Jerusalem – Two religious congregations have come up with a novel renewal program for Indian priests and religious visiting the Holy Land during the year of the consecrated life.
“We know that India is one of the countries from where many pilgrims are coming but if they are not guided well, they may not profit well spiritually and in other ways,” says Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church Cardinal Alencherry endorsing the program.
The Salesian Pontifical University – Jerusalem and the Franciscans of the Holy Land, have tailor-made a renewal program for priests and Religious of India to be held in the Holy Land from April 21-to 10 May.
The 20-day package includes 15-day pilgrimage to the holy sites and five days of spiritual retreat in the Franciscan house in Ain Karem, in the compound of the Church of the Birth of John the Baptist and close to the Shrine of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother.
Christened “Hearts Flame (Cf. Lk 24: 32) Walking with Jesus in His Land” is being organized to provide priests and Religious with an opportunity “to re-vitalize their vocation and re-ignite their commitment to mission,” says Salesian Father (Dr) Biju Michael of Salesian University, Jerusalem campus.
Besides expert guides from the Holy Land providing orientation lectures in English, the group will have opportunities for exclusive meetings with Church leaders in the Holy Land.
After a 15-day pilgrimage of the Holy Land, the program will end with an optional five-day spiritual retreat.
The pilgrimage cum retreat costs US$ 2500, including cost of international flight from India. END