Arrived

Everyone was up on time for breakfast, which is a good sign. We met our driver, Judd, who has probably had his Arabic name so slaughtered that he goes by the English name.

Judd dropped us off at the Damascus Gate and we entered the Old City. Since Friday is the Muslim day of rest, it was a bit quieter in the Muslim quarter as we walked down the Khan es Zeit to the Holy Sepulcher for Mass. We arrived on time and met the Franciscan sacristan who is an American from the East Coast and very no nonsense.

Father Battersby offered the Mass of Easter for us, which is the Mass of the site. We were in the Crusaders chapel, which brought to mind memories of so many Christians before us. Two of the more memorable sights of the day were banners at the Coptic and Ethiopian convents with photos of the martyrs killed this year by ISIS. We walked the stations of the crucified Lord, with these reminders of the costs of following Him.

Monsignor Trapp and the Sacred Heart pilgrims.