March 27, 2025

Holy Land tour guide traces steps of Jesus for Lenten Day of Reflection

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – Raed Makhouli, a registered tour guide with the Israel Ministry of Tourism, gave a visual presentation of the Holy Land for a Lenten Day of Reflection, for the staff of the Diocese of Springfield, Wednesday, March 26. Makhouli, a Catholic born in Kfar Yasif in Galilee, brought attendees gathered in the Bishop Marshall Center on a journey from Bethlehem to Nazareth, to Jerusalem, Jericho, Galilee, Cana, Capernaum and all of the places where Jesus walked, preached and healed.

“I used to be a high school teacher,” Makhouli told IObserve. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University and taught English as a second language at an Israeli high school for 26 years.

“This is my calling. He called me,” Makhouli said of his job as a tour guide. He has spent a lot of time in the United States in the last few years due to the pandemic and now the war between Israel and Gaza.

He has been asked to do presentations on the Holy Land locally and across the country. He said his Catholic faith has kept him focused.

“I come at this from three aspects,” he said. “First historical, then archeological, and then spiritual, with Biblical references. You go to church and you see things black and white. You go to the Holy Land, and you see it in color,” he said.

Makhouli will be speaking at a Lenten Retreat at Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills, April 9.  The retreat begins with Adoration 10 a.m. followed by Makhouli’s presentation.

A light lunch will be provided by the St. Martha’s Guild. Call (413) 786-8200 Ext. 1 to reserve your seat. 

To purchase his book, “A Spiritual Journey: Following in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ Our Lord,” email ladyrobi@aol.com