October 2009

Legatus Pilgrimage “Fun Day”

by Steve Ray on October 18, 2009

The Optional Day is always fun with swimming in the Dead Sea, cable car ride to the top of Masada and camel rides. We have serious business too — studying the Qumran Community and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Mass in Jericho and more. I just ran from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and back. It is 90 [...]

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Legatus Goes to the Mount of Olives & Mount Zion

by Steve Ray on October 17, 2009

Today I led the Legatus group to the sites on the Mount of Olives and on Mount Zion. Taking priests to the Upper Room is always very moving since the three things that swirl around their life like nothing else — Institution of the priesthood, institution of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We [...]

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Crossing the Tiber – EWTN Bookmarks Interview

by Steve Ray on October 17, 2009

To listen to the EWTN Bookmarks interview on Crossing the Tiber with Steve Ray and Doug Keck, click here. This book details the conversion process of Steve and Janet Ray. This book was originally written as a letter to Steve’s Baptist parents to explain to them why he was doing such “a crazy thing” — converting [...]

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Nine Hearty Souls Join Me for a Run Around Jerusalem

by Steve Ray on October 16, 2009

Nine members of the Legatus group pilgrimage joined me today for a one-hour run around the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. It was 90 degrees but we had a great time, got some good exercise and saw a lot of amazing things. What a great way to see a city! Watch the video. [...]

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Legatus Pilgrimage: “He is Risen Indeed!”

by Steve Ray on October 15, 2009

Ouch! The wake-up call came at 4:45 AM and no one complained. We entered the Old City to pray the Via Dolorosa before the streets are full of vendors, carts and other distractions and congestion. We arrived at the Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in time for our 6:30 PM [...]

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“Up to Jerusalem!”

by Steve Ray on October 14, 2009

No one goes “down” to Jerusalem, even when traveling south from Galilee to the Holy City. In biblical terms God dwells in Jerusalem and therefore it is the highest place on earth. You always go UP to Jerusalem. It is used over 20 times in the bible Today we started with a visit to Tabgha [...]

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Am I Sick? Naw, I Don’t Think So

by Steve Ray on October 14, 2009

The lady at the pet store told me I was a sick individual. I didn’t think so, but then again I am biased and think I’m OK – and my wife tends to agree with me. The whole thing started because of a small hobby of mine. When I was a little boy my dad bought [...]

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Legatus Pilgrimage: “You are Peter!”

by Steve Ray on October 13, 2009

Today was another banner day with beautiful weather and great events. Every one of the Legates are doing well and enjoy this trip immensely. Today we had Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Then we drove north to the Lebanese border to [...]

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St. John of the Cross: Contemplative or Charismatic

by Steve Ray on October 13, 2009

A great article by Ralph Martin, Professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, author and President of Renewal Ministries. One paragraph from Ralph Martin’s article: This experience opened in me a great desire to read all of St. John of the Cross, all of Teresa of Avila, all of Therese the Little Flower and to really [...]

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Legatus Pilgrimage: Tabor, Cana, Nazareth

by Steve Ray on October 12, 2009

First, I want to thank Legatus for trusting us to bring their group on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Everyone is very pleased. Second, I want to thank Corporate Travel (in USA) and Shepherds Tours (Israel) for working with me to arrange such an incredible and trouble-free trip. It is all about teamwork and this [...]

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Legatus Has Arrived in Israel!

by Steve Ray on October 11, 2009

All is well. Everyone from the Legatus group has arrived safely and all was organized and efficient. We had Mass in a Jewish subdivision of Nazareth in a quaint little Franciscan chapel called the Church of St. Gabriel the Archangel. Our priest and spiritual director is Fr. Vincent Nagle, the secretary for the Patriarch of [...]

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Is this a Christian Nation?

by Steve Ray on October 11, 2009

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Holy Cross Pilgrimage: Masada Day, Part II

by Steve Ray on October 11, 2009

In this video we finish up Friday — the Optional Day — where we went to Qumran, Masada, Jericho, Dead Sea and Bethlehem for a special dinner. THIS video finishes up that day with Mass at Jericho, the Dead Sea and the Passover Lamb and dancing in Bethlehem. Enjoy! Here is the last day — [...]

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