In the Footsteps of Our Lady

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR LADY - PILGRIMAGE ORDER

See In the Footsteps – Historical Order for a chronological order of events. The number in brackets refers to chronological events.

Today a pilgrimage in the footsteps of Our Lady begins in Cairo, Egypt(6).

Home of the Holy Family in Egypt

Then the pilgrimage takes the pilgrim to Nazareth (2) and to nearby Cana (9).

Before visiting Jerusalem where many footsteps of Our Lady were left, pilgrims go to the town of Bethlehem, a few kilometers south of Jerusalem. On the way to Bethlehem they can go to Ramat Rachel.(4) And then travel to Bethlehem (5), the place of the Nativity.

From Bethlehem pilgrims travel on to Jerusalem:

Go to Ein Kerem, 2kms southwest of Mt Herzl, where Our Lady visited Elizabeth and stayed over for three months.

Mary visits Elizabeth - Ein Kerem

The Temple Mount, although now with a total different character, marks the area where the Holy Family went with the newborn Jesus (6) and where they celebrated the Passover annually (8).

From the Temple Mount pilgrims leave the area through the (northern) Bab al-‘Atm gate into King Feisal Street to the birth place of Our Lady (1), then turn to the right on Al-Mujahideen Road. This is at the Greek Catholic Church of St Anne.

Inside the Tomb of the Virgin

Before continuing on the Via Dolorosa from here first go down to the Tomb of the Virgin (15). Exit the Old City via the Lion Gate and walk down Jericho Road to the Church of All Nations (Gethsemane) at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The entrance to the Tomb is across the road from the Church of All Nations to the left.

Pilgrims then return to the Via Dolorosa through the Lion Gate. The 4th Station (11) marks the spot where Our Lady watched as her Son passed by carrying his cross.

Then continue on the Via Dolorosa to the 13th station (12) where Our Lady stood and watch her Son dying in pain and agony.

Pilgrims can continue from there to Zion Gate and exit the Old City. A few meters away is The Church of the Dormition (14) and a little further on The Upper Room (13). It was here that Our Lady stayed after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and where she and other disciples experienced the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost (Act 1:14).