The Wailing Wall and the Visitation

Hello everyone! First, I want to thank all those who have posted comments. I enjoy reading your impressions and knowing you are benefitting from this little effort to share my experiences. If you have any questions please let me know. If I can answer them I will.
Today we were able to sleep in a bit. That turned out to be a blessing. Last night I mentioned that I was probably the last one up. While I was writing for the blog the hotel receptionist (very nice guy named Pierre - a Roman Catholic Palestinian) offered me coffee. I very rarely turn down coffee. Well, it turned out this coffee was a little stronger than I expected and I could not sleep for a while once I was done with the blog. I was glad the wake up call was not until 7:30 a.m.!
Our first desitination this morning was the Wailing or Western Wall. This wall marks one of the boundaries of the Temple that was destroyed in the year 70 A.D. by the Romans. At that time there were also walls on two other sides. The Western Wall is the only one remaining from what I understand. I found this to be an amazing experience. It was loud and well guarded by police and a military presence. We passed through metal detectors in order to get into the area. Men had to wear something on their heads to approach the wall. Women did not have to cover their heads. Following the ancient customs of the Jewish Temple prayer practices, men went to one section of the wall to pray and women to another section. The sections were separated by a wall.
Our guide, Fr. David, mentioned that barmitsvahs usually happen on Mondays. A barmitsvah is a celebration honoring the 13th year of age for a boy. This ceremony marks the time that the boy is now spiritually a young man and is responsible for following God's law. The young man is also charged with learning and spreading the teachings of God where ever he may be. There was great deal of singing and chanting taking place.
We only had about 20 minutes to pray at the wall so I went right to the wall and began to pray. Subjectively, it was a powerful moment. The wall has 'witnessed' 2000 years of religious expression and prayer. I know it is only a wall, however, it symbolizes something much more than it actually is as a wall. For Jewish people, the wall symbolizes the presence of God, or what is left of the Temple in which God maintained a presence for the Israelites. After some time of prayer (during which I prayed with my hands on the wall) I watched and listened to one of the several groups of men who were chanting in the courtyard. They were singing with much passion, exuberance and seriousness. I was very edified. It reminded me of Gregorian Chant, except it was louder and more exurberant. It seemed to me to be an impassioned plea for God's help as well as worship of God.
My prayer while I was at the wall was primarily asking God for Mercy for this area and the whole world. God's Divine Mercy is the only solution for the deep and dreadful divisions we see in the human family. You may know that it is customary to leave some kind of prayer on a small piece of paper in a crack in the wall. I looked around for a place to put my prayer in a crack, but they were all filled. I noticed a crack about 9 - 10 feet up. I grabbed a plastic chair and asked a Jewish man nearby if he would hold the chair while I put my prayer in the crack. He did not know English and I quickly figured out that he did not want to be any where near me standing on a plastic chair:)!
However, another Jewish man from London (who of course was fluent in English) came over to help. I was able to reach, stretching on my toes on the plastic chair, to get my prayer in a crack in the wall. My prayer at the wall was for God's Mercy for this area and the whole world. I asked for this special grace through our Blessed Mother.
After the Wailing Wall we went to the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu (Latin for cock crows). This church marks the spot of Caiphas' house. After Jesus was arrested at Gethsemane, he was first taken to Caiphas. He was falsely accused of blasphemy and convicted of the charge. He was then held in a pit while waiting to be sent to Pontius Pilate because the Jewish leaders wanted Him to be crucified. It was at this place that Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times. Jesus had foretold Peter that he would do this before the cock crowed three times. Even though Jesus had done this, Peter still denied Jesus and after his thrice denial of Jesus he wept bitterly and repented of his sin. We were able to walk on the very same steps on which Jesus walked on as He approached the house of Caiphas. We were also able to go down into the pit where Jesus was held for some hours before He was sent to Pontius Pilate. We walked down into the pit on stairs, but Jesus would have been lowered down through a hole in the floor (that can still be scene), likely by a rope, and left there by Himself in that dark room without a way out. He had to come out by the same way. It was a very somber experience.
I offered Holy Mass asking God for Mercy and forgiveness for the whole world (just as He showed to Peter). I prayed for all of you and myself as well.
After the visit to the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu, we had a nice buffet lunch at a restaurant recommended by the bus driver.
We then boarded the bus and went to a place that lifted our hearts: the town of Ein Karim and the place of Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth! The holiness of the place was definitely palpable. The bishop asked me to lead the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as we slowly walked up the hill to the place of the Visitation. We seemed to be present when Mary greeted Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist lept in her womb. We listened to the Gospel reading of the Magnificat at the place where Mary first spoke the words. The mystery came alive in special way!
The site is now marked by a beautiful church in the custody of the Franciscans. The Franciscans have enjoyed a special role in spreading and defending devotion to the Mother of God over the past 800 years. Inside of the church are a number of paintings depicting the important contributions the Fransciscans and others have made to cooperate with Our Lord in giving her the honor that she deserves.
The time at the Church of the Visitation went by very quickly - just as it has at many of these holy sites. We then boarded the bus and went to the hospital where our fellow pilgrim was recovering (only short distance away). Bishop Sheridan and our guides went in to visit her. The bishop anointed her. The rest of us stayed on the bus and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet. She is recovering nicely, but still needs our prayers.
We then went back to the hotel. We had a few hours before we dinner so I decided to make a quick journey to the Holy Sepulchre. It will be my final visit to Calvary and the Tomb of Jesus during this pilgrimage. I was hoping that I could offer Holy Mass at the altar located on Calvary early tomorrow morning. However, all the times were booked up. I tried (this was actually my second attempt) and after feeling a bit disappointed, I thought: well, if I have a chance to come back again I will offer Holy Mass on Calvary then.
I then went back to my hotel room and meditated for a while. I prayed vespers and then went down for some social time before dinner. We had a wonderful dinner. Onion soup was the first coarse. We also enjoyed some Middle Eastern food - I do not know what it was called. I think one of the items was ground spiced lamb on a shish kabob stick. For desert we had sweetened cheese with a coconut crust/covering.
We also had some great conversations!
Tomorrow we meet the Patriarch of Jerusalem for Holy Mass at 8:15 a.m. After Holy Mass we will receive a Pilgrim Shell from the Patriarch. It is given to members of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre by the Patriarch of Jerusalem when they make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Having the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass with the Patriarch will be very special. I am also looking forward to receiving the Pilgrim Shell.
After this, we will check out of our hotel in Jerusalem and begin our journey into the country of Jordan. I do not know if I will be able to have access to a computer tomorrow, but I will do my best:)!
We will visit the city of Petra. I am not sure what to expect, but I will tell you about it. Please keep on praying for me (only a few coughing spells today) and I will be praying for you! God bless you and your families!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel