July 24, 2019

Father Savage and Sister Chris Clark to lead Holy Land pilgrimage

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

The gold-covered Dome of the Rock at the Temple Mount complex is seen in this overview of Jerusalem’s Old City Dec. 6, 2018. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill) 

SPRINGFIELD – A pilgrimage to the Holy Land this November is offering a unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. 

“A Spiritual Journey in the Holy Land – Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus” will take place Nov. 17-28 under the spiritual direction of Sister Chris Clark, Daughter of the Heart of Mary, accompanied by Father Warren Savage, spiritual life director and Catholic chaplain at Westfield State University.

During the 12-day journey, pilgrims will be called to give thanks as they “join us, walking in the footsteps of Jesus, listening in the heart of Mary, taking time to feel the vitality of the Word within, around, and among us. Pilgrims will be invited to enter into the major points of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection,” said Father Savage.

The itinerary is designed so that pilgrims will feel present in living biblical history. Those who are married will be invited to renew marriage vows at the Franciscan Chapel in Cana. There will be opportunity to take a “swim” in the Dead Sea. And pilgrims will also walk the Via Dolorosa and visit the Upper Room. 

Among the highlights will be stops in Nazareth, Capernaum, Tabgha, Mount Tabor, Mount Carmel, Jerusalem, Jericho, Gethsemane, and the Sea of Galilee.

The group size is limited and there is an Aug. 12 registration deadline.

“A pilgrimage is at once a personal and collective act of respect and trust. All will be lifted daily in reflection and Mass celebrating the God who reveals godself in Scripture, in the things of creation, and through our shared humanity,” said Sister Clark.

“The pilgrims can expect to have their faith and hope in God strengthened, be spiritually uplifted and inwardly transformed in the Holy Land, visiting the places where Jesus lived, walked with his disciples, preached, prayed, healed the sick and served the poor,” said Father Savage.

The all-inclusive cost is around $4-4.5K. Visit https://www.gocatholictravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Clark-Holy-Land-2019-Brochure.pdf or contact Sister Clark at cclark.mundial@gmail.com or 413-687-1858.