Welcome and Introduction
Most people who blog can’t wait to get on the internet and let the whole world know what they think about anything and everything. I guess I’m not a typical blogger, since I have been in Bethlehem for four weeks and just yesterday started my blog. So here it is, the Pilgrimage Musings of a Catholic Seminarian.
My name is Scott Wallisch (if you haven’t surmised that yet), and I am a seminarian studying for the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas. I am in the third year of theology at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago. As a standard part of our third year, the seminarians spend the winter quarter in the Holy Land. We stay in Bethlehem, Palestine until January 6th. Then we travel through Galilee, a little in Jordan, and finish our time with a few weeks in Jerusalem.
Just being in the seminary is an extraordinary blessing (though I complain as much as any other student.) But it is an unbelievable grace to spend ten weeks in the land where Christ became incarnate, was born of the Virgin, grew up with two amazing parents, worked as a carpenter, preached the Good News, made disciples of all kinds of people, forgave sins, cured the sick, frustrated the religious authorities, was sentenced, endured scourging, carried the instrument of his torture, hung on the cross, died a humiliating death, rose from the dead, and forever changed the course of human events.
In ten weeks you don’t have to be a tourist. You can savor the sites, meditate on the events, and better understand the reality that is the Holy Land. The hope, of course, is that this will bear much fruit for me, but more importantly, for the people God will ask me to serve.
I pray that all of you get to one day experience the land of the Bible, but I know that unfortunately this won’t happen for most of you. So whether you are a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or someone who typed in the wrong web address, I hope that my sharing of my journey can bring you a better understanding of the Bible, the Holy Land, and its people. Most deeply, though, whatever ramblings of mine you may read or pictures you may view, I pray that Christ uses the experience to draw you closer to His Sacred Heart.
But alas, I’ve already said too much. Let’s get this thing started. By the way, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:03 am
Great start…. Merry Christmas to you!
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
It is so good to hear from you. I was just thinking about you last night and was going to email you but I was unsure whether or not you could use the internet. I can’t wait to see the pictures you bring back. I know that I will never get a chance to go there so I will have to live through you on your journey.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Scott,
thanks for setting up the blog. You have been in our prayers and we are looking forward to hearing more about your adventure. I pray that you will be safe while studying there. Keep up the good work.
Bill
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 am
Scott it is wonderful to hear from you. How neat it must have been to be there for Christmas. I hope you are taking lots of pictures. I am very proud of you and wish you all the best. Keep us updated.
Love You,
Cindy
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Scott! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We have missed you and we are praying for you. I am so glad to hear from you! I hope that you “force” yourself to write on here regularly as a journal. Don’t even think for a second that you are boring us!
Peace.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Scott, thanks for sharing your travels through this blog! I hope you have a wonderful and blessed journey in the Holy Land.
Laura
January 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Welcome to the blogosphere, Scottie! If you don’t mind, I’ll link you from our blog.
Glad you are safe and glad you’re enjoying your experience in the Holy Land.
Prayers,
Emily and Ben
January 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Hi SCOTT — I’M A FRIEND OF YOUR PARENTS - HAVE BEEN TO ISRAEL 3 TIMES ON TOURS — SO GLAD YOU ARE THERE — A UNIQUE BLESSING FROM OUR FATHER, SAVIOR, AND SANCTIFIER -ASKING YOU TO PRAY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY (WIFE-JUDY, SON DANIEL (IN THE COAST GUARD), AND DAUGHTER KATHERINE (22- GOING TO ST.CHARLES COM.COLLEGE- WONDERING WHAT THE LORD’S WILL IS FOR HER) –
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM AND REFLECT ON GENESIS 12:3 PROMISE OF GOD TO ABRAHAM, OUR FATHER IN FAITH AND ITS CONNECTION TO ROMANS 1:16, PAUL’S INSIGHT TO THE PROCESS OF THE LORD — THE GOSPEL GOOD NEWS IS SALVATION TO ALL WHO BELIEVE, TO THE JEW FIRST– MAY THE LORD’S hEART’S LOVE FOR HIS OWN– BOTH JEWS AND COUSINS FROM ABRAHAM THRU ISHMAEL INFLAME YOUR OWN HEART AND MIND AND SPIRIT WITH HIS ZEAL FOR HIS HOUSE — SHALOMSHALOM
JOHN+
January 8th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Dear Scott,
So glad your Dad allerted us of your blog, so we can follow your adventures in the HolyLand. We were there in 1989 with your foks and Father Lee and Father Steve. It was a wonderful experience, and it has made the Gospels come alive, when you think we were there on that very holy spot.
We will pray that you and your seminary classmates will be inundated with many blessings from your experiences. God Bless You in the New Year!
Love and Prayers
Lee and Tudy
January 9th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Welcome to the blog world. Its needs many more Seminarians, Deacons, & Priests. So in that way its just like the real world.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Hi Scott!
I pray you are doing well. I want to put in a request right now for you to come talk to my class when you return!
Peace to you,
Meg
February 15th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Hi Scott,
I just saw your blog while going thru those of my kids. What a wonderful experience! Stay safe. It is a crazy world. You’ll be in my prayers.
Nancy