The document discusses the significance of spiritual pilgrimages, emphasizing their role in deepening one's faith and fostering a sense of community within the Church. It outlines the benefits of pilgrimages, including personal spiritual renewal, encountering local church communities, and discovering the rich history of the faith. Additionally, it invites those unable to physically embark on a pilgrimage to participate spiritually by sending their prayer intentions and engaging with the journey virtually.

1. SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE TO
THE HOLY LAND
with the Pilgrim Center of Hope
a Catholic Evangelization Ministry

2. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
GOD TOUCHES OUR LIVES IN MANY WAYS, but when we seek
Him with fervor, we are making an eternal investment which will
have everlasting rewards.
A pilgrimage is such an investment. It is a journey of faith that not
only benefits us as individuals, but it is also good for the whole
Church, which we know as the ‘Body of Christ’.

3. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
A PILGRIMAGE IS A CALLING, IT IS A VOCATION, and the
response is from the heart and mind, an act of the will. It is with this
in mind that pilgrims traveling on pilgrimages build up the Body of
Christ through prayer, through the participation in daily Mass,
various devotions, as well as visiting with the local church.
Fr. Gerald Vann, in his book, Heart of Compassion, says, “the salvation
of many depends on the prayers and penances of Christ’s faithful and
on the part they play in sharing His work.”

4. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
A PILGRIMAGE TAKES YOU not just around the world, but
inside yourself. Pilgrimages are also very much for the individual
person; because it is a journey of faith with a motive to grow closer
to God and to seek spiritual renewal.

5. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
PILGRIMAGES HAVE spiritual, mental, physical & social
benefits:
• Opportunity for a new vision of one’s life & relationship with God
• Experience an encounter with the Risen Lord
• Discovery of the rich history of the Church
• New cultural experiences
• Occasions to practice acts of charity & develop an attitude of
tolerance and patience
• Encounter the ‘living stones’—visit local church communities while
in the Holy Land.

6. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
THE SEVEN WAYS pilgrimages affect a pilgrim:
• The sense of identity
• The sense of friendship
• The sense of Truth
• The sense of Beauty
• The sense of effort
• The sense of one’s body
• The sense of God

7. WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
THESE ARE EXPERIENCED and made aware during the
pilgrimage. Our human person must be transformed by our
pilgrimage on earth.
Why did God lead His people for a long pilgrimage in the desert?
Why did He choose to start the renewal of humanity with Abraham
and with Mary, by a pilgrimage?
Isn’t it because a pilgrimage is unique experience which involves all
the dimensions of our person: the sense of our identity, the
friendship, the research of truth, the sense of art, the virtues, the
body, the adoration?
Our human person can really be transformed by a pilgrimage.
- Fr. Thomas Joachim, Congregation of St. John

8. WHAT IS A ‘SPIRITUAL
PILGRIMAGE’?
AT THE PILGRIM CENTER OF HOPE, we invite those who
cannot physically journey with us on pilgrimage to unite with us
spiritually on a ‘spiritual pilgrimage.’ Spiritual pilgrimage unites you
with the entire Church, particularly with the local Catholics (whom
we call ‘Mother Church’, since they live where our Faith began)!

9. WHAT IS A ‘SPIRITUAL
PILGRIMAGE’?
AS YOU SEND YOUR PRAYER INTENTIONS TO US, we offer
them at the holy sites. Throughout our journey, we “carry” your
concerns, worries, prayers of thanksgiving, and other intentions as
we retrace the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Each day of the pilgrimage, we invite you to learn about the holy
places that we encounter each day through our website. Meditate
upon the events that took place at each site. Allow the reality of each
place to renew your Faith.
As a spiritual pilgrim, you journey with us in spirit, sharing in the
graces that we receive. Come, journey with us.

10. LET US SET OUT IN THE
FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST!
- Venerable Pope John Paul II