I visited the Holy Land, maybe 10 years ago. It was a much awaited and a spiritually enriched trip. When we made the trip, it was a time of lot of unrest between Palestine and Israel. There was even a bomb explosion outside our hotel. But nothing dampened our excitement. It was an experience that words cannot explain. We walked, followed the footsteps of Jesus from the Grotto of Nativity to the city of Nazareth to the church of Holy Sepulcher and then to the church of Ascension. It was a unique spiritual experience as we walked “Via Delarosa” (stations of the Cross). My heart throbbed with pain, anguish and spiritual happiness. At times my eyes were filled with tears in places like Agony in the garden. I was relaxed in the place of the wedding site in Cana and experienced much happiness at the Grotto of Nativity, just to name a few. No doubt, these were the most prayerful and beautiful experiences in my life. I think everyone should visit the Holy Land once in their life time and experience the spirituality, that will bring us more closer to our Lord and understand His life and all the events in the Holy Bible. Also we will get a chance to examine our spiritual life more closely. I don’t have any special tips to folks who wish to visit the Holy Land and Holy places in the future but get ready mentally and physically to experience a lifetime of spiritual events.

When we think about once in a lifetime trips, the Holy Land would be on top of the list for most of us. Joseph and Villbeena were no different. That's exactly what they set out to do in 2018 - They traveled to Israel with their three children.

From the time they arrived in Tel Aviv, it was non-stop adventure with their three children - both physical and spiritual. They rented a car and drove to Galilee, Nazareth, Cana and Jordan river, all the while helping themselves to delicious shawarmas and fresh fruit juice.

The time spent in Gethsemane, where Jesus spent the last few days as a free man, was some of the most touching moments for them. They visited the Church of the Agony and got to see a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem. The family of 5 walked all 14 stations of the cross. Wearing the kippah at the Wailing Wall added to their list of unique experiences. When they made it to Bethlehem, it was just in time to celebrate the birthday of their youngest child, Roy. There were so many other experiences that are now forever imprinted in their memories.

The family feels fortunate and blessed to have walked the land where Jesus spent his time on earth.

The Marangoly family visited Fatima during Thanksgiving break in Nov 2017, when the shrine was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the apparitions.

Fatima is one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Fatima, is a Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary based on the Marian apparitions reported in 1917 by three shepherd children in Fatima.

The Marangoly family was able to celebrate Holy Mass in the Chapel of Apparitions. The chapel has been constructed on the site of the very tree next to where Mary appeared. The statue of Mary holds the bullet that hit Pope John Paul ll in his assassination attempt(3rd apparition).

The family witnessed the sight of hundreds of people praying the rosary on their knees on the long path down to the Basilica. The prayer processions with people around the world and the giant rosary are unforgettable experiences. It was truly awe-inspiring and soul stirring to be in the Sanctuary of our Lady of Fatima.

We visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2012. Our primary reason was to see the amazing architecture, rose windows and the famed gargoyles. Once we got into the cathedral however, it was a different story. Despite the crowds of tourists, we did find solitude and solemnity. The beauty and ringing of the bells drew our thoughts to the immense grandeur of GOD and His creations.

Today as we look back on our visit and recall the devastating fire at Notre-Dame in 2019, we pray for its speedy renovation and hope to visit the cathedral again.