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| April 2004 |
| Easter season excitement takes on
extra meaning for visitors to the Holy Land |
Gene Young
Managing Editor
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Visiting the Holy Land has had a profound
effect on Julie Cleary, of Sioux Falls. It does not matter that
her pilgrimage to the land that Jesus walked was four years
ago. The experience and images remain fresh for Julie and her
husband, Shawn, especially during the days leading up to Easter
and the Easter season.
“It really was a life changing experience,” said
Julie. “When we were there, it makes everything come alive.
It makes all the Bible stories come alive.”
Cleary gets out her scrap book from her trip several times a
year to reflect and remember her experience. The member of St.
Michael Parish will get it out in advance of an annual visit
to the seventh grade CCD class at St. Michael Parish. Those
students study the Bible and she shares her Holy Land experiences.
Her reminisces take one added importance at this time of year.
“It is especially meaningful now and at Christmas time,”
she said. “It really does come alive. I am sure every
person who was on that pilgrimage was changed in one way or
another. You cannot be that close to where Jesus walked and
not have it change you in some way.
Rita Stevens agrees.
She and Cleary have become great friends since they shared time
during the pilgrimage in 2000.
Stevens agrees that the experience was profound. It impacted
her perception of the life of Jesus. “When we would walk
by the temple and would brush against the stones that he may
have walked by,” she said. “It was like walking
next to Jesus.”
Stevens still marvels at her second Holy Land experience. She
was particularly moved when she visited where tradition holds
Jesus was held after being scourged and before being crucified.
“That really did hit home,” she said. “I remember
that room...it wasn’t covered and it might have been where
he would have been chained to the wall.”
“Just being there and touching the dirt, there is a special
feeling there,” Cleary said. “It almost made you
have a longing to be even closer to your faith. It was just
such a beautiful experience.”
Cleary said she still compares note with Rita Stevens about
their trip and experience. “Everything was so prayerful
and spiritual,” she said. “We enjoyed Mass every
day and received the Eucharist every day. It was powerful.”
Father Pius Mardian, a retired diocesan priest, has traveled
to the Holy Land four times. Each visit was different but each
also brought new insights into the land where Jesus walked and
his faith.
His experiences always began with his own prayer life. “You
definitely get a real sense of faith and revelation by being
there,” he said.
Each of Father Mardian’s trips were different. At times,
he focused more on seeing the sights while during another visit
he spent the bulk of his time in prayer and meditation.
Rita Stevens hopes to travel back to the Holy Land but she is
not sure when..
Julie Cleary also hopes to return.
Until they do, the women plan to do all they can to keep their
Holy Land experience fresh in their mind and lives. |
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