Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Petra

Hello everyone! We are now in the Crown Plaza just outside of the ancient rock city of Petra. We just finished a wonderful buffet meal that included some local samples (a regional fish and several Mediterranean salads) as well as international selections (Pasta with red sauce and beef tacos:)!).
This morning we started with breakfast and then went to the Latin Patriarch ConCathedral. This was only a few minute walk from where we were staying (Knights Palace) in Jerusalem. We offered Holy Mass when we arrived. After Holy Mass we had an audience with the Latin Patriarch. He presented the members of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre with the Pilgrim Shell in honor of our pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord. It was a beautiful ceremony and the Patriarch was very gracious. The Pilgrim Shell is an outward sign of one's personal commitment, as a member of the order, to defend and promote the place of and real ocurrence of Our Lord's Resurrection from the dead. It also represents that the one who possesses the Pilgrim Shell made a pilgrimage to the Tomb of Jesus - which is one of the major goals members are to try to fulfill.
After the ceremony, we enjoyed a brief reception with the Patriarch. We then went back to the hotel and boarded our bus. We left for the border of Israel and Jordan. Crossing the boarder was easier than I expected. Security was present but not oppressive. Once in Jordan, we boarded a different bus and our bags were transfered by security. A new wrinkle now is that we have a security officer riding with us. He is a kind fellow and I feel safer. Our guide while in Jordan is from Bethlehem (he is a Palestinian Catholic) and has been a guide for 22 years. Fr. David will join us when go back to Israel on Friday.
We spent the afternoon driving south through the country of Jordan to the ancient city of Petra. We traveled by way of King's Highway - the oldest used highway in the world (5000 years old)!
We will go into the Petra tomorrow. It was origianally settle by Beduoins. These are an Arab people who inhabit the country sides of Israel and Jordan and other countries. They are mostly nomads. Petra is unique because it is narrow and long city with caves in the walls where the people would live. It was never conquored by an enemy army because it was so easy to defend. The last army to try was the Greeks in 300 B.C.!
Tomorrow we see Petra and then travel to Mt. Nebo - the place from which Moses saw the promised land near the end of his life (God did not permit Moses to enter the promised land because he offended the Lord by striking the rock twice when giving the Israelites water from the rock). We will celebrate Holy Mass on Mt. Nebo. We then travel to Amman, the capital of Jordan. We will be there for two nights.
That is about all for today. I will hopefully be able to write again tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers and I am praying for you!
God bless you and your families!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel