We have just had a joyous evening with entertainment from members of the group out on the terrace of the Pilgerhaus. (I did not take photos for fear of spoiling the occasion.) Thanks must go to Fr. Dominic for putting on an intriguing magic show, Rupert, Richard, and Phil for their readings, and Trudie for singing, and leading us all in "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". The finale comprised seven Old Boys of Downside School (Fr. Leo, Fr. Dominic, Simon, Mickey, Rupert, Zak, and Sergio), with guests, Annabelle and Alice, singing the School Song. I was really surprised that they could remember the words!
Today has been a rest day, but despite this, it has been very busy for everyone. We started with a "full works" Mass, including Gregorian Chant, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, next to the German Benedictine Monastery of the Multiplication, where we are staying. Mass was combined with a Memorial Service for Dee, John's fiancee, so it was a very important occasion. Here are some pics, including a couple of the group.

Our day ended on a bit of a sad note, as we said goodbye to our wonderful guide, Khalil. He has been the source of so much amazing information, and inspiration, during our travels. This has been to the considerable benefit of our three priests (especially Fr. Dominic, who has already written a number of future Homilies based on what he has learnt!).
Here is Khalil in action at Capernaum, and a 'photo of him wearing the T-shirt signed by us all!

We have Mass at Capernaum on Monday, but for now, this ruined synagogue is built upon a previous one where Jesus taught.

The final part of our journey today, took us to the far north of the country, in fact, very close to the border of Israel with Lebanon, and Syria. We visited what today is called Banias, but which in Jesus' time, was called Caesarea Philippi. This comprised a complex of temples devoted to the worship of the god, Pan. Worship involved the sacrificial offering of goats into a watercourse at the back of a large cave. This was regarded as the gates to the underworld or Hades, which really unpacks the meaning behind the Biblical passage which I have printed out for you;-

Matthew 16:13-20New International Version (NIV)13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[c] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.”20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

This is the sort of amazing information that you discover on these pilgrimages, that totally changes your understanding of  the Bible. Even if this was considered to be such an awful place, it was very interesting, and beautiful, so here are some pics!

Then came the great excitement of the day - a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee! The water was quite choppy, but we managed to say the Rosary, and had a fishing demonstration, with a net of the kind used in Jesus' time.

Our next stop was the Primacy of Peter, where Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him, and to "Feed my sheep". The Church is constructed on, and is beside, an old Roman jetty, that Jesus may very well have stood upon. The water level of the Sea of Galilee has reduced since those times, so it s now out of the water. Not surprisingly, lunch was St. Peter's fish! Here are some pics for you.

Our day started with a beautiful Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes. Fr. Leo broke with tradition, and instead of a Homily, invited each member of the group to consider which of the Beatitudes spoke to them in that moment. We then divided into twos and threes to discuss our choice. This might sound rather odd, but it worked very well, and in my group with Fr. Jean-Patrice, and Theresa, we had a very interesting discussion. Here are some pics of the Mass and the Church of the Beatitudes.

... and, finally, the Church of St Gabriel, containing Mary's Well. We also managed to join a Baptism!