Arrived! 50 Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre

Steve Ray here. I am a Knight. My wife Janet is a Lady.

We are proud members of a chivalrous Order with a noble history of 1,000 years. Our mission: to defend and support the Christian presence in the Holy Land.

Today fifty fellow Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre arrived in Israel to join us on a pilgrimage following the august steps of millions before them. In the past they arrived by ship and horses (and camels). Today they arrived by airplane and motor coach.

Janet and I will guide them along with our excellent friend and local guide Amer Shehadeh who is also a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. He is a Palestinian Arab, Roman Catholic Israeli citizen. There is no better and more knowledgeable Catholic guide in the country. We have worked together on more than 60 Pilgrimages!

The North Lieutenancy chapter, with their chaplain Bishop Carl Kemme of Wichita Kansas, has sent these principled Knights and Ladies to see the land, support the local Christians, pray and celebrate Mass at the holiest sites, see the empty Tomb of Christ and earn their pilgrimage shell.

They arrived today and we are proud to lead this noble Order through the Land to visit and experience the Christians and holy sites they’ve sworn to defend and support!

Below is a video of their arrival at the Ben Gurion Airport, their journey north to Galilee and our first Mass and dinner in the Holy Land as the sun sets over the Sea!

FAMILY AND FRIENDS—Please leave your loved ones notes and comments below. I will read them each day on the bus. You can also e-mail me at sray@me.com.