Thank you for your support of our seminarians through your generous donation to the Holy Land Pilgrimage. Unfortunately, Israel extended its ban of entry of foreigners and quarantine requirements days before our deacons and alumni priests were scheduled to depart. As a matter of prudence, it became necessary to suspend this year’s pilgrimage.
Though the schedule has changed, our commitment to the Holy Land Pilgrimage is unwavering. We are working with our travel company to ensure that any seminarian or priest who has not been able to partake in this experience due to Covid restrictions will be able to participate in a Holy Land Pilgrimage next year.
In December 2022-January 2023, we intend to provide the deacons in the Class of 2023 with the three-week pilgrimage experience and to offer the Classes of 2021 and 2022 the chance to attend the full pilgrimage or choose an abbreviated, yet impactful itinerary within the trip. The generosity of our Holy Land sponsors gives us the freedom to make this decision and plan accordingly for the future. Thank you!
About the Course
Fr. Charles Samson, Assistant Professor of Biblical Theology
What will each deacon gain during his pilgrimage? Enriched homilies as he has been afforded a deep personal connection with the events and mysteries of Jesus’ life – A deeper understanding of the ministry of Jesus Christ and his own call to serve – A keener sense of Christ’s healing sacrifice at Calvary present in the Mass – New insights in prayer as he envisions the events of the Bible in an entirely new manner – A sense of the living history of the Church, universal and true – Greater awareness of the inter-religious traditions in the Holy Land – A connection with the plight of the Christian people living in the Holy Land.
Fr. Samson’s book, Come and See: A Catholic Guide to the Holy Land (Emmaus Road, 2017) demonstrates his capacity to integrate theology, pilgrimage, and archaeology.
How Can I Help?
- Msgr. Williams Lyons Fund: A bequest from a beloved alumnus established a spiritual formation retreat fund as a reserve if sufficient funds for the pilgrimage are not received each year. If the pilgrimage is fully funded, the Lyons Fund may be used to support other retreats and formation programs. If you wish to leave a legacy like Msgr. Lyons, please consider making a planned gift.
- Convivium: Guests at the annual Convivium Dinner Auction have the opportunity to donate to the Holy Land Experience during the Fund-A-Need.
- Sponsorships: Friends of the Seminary are invited to prayerfully consider financially sponsoring the seminarians’ trip to the Holy Land with a gift online or a check by mail:
