Rabboni (Teacher) Day 4

    The morning mass in Magdala was perfect to start our day. I had the honor to be the Lectir today . The boat-shapeed altar with the Sea of Galilee in the background made me feel like I wqsmon the boat.with Jesus and the Apostles. The chapel was named "Duc in Altun" after Pope.John Paul's  encyclical. Here's a link about the encyclical: https://thomisticinstitute.org/livestream-lectures/duc-in-altum

Me- reading at mass

"Cast your nets deeper" .... As we.are.calleed to work harder , dig deeper into ourselves how to be Christ- like in our actions by loving each other as we love HIM.  I needed.to.be reminded that Christ is present everywhere in faces of our brothers and sisters . 

Pics from Magdala Center ( archaeological excavation) the ancient town of Magdala and the new church built close by. 

Jewish guide Tanya

Replica of the image of.menorah carved on the table 

Inside the boat chapel

View of Magdala excavation from our room

Our next stop was at the Church of the Multiplication. One of the oldest.christian pilgrims sites in ( Israel)

We then proceeded to the Primacy of St Peter-

Where the resurrected Jesus told.his disciples.to cast their nets deeper and after their catch, HE broke bread with his apostles.  The altar at the church was from the same table where Christ and his apostles shared meal after he resurrected from the dead. 

Then we headed west toward the Mediterranean coast and pass by Mount Carmel for lunch. We visited the Mount Carmel monastery, with a beautiful look out for you of the valley of Armageddon. The mountain range is also known as God’s Vineyard  where olives and grapes for wine have grown for thousands of years. The caves were the prophet Elijah hid are also located in this mountain.  

Elias

View of the Armageddon Valkey

Our Lady of Mt Carmel

Typical Mediterranean meal

After lunch we went to Ceasarea Maritima - a very important port of the Roman Empire . This is where St. Peter welcomed the gentiles into the Christian community - meaning you don’t have a Jew to be a Christian.

Old

Roman theater . Only one in the world that faces west 

The hippodrome 

An old Roman toilet 

We drove to Jerusalem where we will spend the next 5 nights

Quiet! Be Still! ( the Sea of Galillee) : Day 3

 

The Sea of Galilee

Mark 4: 35-41

   " AS EVENING DREW ON, Jesus said to his disciples,  " Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. .And other boats was with him.

    A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him," Teacher, DO YOU NOT CARE THAT WE ARE PERISHING?"

     He woke up rebuked the wind and said to the sea, " Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm.

   Then he asked them, : "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"

   They were filled with great awe and said to one another, " Who then is this whom even the wind and sea obey"?

   At 8 am , I was on board the boat to sail on the Sea of Galilee today with my pilgrimage group. Our boat's name is Elijah ( the boats are all named after important men in the Old Testament.) The wind was cool today and the sea was serene. Not even a minute ripple was visible anywhere. The group was chatty initially. Then, Father Ryan read the gospel and asked us for a moment of silence and reflection. I was sitting in the stern of the boat watching the sea and the sun glistening on the water. I  can see from a distance another boat called Moses. Then , I felt it - the Holy Spirit, as I was enveloped with an uncontrolled vulnerability. As hard as I  tried to control it, my tears  gushed like a vibrant spring. I just let it go - all the fears, insecurities and the constant fight that I've had with myself. I was having a moment.

   The Sea of Galilee was the epitome of Christ's humanity. HE WAS ONE OF US. He walked around here, ate, slept, worshipped, worked, fished, read the scroll of the Thora, performed miracles and many more. . He was in the mountains preaching and by the seashore hanging out. This thought of HIM being here made me realize that HE was here to give us comfort and peace. He was here to remind me not to worry about the storms in my life as you long as  I know how to find him, HE will calm my storm. He reminded me to TRUST in him - just like how he commanded the apostles to cast their nets so they will catch lots of fish. He was here walking on water so we can be in awe of him and he waited for us in the shores of Galilee to let us know that death is inevitable but if we TRUST IN  HIM and follow him and living out the gospels, the promise of eternal life is at hand. 

   The Sea of Galilee is 700 feet below sea level whish makes the are tropical and therefore fertile. The abundance of flora and fauna here sustained this area when Christ was here until today - just like the abundance of HIS grace. Olives, bananas, mangoes, avocados, passion fruit and all citruses can grow here with no problems. No wonder this is where he lived most of his life. The Sea (it's technically a Lake but because there's no word for Lake in ancient Hebrew) ,  is truly a Sea of Life.

   I know that GOD called me to be here to affirm as a witness to my faith - to experience a bit of his path. This moment I had today, is for me to know not to be fearful. I know HE got me. I know that he will be there to command the chaos to get lost.

   When we docked back at shore, there was a lightness in me that I knew was from me shedding off the distrust I've had before coming here to the Holy Land.

   We then traveled to Capernaum to celebrate out daily mass at the Church of St Peter.

    Pics from Capernaum:

Mass at St Peter’s church

Old synagogue in Capernaum 

Tilapia from the Sea of Galilee 

The fruit trees around area of Galilee 

“Benedicta tu en mulieribus” - Day 2

    Day 2: Nazareth and Mount Tabor :

   Mary’s  cousin Elizabeth said…“ Blessed are you among women” ! 

    Before that, the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “That you would conceive a Son  by the power of the Holy Spirit”. This happened in Nazareth.

   At exactly 8 AM, our bus was on its way to the Galilean city of Nazareth. Tania was our tour guide this morning and our driver’s name was Issa. Issa in Arabic means Jesus. Imagine that … The signs are definitely there. Jesus takes the wheel back to his home town of Nazareth. At present time this city is now 100% Arab. 90% of that are Arabs of Muslim faith and 10%  are Christians. The Basilica of the Annunciation stood out on a hill in the middle of Nazareth. The dome of the church is in the shape of an inverted Lily. It’s a true symbol of purity. . The mass started at exactly 10 AM at the Church of Saint Joseph, which is adjacent to the main Basilica. The mass was dedicated to both Joseph, and Mary who were both obedient to the Lord. The Eucharistic celebration was so solemn that the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt. It  finished with the whole group singing “Salve Regina”. We then walked to the main basilica  to check out all the portraits of the Madonna that covered the walls of the cathedral   The portraits were  gifts from different countries of the world. Each country depicted its culture and how the people perceived Mary as the Mother of God or “ the God bearer” in Greek. Italians donated the most portraits inside the church and outside by the courtyard  of the Basilica. Other countries, such as Spain, Portugal, France, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cameroon, Chile, Mexico, etc..have also donated , portraits, statues  and mosaics of Mary. It was a picture of their devotion and perception and how they  practiced their faith in their respective countries as Catholics around the world.

A gift from the USA ( portrait of the Virgin Mary)

Mary’s obedience to the Lord was the ultimate example of love of God by a human  being. Her courage of taking the task, the most important task any human can do have set an example for what we as humans can only dare to do. Her faith in God and the purity of her soul, enabled her to accept God’s grace. She truly believed that nothing is impossible with God.. her own blessedness was her power. She indeed is full of grace.

I am nothing compared to our heavenly mother. All I can truly do on my own is to consecrate myself to her devotion and intercession to God. It’s a question and I struggle every day as I go through life thinking if I even have enough faith to believe that God‘s love and mercy endure forever, and nothing is impossible with God. 

To Jesus through Mary.

Despite of the hustle and bustle of modern day Nazareth, finding peace from within, at the site where Mary’s humility, purity, and love of God existed was more than a gift. It was God’s way of reminding me by giving me the opportunity to examine my conscience until I fully  trust in Him. 

Here are some images from the church of the annunciation in the church of the transfiguration at Mount Tabor

Basilica of the Annunciation 

The lily dome

Outside the church of St Joseph 

Pilgrims outside the church of the Annunciation

Prayer candles inside the church

Portrait of Mary's Annunciation from the Philippines 

Preparing for the Angelus ( noon hour ) in the courtyard of the Church of the Annunciation

Walking around Nazareth 

Schwarma for lunch in Nazareth 

the Church of the Transfiguration in Mount Tabir

View from Mt Tabor

The 2 altars inside the church of the Transfiguration which symbolized the humanity and the divinity of GOD.

Olive tree on Mount Tabor

   

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Pelegrina : Why a pilgrimage ?

 Day 1: Haifa and Netanya.

    I woke up today at 3 am since my night was  flipped from a day . I tossed, turned and prayed . Still, my circadian rhythm had been like clockwork for awhile now ( no pun ) . I reread the booklet of prayers and other documents and reflected on A prayer of a pilgrim . I realized that I am not here for a tour of  one of the most historic lands on earth.  I could have chosen to  explore on my own . But, for the first time, Gabe and I joined a group of fellow believers. A group from St James Cathedral in Seattle ,  with one common denominator- the Catholic faith . It Reminded me of a passage “ When 2 or more are gathered in my name , there I am in the midst “ - words from Christ himself .  This is a journey to the deepest of my core - the most important part of my being - my Faith . I have no grand expectations but simply a change in me - for the better version of me and for the greater good . 

    To walk in HIS path…yes!. In HIS path- and the paths of all the pilgrims and even the prophets and women  before HIM, Jacob, Elijah, Abraham, Rachel, Esther , Joshua and many others - were paved with prayers , sacrifices and suffering .

   We drove to Haifa today from Netanya after breakfast The roads were clear and there was hardly any traffic . Gabe maneuvered through the hilly and winding streets of  Haifa all the way to the Baha’i gardens and Shrine . What a magnificent view of the gardens and the sea from the top.

This place is also a pilgrimage place for believers of the Baha’i Faith. The gardens looked very well maintained and situated on a hillside overlooking the sea in a dramatic fashion . 

 We then explored the traditional open air market ( Haifa Sukh) and had our dose of super vitamin C from a freshly squeezed pomegranate and orange juices. Since Gabe and I can only mutter  a few words, mostly greetings in Arabic and Hebrew, our conversations with the locals in the market were almost nonexistent. A couple of people thought we were Russians. It was probably my blonde hair that gave it away. Lol.

We had lunch by the pier at a Lebanese restaurant named Ein Elwad. This restaurant was recommended by a friend and surprisingly TripAdvisor and Google . The statue of the Virgin Mary greeted us as we entered the restaurant.

The baba ghanouj and hammaran were perfect starters and we shared a small pot of chiken Makloubeh. The family owned restaurant happened to be owned by an Arab Catholic family. The wife shared a family recipe for some of the dishes that we ate. She shared that she also has multiple statues, big and small around her house of St Charbel ( the patron saint of Lebanon) she was born in Haifa , Israel toLebanese parents . We shared to her that a close friend back home who is originally from Lebanon supplies our Zaatar. And his name happened to be Charbel.. what a small world. We were their first guests of the day. During dinner , her granddaughter walked in from her preschool behind the restaurant, which happened to be a Catholic school, and she introduced us to her. Her name is Orlinda.  She asked for our names and I said my name is Caterina and this is Gabriel( pointing at my husband ). Her grandma (the owner ) started talking to Orlinda in Arabic. She told her granddaughter that Gabriel was the name of the angel that told Maria that she is going to have a child. 

Magnificat! !  That’s all I can think of as my emotions start revving up . These messages before I came and that I’m here on this land where Christ walked resounded even more today.

“He became a companion on life‘s path, and gave new meaning to our history, the journey we make together in toil and suffering, in faithfulness and love, towards the new heaven, and the new earth. Where you, once death has been vanquished, will be all in all. praise and glory to you, most holy Trinity, you alone are God most high”…( excerpt from the pilgrims prayer )

Tonight, we dine out together with the rest of our group 

Foods from Ein Elwadi:

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Chicken Makloubeh 

Baba Ghanouj

Hammaran ( Muhamarra) 

Olives, Pita , pickled cucumbers and green chilies chutney 

Hope Saves ( Spe Salvi ): An Advent Reflection

The Advent season always makes me feel excited, not just because Christmas is coming, but.....something feels warm and fuzzy in the air. This year, Advent seems like a tornado for me. It's swirling rather quickly and I'm just trying to keep everything in place.

Despite of my travels and busy routines, I managed so far to not miss any events (Advent Masses, Reconciliaton, Immaculate Conception, Guadalupe, Giving Trees, Holiday Meals, Mary's Place, Shelters and Outreach Ministries ). I just had to sleep late and wake up early to share my reflections -- and Yeah! It's manageable I think.

My biggest focus this year has been the Society of St Vincent de Paul Conference that my parish had restarted last Spring. This outreach ministry is so important in my heart. It is an opportunity to reach out to the least of our brothers and sisters. Although this ministry has been in service to the poor since 1833 in Paris, today, it's still alive and growing due to the tremendous needs in our world. I have been blessed to partake in this mission.

Last Saturday, I made some home visits. This year, we had enough donations from our church that we were able to give out christmas gift cards to our neighbors. A couple of our visits stood out and affected me more than the usual. First a mother with seizures and her 15 year old son with the same condition live in a 1-bedroom apartment with very few furnitures. She wanted some rental assistance this month because of medical bills. She's trying to look for another job. Her son plays football but because of his recent seizures, he might not be able to play again and he's "bummed". As he said that with a smile he's happy that he has a place to live in and that he has good grades. We gave him a small christmas gift card and he suddenly started jumping in joy and reached out to hug me. As we walked away from their home, I felt my heart flutter in hope as we walked on to the next home visit.

Our last visit caught me stunned, speechless and sobbing. We did not sat long enough with this disabled senior man living in a subsidized housing in Belltown. When he opened his door he immediately said :
" I don't need your help this month, as I can still pay my rent. I'll just be broke this month. Give it to someone who really needs it. I'll be ok."

All I can say was " OH, OK". I handed him a gift card and said Merry Christmas then he closed his door saying this is great, Thank You and God Bless You.

Boom !!!

As I sobbed on the way back home...

As a catholic, it's hard to imagine a life without Hope. Hope is an inspiration for me to continue to try the best I can to live my life as Christ had taught us. Hope is a saving grace as we carry on his teachings and example for his promise of Eternal Life. On this season of hope, all I can try if to open the manger in my own heart for the coming of Christ. He came to this world in the midst of the poorest, the outcasts, the shepherds and animals. He is there in the least of our brothers and sisters.

Have a Blessed Advent.

To donate to SVDP Society - click on the link below

https://svdpseattle.org/give-today/

Downtown Seattle