Modern pilgrims' progress

Reporter Justin Burns talks with members of All Saints Church in Maidenhead following their recent trip to the Holy Land.

As folk look for something other than material possessions and a fat bank balance in life, many people are getting in touch with their spiritual sides.

A priest from Maidenhead, took a group of his parishioners on a pilgrimage to the holy land of Israel to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and to enhance their spirit and faith.

Jeremy Harris, priest at All Saints Church, in Church Close, went with 10 of his parishioners to visit sacred sites in January this year.

He told Advertiser reporter Justin Burns about the experience and why pilgrimages are so important for Christians. “We have read about stories in the bible and it brings it alive for us, and to relive them,” he explained. “Going with a group of people from the church makes it very special.

“For many it was the first time. You come back and feel different from the experience, and it seems to help many people. A pilgrimage asks many questions of our existence and is becoming increasingly important for Christians nowadays,” said the 44-year-old.

During the course of the 10-day trip, the party visited various sacred sites in Nazareth, Bethlehem, Bethany, Cana and a host of others. Each Christian on the trip renewed their baptismal vows, while services were held each day at different locations, all which were connected with stories from the bible.

The pilgrimage party also visited the Sea of Galilee, the location where Jeremy proposed to his wife in the year 2000.

“The first thing I noticed was the help given to us by the Palestinian Christians and how peaceful they were and how everybody was. One of the highlights was our visit to the Sea of Galilee, which was so beautiful and the visit to the ancient Galilee boat, that is thought to date from the time that Jesus was alive.

“I think that people should have to do the pilgrimage once in their life, even if they are not Christians,” he added.

Brigitte Ranger, 65, who went on the trip, said she found the experience beneficial and it has only enhanced her life and faith. “It has made my faith more real, as all the places I have listened to and read about I saw with my own eyes. “I feel that much closer with Jesus Christ because of it,” said Brigitte, who has attended the church for the past 27 years.