Indian Chaplaincy of the Holy Land

Today: Christmas Walk by Indian Chaplaincy in Holy Land

Indian Chaplaincy in collaboration with the Franciscan Custody of Holy Land organizes this annual kind of evangelistic and witnessing program. Please find details below. We organized a similar program last year in Mumbai, which had a great impact. However, this year we cannot do it because of lack of funds. Besides, did you know that we have over 2000 orphans and destitute in Mumbai’s Christian-run institutions alone? We would want to do our little bit for them this year. Do contribute, if you can. More in subsequent emails. We thank the Indian Chaplaincy and those who pray for us and our collaborators, prayer partners, supporters, donors, etc.

Fr.Artemio Vitores  ofm blesses the participants at St.Saviour’s JerusalemH.B. Msgr.Michel Sabbah  celebrates Holy Mass for us in Bethlehem.

CHRISTMAS WALK – 2012
A walking pilgrimage of faith and hope
From  Jerusalem to Bethlehem

Spiritual Significance:

> Recalling and rejoicing over the triple walks: of the holy family, the simple Shepherds and the God -seeking Wise men at the Incarnation of our Saviour
> It is the celebration and proclamation of our faith, hope and joy in the Lord our Saviour in the Land of our Salvation.
>The Indian community will begin their pilgrimage from the spot where Our Lord’s earthly journey had culminated and end it at the cave where it  had commenced .
>As we walk we will pray for Peace on this Land, in the homes and in the hearts of peoples who live here and the Pilgrims who come here. And we pray for you.

Walking pilgrimage makes triple Exercise:

> Physically          helps one for a healthy living
>Psychologically    helps one to build up a focused mind- set,
>Spiritually        helps to renew our faith, relationships and commitments to our  God and to our fellow brethren

Date:       Saturday 15^th of December 2012
8.00 am beginning from the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem
8.15 am Blessings the Participants by Most Rev.Fr.Pierbattista OFM,
The Custos  of the Holy Land at St.Saviour’s Church, Jerusalem
12.00 pm arrival at the Basilica of the Nativity and participation in the Midday
Procession with the Franciscans Friars to Grotto of Nativity
12.30 Holy Mass at St.Catherina’s presided over by
His Beatitude Msgr. Michel Sabbah,   Emeritus Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,

Mode of pilgrimage:  walking, singing of carols, Reading the Gospel accounts of the Birth of    the Messiah and reciting rosaries,
Using: flags, banners, placards, light speakers, (PA)
Small Pauses at:  Jaffa gate,   Mar Elias Monastery,   Border Checkpoint:
Accompanied by: Chaplain, Pastoral committee members, Choir and Volunteers
Participants  around:  800
We assure you our prayers at the Grotto of Nativity during pilgrimage

– Fr.Jayaseelan ofm
Chaplain
Terra Sancta