Month: March 2019
A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a very meaningful and solemn experience for Catholics. They witness the scriptures come to life while visiting the very places where Jesus lived, and died. While the Holy Land is saturated with important and remarkable Holy sites, it is also rich with Israeli and Palestinian culture! To compliment your pilgrimage experience, you will have opportunities to bear witness to these cultures during your time there.
One extraordinary activity to consider is a Camel Ride! Set against the majestic backdrop of the Mt. of Temptation, located about five (5) kilometers west of the city of Jericho. This frequently visited site in the Holy Land, is where Jesus was tempted by the devil during his 40-Day fast.
Camels are typically about six (6) feet tall at the shoulder, and about seven (7) feet tall at the hump. Camels can weigh up to two (2) tons, and can live for forty (40) to fifty (50) years. It is estimated that humans in that region of the world may have domesticated camels as early as 3,000 BC. Since that time, camels have been an important means of desert travel. Camels are also suitable for riders of all ages!
During your 206 Tours Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, all pilgrims are offered the opportunity for a short camel ride at the base of the Mount of Temptation. Over the years, we have had thousands of adventurous Pilgrims try it out – men, women, old, young, Nuns & even Priests have tried their hand at Camel riding. See some of our favorite moments below:
NEW Pilgrimage:
If you’re interested in exploring camel riding further, you can even go on an exciting camel ride through the desert in Wadi Rum, Jordan. On our tour here, experience this other-worldly, vast and echoing, wind-swept, burnt orange landscape that is Jordan’s largest desert, all while on camel back!
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent brings a renewed period of reflection, repentance, and prayer for all Catholics. Ash Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation, in which we are asked to fast, attend Mass to receive our Ashes, and receive Reconciliation. (In some years, Ash Wednesday may fall in February).
St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
Sometimes called, the “Apostle of Ireland”, St. Patrick is the main Patron Saint of Ireland as he is regarded as the founder of Christianity in the country. Believed to be alive in the 5th century, St. Patrick was born in Ireland before being captured by Pirates and put to work in Ireland. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin was founded in 1191, and is the country’s National Cathedral, and tallest church. St. Patrick’s Day is a Holy Day of Obligation in Ireland, and Dublin throws a large city-wide parade each year. New York City has hosted a St. Patrick’s Day parade every year since 1756. It has grown to an average of 150,000 marchers, who walk by the beautiful NYC St. Patrick’s Cathedral, waving t some two (2) million spectators.
St. Joseph’s Day – March 19
This Feast day celebrates St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Joseph’s Day is also the Patronal Feast Day for Poland and Canada, as well as being noted as Father’s Day in several countries – as Joseph was Jesus’s legal father. Around the world, many Catholics honor this day by setting “Saint Joseph’s Table” in their homes decorated with holy cards, candles, food, and the color red.
In some ways, a Lenten journey can be compared to a Pilgrimage. In both, we carry specific intentions in our hearts, over a period of time, that are dedicated to enacting spiritual change within our lives. On both, we prayerfully walk towards God, not perfect, but as we are – with all our doubts, flaws, crisis, sickness, curiosity, adventure, faith, and thankfulness. Both can be challenging, as we leave behind a few of life’s luxuries and step out of our comfort zones. Every physical step we take on a Pilgrimage, and spiritual step we take in our Lenten Journey, are steps away from the person we were and steps towards God and towards the improved person we are working to become.
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F.A.Q.:
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Simply write a post on your Facebook wall detailing your favorite Lenten Journey or Pilgrimage with 206 Tours. Make sure to tag @206tours so that we receive your entry
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Explain your favorite Lenten Journey or Pilgrimage, What intentions did you carry, and How you were changed.
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