Going on pil­grim­age is some­thing we
share with many other religions.

There seems to be a need within our hearts to
journey out in search of God in the places He has
revealed himself. When we journey to the Holy Land
we remem­ber how it is a holy place for Jews, Chris­ti­ans
and Muslims alike. And for cen­tur­ies people have made
their way on pil­grim­age to Jer­u­s­alem and beyond.

Today we join that long line of pil­grims as we go in search
of God who revealed himself in that Land, making it a Holy
Land. We will follow in the foot­steps of Christ Himself,
remem­ber­ing as we walk, what he did and said as he
jour­neyed to the Cross and the empty tomb. In a very real
way we will dis­cover the Living God who has shown his
love for us and the whole world pre­cisely in the
places we will visit.
Be open to the gifts God wants to give
you on this pil­grim­age. Open your eyes
and your hearts to what the Lord wants
to show you. Be ready to be sur­prised
by him.

I pray that each one of us pil­grims will
grow in faith, hope and love for the
Lord who jour­neys with us. As we
return to the diocese, may we be ready
and willing to spread the Gospel of the
Holy Land to the people of our time
and our land.
Arch­bishop Vincent Nichols