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by Bardeleon Jaddou

Our last night in Ein Kerem was shorter than usual as we all woke up this morning around 6 AM for breakfast. The sisters at Notre Dame of Sion in Ein Kerem have been so accommodating as they woke up extra-early to prepare breakfast for us. After breakfast, we all met in the courtyard with our bags packed as we went off to the Old City in Jerusalem for a truly special Mass.

We were so blessed to celebrate Mass in the Holy Sepulcher next to the site of the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The emotions ran high as we received the Body and Blood of Jesus at the site where he poured out his Body and Blood for us all. I will not forget the Eucharist being elevated by the presider, Monsignor Trapp, while thinking of our crucified Lord being raised up on the cross to die for my salvation.

This pilgrimage is bringing to life the "Joy of the Gospel" as I come to realize that I have been personally saved by Jesus. Following the mass, we walked down Mount Calvary and visited the EMPTY Tomb of Christ. I have seen and believe in the Resurrection as I am a witness of the empty tomb. In the past few days, the tomb has been crowded with pilgrims and tourists, leaving a wait of about 45 minutes to enter into for only a few seconds. This morning, we were blessed to find only a 5 minute wait as we all visited and venerated the tomb.

The rest of the morning was a free day as the guys split up in groups to do as the pleased. Most of the guys went to do their Holy Hour at the Garden of Gethsemani, while some men stayed in the Holy Sepulchre and walked around the city to explore. After a blessed and prayerful morning, we all reconvened at the Holy Sepulchre and made our way for a delicious lunch at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. After lunch, our bus picked us up and we checked into our new quarters in Kyrat Yearim. The rest of the afternoon remained free until evening prayer and dinner. Truly a blessed day.

All of the men remain ever grateful for all of our benefactors as we keep them and all of their intentions in our prayers. We continue to seek to embrace the essence of this pilgrimage to walk in the footsteps of Christ so that we may become true disciples of him.

All for Jesus,

Bardy Jaddou

Bardeleon Jaddou

Bardeleon Jaddou is a first-year Theology seminarian from St. Thomas Chaldean Eparchy

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Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a Christ-centered Catholic community of faith and higher learning committed to forming leaders who will proclaim the good news of Christ to the people of our time. As a leading center of the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart serves the needs of the Archdiocese of Detroit and contributes to the mission of the universal Church.