We began the day at the ancient church of the Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives, the site where pilgrims from Galilee to Jerusalem stayed when they came to the Holy City.  Jesus would have stayed with Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany, a village on the mount, while he was in the city. The great prayer taught by Jesus is translated into the many languages of the world along the walls of the church,  even Cherokee.

There are panoramic views of the city as you walk down the mountain to the Garden of Gethsemani. We stopped at the chapel of Dominus Flevit, in English “The Lord wept.” Then we walked through the garden with its old olive trees.

Mass followed at the Franciscan chapel of the Cenacle on Mount Sion, where we remembered the mystery of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

Lunch, of course, at a kibbutz, then we went to Ein Karem to visit a lovely old church where traditions says John the Baptist was born.

Now, supper and an early rising to go to the western wall and Mass along the way of the Stations of the Cross at the Sisters of Sion chapel.