In the Footsteps of the Virgin Mary

33 Pages·2011·4.08 MB·English

Introduction
For the Catholic visitor, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
can be a spiritual journey of reaffirmation and discovery.
To stand within the historical landscape, to visit the holy
places and sites mentioned in the Bible and the shrines
associated with the life and ministry of Jesus, will provide
inspiration for the inner, spiritual journey that each pilgrim
hopes to experience during his or her stay. Following a
specific theme and narrative will help accomplish this.
One such pilgrimage follows in the footsteps of the Virgin
Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was born, lived and whose
life most probably ended in the Holy Land.
Though she experienced the ultimate sorrow of a mother in
witnessing the passion and death of her son, a pilgrimage
in her honor is a joyous event for she was blessed by the
grace of God, as it is written in the Gospel: "Rejoice, you
who enjoy God's favor! The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)1
In experiencing the presence of the Virgin Mary in the
Mystery of Jesus and in the Church, the pilgrim may
choose to visit those sites directly associated with her life,
or to broaden that experience with an expanded pilgrimage
program.
The following information provides a list of holy places
and sites directly associated with Mary, with descriptions
and practical information to help the visitor and pilgrimage
organizer.
Unless otherwise noted, all dates are CE (Common Era)
The proposed itineraries include suggestions for organizing
activities that will give added dimension to a pilgrimage
honoring the Virgin Mary.
2 3
1 All Bible quotations are from the New Jerusalem Bible, 1985.
Table of Contents
Introduction 3 The Twelfth Station 36
Nazareth 6 The Thirteenth Station 37
The Basilica of the Annunciation 8 The Franciscan Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament 37
The Church of St. Joseph 9 Ethiopian Orthodox Chapel of the Four Beasts 37
The Franciscan Museum 9 Church of the Redeemer (German Lutheran) 38
Mary of Nazareth International Center 10 Church of St Mark (Syrian Orthodox) 38
The Spring of the Virgin Mary (Mary’s Well) 10 Jerusalem – Outside the city walls of the Old City
The Synagogue Church (Greek Catholic) 12 City of David National Park 40
Chapel of the Virgin Mary’s Fright 12 The Cenacle - the Upper Room 41
Elsewhere in the Galilee Tomb of King David 42
Sepphoris (Zippori) 13 Hagia Maria Sion Abbey on Mt. Zion – The Dormition Abbey 43
Cana 15 The Tomb of The Virgin 44
Church of the First Miracle The Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period at the 44
Mount Tabor 16 Israel Museum
The Basilica of the Transfiguration 17 Ein Karem 45
The Church of Elijah (Greek Orthodox) 18 Mary’s Spring 45
Lake Kinneret Convent of the Rosary 46
Capernaum 19 Church of the Visitation 46
The Church of the House of St. Peter 20 Church of St. John the Baptist 47
The Synagogue 21 Convent of Notre Dame de Sion 48
The Church of the Twelve Apostles (Greek Orthodox) 21 Public Images of the Virgin Mary in Jerusalem 48
Other sites around Lake Kinneret not directly associated 22 On the Way to Bethlehem
with Mary The Tomb of Rachel 49
Haifa and Mount Carmel Bethlehem*
The Monastery of Stella Maris 25 The Basilica of the Nativity 50
Elijah’s Cave 26 The Milk Grotto 50
Monastery of the Prophet Elijah (Deir al-Muhraka) 27 Abu Ghosh
Jerusalem – The Old City 28 Church of Notre Dame de l’Arche de l’Alliance 51
Ancient Stairs leading to the Hulda Gates 29 The Abbey of St. Mary of the Resurrection
The Western Wall 31 Beit Jamal 52
The Temple Mount 32 Deir Rafat 52
The Church of St. Anne (Bethesda Pool) 32 General Remarks 54
The Via Dolorosa 34 Suggested Itineraries 54
The Fourth Station 34 10-Day Itinerary 55
The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (the Church of the 35 Short 5-Day Itinerary 57
Resurrection, according to the Orthodox tradition) Israel Practical data 58
The Tenth Station 36 Map 59
4 *See page 50 5
The city of Nazareth was in the time
of Jesus a small village. Its residents
were farmers and craftsmen who
probably depended on the nearby
city of Sepphoris for most goods and
services. The villagers led a traditional
rural life, far removed from the influence
of the occupying Romans (an influence
strongly felt in the major cities).
They may also have been a bit removed
from some of the political, social and
religious unrest within Jewish society at
the time.
From archaeological excavations we
know that the ancient town of Jesus’
Tourist Information Center, Nazareth
time was located in the area of the
Opening hours:
NAZARETH present Basilica of the Annunciation Mon-Fri: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am-1:00 pm
and the nearby Church of St. Joseph.
Address: 58 Casa Nova St.
Despite the importance of Nazareth in
Telephone: [phone]
the lives of Jesus and his parents, E-mail: [email protected]
it did not immediately become a place
of Christian pilgrimage. The first shrine
was probably built sometime in the
middle of the 4th century.
The Spanish pilgrim, the Lady Egeria,
who visited Nazareth in 383, was shown
a «big and very splendid cave in which
Mary lived. An altar has been placed
there.”2 This was probably the larger
of the caves enshrined in the grotto of
the present Basilica. In Roman Catholic
tradition, it is the place where the angel
Gabriel appeared to Mary
(Luke 1:26-38).
6 7
2. see: J. Wilkinson, Egeria’s Travels to the Holy Land, 3rd
edition, Warminster: Aris & Phillips, 1999.
The Basilica Opening hours: The Church
Daily 8-11:45 am, 2-6 pm
of the (winter until 5 pm). of St. Joseph
To schedule Mass:
Annunciation
Please contact 04-6572501
Accessibility:
Built in 1960-69, the present Basilica of the Steep climb from street. By popular tradition, this church is sometimes Opening hours:
Wheelchair accessible.
Annunciation is the largest Christian sanctuary in the associated with the carpentry workshop of Joseph. Daily 8-11:45 am, 2-6 pm
The western facade and the
Middle East. Designed by the architect Giovanni Another tradition makes this the location of the home (winter until 5 pm).
lower level of the Church can be
Muzio, it is built on two levels: an upper and lower of the Holy Family upon their return from Egypt. Telephone:
accessed from the main gate.
church. The lower church follows the outline of the The present church, built in 1914, follows the outline 04-6572501
The southern facade and the
Accessibility:
12th-century Crusader cathedral (a nave, flanked by of an earlier medieval structure (the Crusader period
upper facade can be accessed
Steep climb from street.
two aisles), and partly reconstructs the eastern apses; from the upper gate (the exit Church of the Nutrition) and includes elements of an
Wheelchair accessible.
a lower level enshrines the Byzantine grotto, within next to St. Joseph’s Church). even earlier Roman/Byzantine baptistery.
Parking:
which are three chapels that are the liturgical focal Parking: No parking available An underground cave and chamber hewn from the
A parking lot is situated next to
points of the entire building. at the Basilica. A parking lot bedrock contains silos as well as mosaic fragments.
the Tourist Information Center.
The upper church serves the local Roman Catholic is situated next to the Tourist The cave serves as a crypt.
parish. The large dome above the nave reaches a Information Center.
height of 60 meters. It was designed to represent a The Franciscan Museum
white lily, one of the iconographic symbols of the
Virgin Mary. On the walls of the nave are mosaics that
were donated by different Catholic communities from
This small museum adjacent to the Basilica of the Opening hours:
around the world.
Annunciation displays finds from the excavations of the Daily 9-11:45 am, 2-5:30 pm.
The entire basilica is filled with Christian symbols and
Grotto of the Annunciation and the surrounding area of There is a small admission fee.
related inscriptions. The western facade of the Church
ancient Nazareth. The most impressive artifacts are the Telephone: [phone]
which is the main entry is pyramidal, and at its apex is a
“capitals of Nazareth”, beautifully sculpted Crusader Guided Tours:
statue of Jesus. On the facade are also inscriptions and
Can be arranged with advanced
capitals with Christian scenes rendered with great
sculptural reliefs representing principles of the Christian booking.
artistry. They are considered to be amongst the greatest
faith and emphasizing the importance of Jesus’ birth. Accessibility: Steep climb from
of their kind in the world. They were evidently buried
The southern facade is dedicated to the Virgin Mary street. Wheelchair accessible.
and hidden away during the Mamluk conquest of the
and her statue tops the wall. The prayer Salve Regina Parking: No official parking at
13th century and were never actually utilized as column
appears on this facade and the word Ave surrounds the site. A parking lot is situated
the entrance. Twelve sculptured reliefs that represent capitals. They were discovered at the turn of the 20th next to the Tourist Information
century during renovations of the then existing church Center.
important events in Mary’s lifetime decorate the doors.
building.
8 9
Mary of Nazareth Opening hours: As mentioned, the actual source of the spring is 150 Church of St. Gabriel
Call for current information.
meters distant, in the nearby Church of St. Gabriel opening hours:
International Center Telephone/Fax: [phone]
(Greek Orthodox; also called the “Orthodox Church Mon- Sat 8 am-12 pm,
Accessibility:
of the Annunciation” and the “Church of the Well”). 1-5 pm.
Steep climb from the street.
Sunday: Telephone in advance.
According to the apocryphal Protoevangelium of James,
Parking:
Telephone: [phone]
Currently being developed in a complex of buildings across NOo poeffinciianl gp ahrokiunrgs a: t the site. A the angel Gabriel first appeared to Mary when she was
Accessibility:
from the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Center invites paCrakliln fgo rl octu irsr esnittu iantfeodrm naetxiot nto. the drawing water from the well, and this may be the origin of
No difficulties. Steps lead down to
“pilgrims and tourists to discover the Mystery of the ToTuerliestp Ihnfoonrme/aFtiaonx :C 0e4n-t6e4r.6 1266 the Orthodox identification of this place as the location of
the lower chapel of the spring.
Accessibility:
Virgin Mary who leads us to Jesus...” The program will the Annunciation. The present building was constructed
Parking: Not available.
Steep climb from the street.
include a multi-media presentation. A number of churches in 1750 and incorporates the walls of a Crusader
Parking:
of various denominations are partners in the project. church. Remains of an older Byzantine church have
No official parking at the site.
In December 2009, archaeologists excavating the also been found. The spring flows through the crypt
A parking lot is situated next to
courtyard of the Center discovered the remains of a which can be reached via a staircase.
the Tourist Information Center.
modest family dwelling dating of the 1st-century period. The church features a copy of an icon painted by early
The four rooms, courtyard and cistern give an idea of what 15th-century Russian master Andrei Rublev. The icon
Jesus’ boyhood home may have looked like. The find is shows the Three Angels in Mamre who give Abraham
now being preserved as the focal point of the new Center. the news that his wife Sarah will bear a child.
In Christian tradition, three angels are seen as a
The Spring of the Virgin
representation of the Trinity. The tradition emphasizes
Mary (Mary’s Well) the similarities in faith between the Virgin Mary and
Abraham -- “Just like the Patriarch of the People of
God, so too Mary, during the pilgrimage of her filial and
maternal fiat, ‘in hope believed against hope’.”3
The Spring of the Virgin Mary (Mary’s Well)
This recently rebuilt public fountain is fed by a spring
originating in the area of the nearby St. Gabriel’s
Church (Greek Orthodox). The fountain dates from the
medieval period. The spring itself seems to have been
the only constant water source within the ancient town,
and one can be fairly certain that Mary drank from this
well and that from this source she provided water for
the Holy Family. The site is sacred to both Christians
and Moslems, and is accessible at all hours.
3 Pope John Paul II, Encyclical on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the
10 Life of the Pilgrim Church, 25 March 1987 11
Opening hours:
The Synagogue Church Sepphoris (Zippori)
Call for current information.
(Greek Catholic) Telephone/Fax: [phone]
Accessibility:
Steep climb from the street.
Parking:
According to tradition, this 12th century chapel marks NOo poeffinciianlg p ahrokuinrgs a: t the site. A The ruins of the city of Sepphoris (Heb., Zippori) are
the site of the synagogue in Nazareth where the paMrkoinn g– lSoat tis 8 s aitmua-t1e2d pnmex, t2 t o- 5thpem . located 6 km northwest of Nazareth on a hill rising above
young Jesus studied, prayed and later preached ToTuerliestp Ihnfoonrme:a 0tio4n-6 C5e6n8t4e8r.8 the Bet Netofah Valley. It was the administrative center of
Fax: [phone]
(Luke 4:16-27). the Lower Galilee from the time of the Second Temple to
Accessibility:
The sanctity of the site may predate the Crusader the 4th century. According to an early-church tradition,
Possibly limited due to steps.
period, and it is possible that this is the “synagogue” it was here that Mary was born and the place her parents
Parking: Not available.
reported by a 6th-century Italian pilgrim (the lived. At the foot of the ancient city, a Crusader church
anonymous Pilgrim of Piacenza). was built in the 12th century dedicated to Sts. Anne and
The sanctuary has been in the care of the (Uniate) Joachim, Mary’s parents. The Church is in ruins today
Melkite Greek Catholic Church since 1771. and only the eastern wall of the sanctuary survives.
The site belongs to the modern Franciscan Monastery
of St. Anne and Joachim.
Elsewhere in
the Galilee
Chapel of the
Nearby are the remains of a 6th-century synagogue that
Virgin Mary’s Fright has a mosaic containing seven panels with dedications in
Hebrew and Greek, and a carved stone lintel with a Greek
inscription commemorating the building’s completion and
the names of the donors. A separate road leads to the
On the southeastern outskirts of Nazareth, near the Accessibility: National Park of Ancient Sepphoris (admission fee).
intersection of Highways 60 and 75, lie the ruins of a Entails a walk up a steep Archaeological and other historical evidence suggests
small Franciscan chapel built in 1876 to commemorate hillside trail. that the city with its mixed Jewish and Gentile population
the tradition that it was from this place that Mary was a model of co-existence not only in the time of Mary,
witnessed the attempt by irate townspeople to throw but well into the Roman/Byzantine period.
Jesus off the cliff (Luke 4:29-30). The site provides a Sepphoris is important in Judaism as the place where,
wonderful view of the city and the Jezreel Valley to at the beginning of the 3rd century, the Mishnah (the
the east. compilation of oral traditions in Jewish religious law)
was collected and codified under the leadership of
Rabbi Yehudah the Prince. A Jewish quarter has been
excavated in the upper city and many ritual baths have
12 been found. 13
On the other side of the hill, a large, luxurious Roman Opening hours: Cana
villa was discovered with one of the most beautiful April-Sept 8 am-5 pm,
mosaic floors in Israel. It bears pagan motifs on the Oct-March 8 am-4 pm.
life of Dionysus. A little below the villa, a Roman Telephone: [phone] Tradition identifies this town, located not far from Opening hours:
Fax: [phone] Nazareth, with the Cana mentioned in the Gospel of Mon-Thurs 8 am - 12 pm,
theatre was found. The lower city is notable for its
Accessibility: Saint John “On the third day there was a wedding at 2-5 pm (summer until 6 pm).
many mosaics in the public and private buildings that
The lower city is accessible to all. Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Saturday 8 am - 12 pm.
were built along wide and well-paved avenues. Best
The synagogue can be reached Jesus and his disciples had also been invited.” (John Closed to tourists on Sunday
known among them is the Nile House that has many by special elevator. The upper 2:1-2) Cana became famous because, as the Evangelist afternoon.
pagan motifs. city is reached by a steep trail Telephone: [phone]
tells us, it is the scene of the first miracle of Jesus,
One can visit the impressive and large water system with steps, but there is a special Accessibility:
where he turned the water into wine (John 2:3-9).
located at the east of the site, next to the main vehicle (free of charge but to No difficulties other than the
“Mary is present at Cana in Galilee as the Mother of
entrance to the Park. be reserved in advance) for the stairs down to the crypt.
disabled. Private vehicles for the Jesus and in a significant way she contributes to Parking:
disabled can be permitted with ‘the beginning of the signs’” (John 2:11).4 Available within walking
advance notification. Cana is also known for two other events. The first distance.
Parking: concerns Nathanael (St. Bartholomew), who initially
Available at the Visitor’s Center. doubted Jesus and later became one of his disciples.

The Visitor’s Center located near the entrance to the He is thought to have been a resident of the town, and
Park provides an introductory movie and a model of a church, named after him, was built at the place where
the ancient city. by tradition he first encountered Jesus. (This church is
The fortress at the top of the site displays a small only open to the public on August 24).
exhibition of archaeological finds and a great view of The second event to take place in Cana was when
the entire area. Jesus healed the son of an official (John 4: 46-54).
This episode is sometimes seen as Jesus’ first outreach
to the Gentiles and was, according to the Gospels, the
second miracle he performed.
The two towers of the Franciscan Church of the First
Miracle are said to represent the bride and the groom.
Inside are large jars commemorating the miracle.
Ancient architectural elements, possibly of a synagogue,
are incorporated into the church. These include an
Aramaic inscription in mosaic. Steps lead down into a
cave-crypt.
14 15
4. Pope John Paul II, Encyclical BVM.
Mount Tabor The Basilica of the Opening hours:
Daily (including Sunday):
Transfiguration
8 am -12 pm, 2-5 pm.
No need to pre-arrange visit.
No admission fee.
Since the 4th century, Mount Tabor has been The Basilica of the Transfiguration and the adjoining Mass: Mass should be pre-
identified as the traditional site of the transfiguration Franciscan monastery and hospice are located on the arranged via the Franciscan
of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13 and Luke top of Mount Tabor, amid remains of Byzantine and Pilgrims’ Office in Jerusalem
9:28-36). Crusader churches and monasteries. The present Telephone: [phone]
The mountain is first mentioned in the accounts of structure was built in 1924. The design of architect Fax: [phone]
Deborah and Jael, that “Most blessed of women” Antonio Barluzzi follows the general ground plan of the
(Judges 5:24). The description of Deborah, who earlier Byzantine church. The crypt, below the central
“…arose, mother of Israel” (Judges 5:7), is paralleled apse, commemorates the location and the event of the
in Catholic Church’s view that the Virgin Mary is the Transfiguration.
mother of the faith community. Flanking the main door of the church are two chapels
So too, is the praise for Jael in the Song of Deborah dedicated to Moses and to Elijah, who were present
– “most blessed of women be Jael” (Judges 5:24) at the time of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).
– echoed in the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-54), and in Wall paintings adorn both the chapels. In the Chapel of
Elizabeth’s praise of Mary: “Of all women you are the Moses is a depiction of the Burning Bush, which not
most blessed…” (Luke 1:42). only symbolizes the appearance of God before Moses,
The biblical battle over the Canaanites started at but in Catholic tradition also represents Mary and her
Mount Tabor. There Deborah gathered the men of virginity – “there was the bush blazing, but the bush
Israel and called them to fight in the name of God. was not being burnt up” (Exodus 3:2).
From the Franciscan monastery, one can look
down upon the Jezreel Valley (the plain of Esdrelon),
the ancient scene of battle. Nazareth, to the west,
can also be seen. In the Second Temple period and
later, signal fires were lit atop the mountain to relay
announcements of the beginning of a new month and
the start of the Jewish Festivals.
16 17
The Church of Elijah Opening hours: Capernaum
Daily (including Sunday):
(Greek Orthodox)
8 am - 12 pm, 2-5 pm.
No need to pre-arrange visit.
No admission fee.
The nearby Greek Orthodox Church of Elijah is The site of the ancient fishing village of Capernaum
dedicated to the Prophet Elijah, who was present at Mount Tabor: (Heb. Kfar Nahum, the Village of Nahum) is located
the Transfiguration. In the courtyard are Byzantine Transportation: on the northwestern shore of Lake Kinneret (the Sea
and Crusader remains. The wall surrounding the The summit of Mount Tabor of Galilee). The site has two major highlights: the
compound incorporates elements of a wall built can be reached by small Church of the House of St. Peter, and the ancient
by Jewish defenders during the revolt against the vehicles only, because of the Synagogue.
very narrow, winding road and
Romans in the year 67. The town is mentioned several times in the New
sharp curves. An organized
Testament where it figures prominently in the Gospel
shuttle service (fee) runs from
narratives as the place where Jesus lived during much
the village of Daburiyeh to the
of his ministry in the Galilee. The town is also important
churches.
Advanced booking of the in the Marian pilgrimage. According to the Gospel,
shuttle recommended. Mary accompanied her son to Capernaum:
Telephone: [phone]
Accessibility:
Churches are basically
accessible but the view point Lake Kinneret
and lower crypt are limited
because of steps.
(the Sea of Galilee)
Parking: There is a parking lot
for cars.
“After this he went down to Capernaum with his
mother and his brothers and his disciples, but they
stayed there only a few days.” (John 2:12)
Both Mathew (12:46-50) and Mark (3:31-35) relate an
episode in which Jesus’ mother tried to approach him,
unsuccessfully, because of a large crowd gathered
outside the “home” of Jesus (Mark 3:20), which most
probably refers to the house of Simon, called Peter
(Mark 1:29).
The site of Capernaum was “re-discovered” in 1838 by
the American biblical geographer Dr. Edward Robinson.
In 1894, a portion of the ancient site was purchased
by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and has
been subject to archaeological excavations since 1905.
The site is administered by the Franciscans, who have
carried out the archaeological investigations, and is
open to visitors for an admission fee.
18 19