The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Catholic Pilgrimages & Spiritual Journeys to the World’s Holiest Sites with 206 Tours.

2018 Equestrian order of The Holy Sepulchre Pilgrimage to The Holy Land

EOHS Knights and Dames in the Holy Land – view more photos in the slideshow below.

 

In December of 2018, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Eastern Lieutenancy made a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Her Excellency Vicki Downey, and spiritual leaders Chorbishop John Faris and Fr. Michael Saharic. The group embarked on a spiritual journey through many significant and deeply holy sites. We at 206 Tours consider ourselves so blessed to have been given the opportunity to operate several Pilgrimages for the Order.

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre is a Roman Catholic Order of Knighthood that has operated under the protection of the Pope since the Middle Ages. Its mission for, almost a millennium, is to strengthen Catholic beliefs and values; to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land; and to protect the rights of Christians in the Holy Land.

Originally founded by Godfrey of Bouillon in 1099, this internationally recognized order of knighthood now has 30,000 Knights and Dames from all over the world. Our 206 Tours President and Founder, Lady Milanka Lachman LC*HS, her husband Sir Charles Lachman KC*HS, and her daughter, Vice President of 206 Tours, Sandra Lippold, LHS, are all honored to be supporters and members of the order. Sandra and her young daughter embarked on this very special Pilgrimage.

The Pilgrimage began with a full day tour to Acco and Mukhraha with Mass at Magdala. On the second day, the Order visited the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well in Nazareth. It was a very special way to celebrate advent with Mass at the Church of the Annunciation.  Married Pilgrims were given the opportunity to renew their wedding vows at the Franciscan Wedding Church in Cana.

The next day the group explored the theme of the Ministry of Christ in Galilee starting with Mass in Capernaum and visiting the museum exhibiting the oldest venerating sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The group celebrated the Liturgy at the Mount of Beatitude where Jesus gave his great Sermon on the Mount before heading to Tabgha where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 people and ending the day with a beautiful boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Reflecting on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity, the group celebrated Mass at the site of the Transfiguration, Mt. Tabor. On this packed day, the group also visited Jerusalem, renewed their baptismal vows in the Jordan River, viewed the Mount of Temptation and explored Jericho.

The group had the extremely rare opportunity to tour the Alasqa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock – the golden roof of which has become an iconic symbol of Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is the Islamic holiest place of prayer, as it covers the sacred Rock where Muhammad prayed. The Dome of the Rock is also sacred to Jews as it is the place where Abraham prepared to offer his son Isaac, and to Christians as it is where baby Jesus was presented in the Temple; where He was found among the teachers when He was 12; where He prayed and taught. After this short tour, the group visits the Church of Visitation in Ein Karem, Jerusalem where Mary visited Elizabeth, mother of St John the Baptist and where Mary recited one of the greatest Marian hymns Song of Praise, the Magnificat. At the Israel Museum the group saw the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display.

While reflecting on the themes of the Visitation and Nativity, the group journeyed to Bethlehem and stopped for a visit to the Holy Child Program run by Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. After celebrating Mass at Saint Jerome, the Order spent the afternoon at Shepherd’s Fields.

 

Members of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre pictured outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where they made solemn entry into the Tomb of Jesus Christ.

 

Towards the end of the Pilgrimage, the Order visited the Mount of Olives, Pater Noster shrine, the Dominus Flevit church, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony, and celebrated Mass the Church of All Nations. While reflecting on Palm Sunday, His Agony, and the Last Supper, they continued to the Church of the Assumption, and commemorated the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. The Knights and Dames, of the group, were excited to receive the Pilgrim Shell from the Most Reverend, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the current Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerulsalem. On this very special day, the order made Solemn Entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. You’ll see in the images below; the group’s youngest Pilgrims led the procession.

The Knights and Dames also traveled to Deir Rafat Monastery – dedicated to “Our Lady of Palestine”, the Patroness of the Order. Established in 1927, the facade in the Convent Church bears the Latin inscription “Reginae Palaestinae”, meaning “to the Queen of Palestine”. It carries a six (6) meter statue of the Virgin Mary, and the Church ceiling is decorated with a painting showing angels carrying banners with the first words of the “Hail Mary” prayer in 280 languages.

Finally, on the last day of their Pilgrimage, the group commemorated His Crucifixion walking the Via Dolorosa beginning at dawn at the Antonia Fortress, following the Road to Calvary, reflecting on the Stations of the Cross and celebrating Solemn Mass at the Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

This special Pilgrimage was sure to be a life-changing experience to all present. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share these beautiful photos that so well document their spiritual journey. Please enjoy the slideshow below showing highlights form the 2018 Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

 

Watch the slideshow below to view stunning photos from this special Pilgrimage!

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The Way. The Truth. The Life.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Catholic Pilgrimages & Spiritual Journeys to the World’s Holiest Sites with 206 Tours.

Lost Luggage: What To Do If This Happens to You

You’ve probably heard on the news – lost luggage is the newest hurdle in travel. More luggage is being lost than ever before partially due to understaffed airlines, airports, and transfer organizations.

We don’t wish lost luggage on anyone – it’s an unfortunate inconvenience that is sometimes part of travel. Tour Operators & Agencies, like 206 Tours, do not have special tracking tools, capabilities, or access to airline tracking programs. 206 Tours will of course do everything in our power to assist (make calls, send representatives to airports, file claims, etc.) In other words, the best we can do is call/email/file claims, just like you can. So if your luggage is lost, it is best that you work directly with the airlines in person, on the phone, or online.

206 Tours highly recommends that all pilgrims mentally and physically prepare for this situation. If your luggage is lost, the bottom line is:

  • be patient and courteous to airline staff
  • pack at least 2 days worth of clothes and all essentials in carry-on luggage.

To elaborate, find the recommended steps you should take to recover your luggage and what to do in the meantime.

 

Pray to St. Anthony

Saint Anthony is the Patron Saint of lost things, so lost luggage would be a perfect time to ask him to intercede for you! Pray to Saint Anthony for the situation to be rectified as quickly as possible.

Prayer to Saint Anthony for Lost Items
St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find what has been lost.

[Mention your Luggage/Personal Items]

​At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen. St. Anthony, helper in all necessities, pray for us.

 

Speak with a Representative in Person

First try to speak with a representative of the airline at baggage claim, the airline’s check-in desk, or at the airports Baggage Office. If you cannot find a representative, call the airline. *Please try to remain patient, calm, and courteous – this will should help expedite the process for you. Remember that the airlines, and airports are understaffed with shortened hours.

 

Complete a Missing Luggage Form

Complete any applicate forms to submit a claim before you leave the airport.

 

File a Complaint

File a complaint with the airline that lost your luggage as this may assist begin the process of locating your items and providing reimbursement or compensation.

 

Save all Paper Work, Phone Numbers, Tracking Information, etc.

Please make sure to save all paperwork and tracking information given to you by the Airlines.

 

Provide Proper Delivery Address

Upon locating your baggage, the airlines will bring your luggage to your Hotel (or home if returning). It is important that you provide them with the correct address and dates that you will be at your hotels (noted in your Digital Confirmation.)

 

Provide Contact Details

Make sure to provide your phone number for updates. You may also provide the phone number of your Guide, also noted in the Digital Confirmation.

 

Save Receipts

You may need to purchase necessities. If your baggage is delayed for over 24 hours, and you purchased insurance, you may submit a claim upon your return to the US (only applicable to passengers that purchased Travel insurance through 206 Tours). Be sure to keep all receipts as the Insurance should reimburse your necessary purchases.

 

Check Returned Luggage

When your baggage is returning, check to make sure all belongings are included. If there is any damage to your luggage or goods, take pictures of the damage to submit within your claim.

 

SPECIAL NOTE! Travelers Insurance Allows You to Buy New Clothes & Essentials

Travel Insurance can be extremely helpful to pilgrims with missing luggage. Pilgrims can be protected to spend up to $100 per day, per person to purchase new clothing and essentials. You may have travel protections included through your credit card benefits, or, if you’re a 206 Tours pilgrim, you can purchase it through Travel Insured International any time up until 72 business hours prior to departure.

 

View the Full 206 Tours Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages

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