form should be handed in at the Cathedral bookshop as soon as possible and not later than Friday 14th January. You can e-mail above detail/form to: duos@gibtelecom.net
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2011 Holy Land Pilgrimage with Manolo Galliano. Photos: Grace Lima
In Jesus’ Footsteps.. Continuing Manolo Galliano’s Holy Land Pilgrimage diary notes from Fr. Paul’s trip to see where Jesus lived... Friday 16th Sept.
We depart the Grand Court Hotel for Mount Herzl to visit the Yad Vashem Museum, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust victims, and I am quite overcome by the horror of man’s inhumanity towards man. So many millions of men, women and children exterminated for no other reason than they were considered different and deemed inferior. Especially moving was the Children’s Memorial and indeed all the displays shock us because of the ease in which the people were slaughtered in such a methodical and merciless manner.
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In the afternoon, we depart for Bethlehem, on entering the walled enclave of this Palestinian city situated in the central West Bank, south of Jerusalem we transfer to a new coach, with a local driver, and guide. We enter the Church of the Nativity through a very low doorway into a dark ancient Basilica and marvel at sections of the original Byzantine mosaic floor, the massive columns with their Corinthian capitals and the roof beams donated, over half a millennium ago, by King Edward IV of England. We next proceed to the more modern looking parochial church of St. Catherine and
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descend to the grottoes below to the Chapel of Saint Joseph. Here Mass is celebrated, together with the singing of traditional Christmas carols, in such a confined space that it brings to mind how the early Christians used to congregate for prayer in the Roman catacombs.
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Left: Mgr. Paul Bear venerates Jesus’ birthplace in the Grotto of the Nativity. Above: Open air Mass in the desert. We then return to the old Basilica to queue up for over an hour in order to descend to the Grotto of the Nativity, the traditional place where Jesus was born. The hotel restaurant is quite full this evening with many Jewish families celebrating the Shabbat with their prayers, blessings and even some singing.
Saturday 17th Sept.
We travel early in the morning to the Judean Desert, where Monsignor Paul celebrates Mass on a small makeshift altar under a canopy, with some Bedouin children and pedlars with their scraggy donkey looking on. The silence, the vastness and the heat is truly awesome and the contrast with the more fertile areas of Israel cannot be greater.
We are then driven to Masada, Herod’s palatial fortress and the last bastion of Jewish freedom fighters, following the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 70AD. We ride to the plateau at the top by cable car and are immediately overwhelmed both by the intense heat and by the wonderful view, a panorama of the Dead Sea and the distant mountains of Jordan. Moshe, our guide, gives us a comprehensive explanation of the many ancient remains, including the palaces, bathhouse, towers, synagogue and gates. He also shows us the outline of the camps used by the Roman besiegers and the siege ramp built by them in order to breach the fortifications. Then it is time to go to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the face of the earth, and although one has read so much about it, it is nevertheless incredible that one can just float on the sea without sinking. After this experience, I smeared myself completely with
the famous mineral-rich black mud, and ended up looking like a native from the deepest confines of Africa, giving quite a fright to some of my fellow pilgrims; although, later, most of the others also tried it. Brisk scrubbing and four long showers later, I was finally restored to my usual tan colour, quite refreshed but with the same wrinkles remaining.
Sunday 18th Sept.
After Mass at the hotel, we were left to our own devices. A small group decided to explore the Old City which is a fascinating warren of narrow lanes and alleyways bustling with shops and bazaars selling everything from souvenirs to oriental spices and butchered goats’ heads to bicycle wheels. Tired and footsore, we finally end up in the New City, having a splendid meal ‘al fresco’ in the corner of King George Street, watching the whole world go by.
Monday 19th Sept
We left the hotel at 8:00am and went up to the Mount of Olives for an incomparable view of Jerusalem from the Franciscan Church of Dominus Flevit. The name means ‘the Lord wept’, referring to the occasion when he wept for the city and its fate. Then, we stopped at the Garden of Olives where we all joined in prayer. Later we had time to sit on our own under the millennial olive trees, meditating and deep in our own personal thoughts. After this, we joined a milling crowd of other pilgrims and tourists to visit the beautiful Church of All Nations, and see the traditional Rock of the Agony which lies in front of the main altar. It is then time to enter the Old City, to explore the Jewish Quarter and walk along the Cardo, a partly restored section of the Roman shopping area, now full of shops, boutiques and cafes.
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2011 Holy Land Pilgrimage
with Manolo Galliano
In Jesus’ Footsteps... Sponsored by
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As we sit in one of the open air restaurants, we are surprised to hear singing and clapping and into view comes a large group of young people, playing musical instruments and dancing and singing and bringing in tow, under a canopy, a young man who is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. We resume walking through St. Stephen’s Gate and reach the Crusader Church of St Anne and view the Pool of Bethseda, where Jesus met and healed the man who had been ill for 38 years. At last, another of the high points in our pilgrimage: the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, commencing at the Church of the Condemnation, with all of us taking turns, in small groups, to carry the cross. It is quite a struggle to move along the very crowded lanes, giving deaf ear to the noise around us and trying to focus, to concentrate on re-living the suffering of Our Lord along this ‘Way of Sorrow’. Finally, we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, climbing the steps up to the traditional site of the crucifixion on Golgotha and we visit the rock beneath, which contains a large crack caused by the cosmic event at the moment of Jesus’ death. Following this, we queue to get into the Anastasis, which is a small enclosure in the centre of the rotunda where Christ’s body was said to have been laid in the tomb and where the Resurrection took place. Mass is celebrated in the Franciscan Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, after the daily procession of Franciscans visiting and incensing all the altars and chapels whilst praying and singing. After walking for over five miles through narrow crowded streets, over uneven surfaces and experiencing so many joys and sorrows, everybody is now
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anxious to get back to our coach, waiting outside the city walls, for a well-earned rest and dinner at our hotel.
Tuesday 20th Sept
We again leave the hotel at 8:00am, this time to drive up to the Cenacle for Mass, then visit the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu. This is the traditional site for the house of the High Priest Caiphas, where Peter denied Jesus and the cock crowed, hence the name of the church. Next to this building, archaeologists have uncovered steps cut into the hill which led to the City of David and to the Garden of Gethsemane, these steps were most likely used by Jesus when he was apprehended. Our next stop is at the Church of the Pater Noster, purported to be the site where Our Lord gave the teaching of the ‘Our Father’ prayer. This prayer is displayed in the courtyard of the unfinished church and in the adjoining cloisters, on ceramic tiles in 62 different languages. We then drive to the Shrine of the Book, its white dome resembling the lid of one of the earthenware jars that contained the Dead Sea Scrolls when they were first found. These were on display inside the building. After a quick lunch, we view the outdoor model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period, it shows all the intricate details of the walls and fortifications, palaces, houses and the Temple itself. When we return to our hotel, it is still early, so a small group of us decide to visit the Garden Tomb which is located nearby. We found that this was within a very well maintained garden which had a rock-cut tomb with two chambers and also an adjacent rock face in which one can discern the eye sockets and bridge of a skull, thus leading General Gordon in 1883 to identify it as Golgotha, the Place
of the Skull. One of the guides told us that there was no proof, one way or another, that this was the actual place of crucifixion and burial, but that it should be used as a visual aid and that, above all, the most important thing was not where it happened - but that it happened!
Wednesday 21st Sept. Mass in the hotel before we checked out at noon. We then made our way to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, known as the Wailing Wall, where the ladies in our group were separated from the men. There we prayed and slipped our prayers, written on small pieces of paper, in between the cracks of the huge stones. We next visited the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and were quite mystified to see a large group of pilgrims from
Zambia crying out hysterically and wailing inside the church. This excess of emotion was later checked by one of the Franciscans, thus restoring order. We had lunch in a shopping centre in the New City, which gave us time to buy a few last minute things and eat the delicious Jewish cakes. On our way to the airport in Tel Aviv, we stopped at a typical Lebanese restaurant for our own last supper in the Holy Land. The passport and customs control at Ben Gurion Airport was very strict. The questioning and checking of luggage resulted
in long queues.
Thusday 22nd Sept.
We depart Tel Aviv at 1:30am, landing in Brussels at 5 in the morning and having to endure an eight and half hour wait before flying to Malaga. By this time, everybody is quite tired and longing to get our first glimpse of the Rock, where our pilgrimage to the Holy Land will finally end. This has been a wonderful experience for all of us and the fact that we have followed in the footsteps of Jesus will always live in our hearts and minds.
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