Pilgrims urged to come to Holy Land

You could also visit a museum on the Sea of Galilee that houses a 2,000-year-old fishing boat, or examine a model of the ancient fortress of Masada before taking a cable-car ride to its mountaintop ruins.

All of these aids to tourists are being built as part of Israel's planning for the millennium, titled "Project 2000." Israel has invested $200 million refurbishing historic sites and adding hotel rooms, in anticipation of between three and four million pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2000.

Getting ready

He noted that Jews in Israel are also "praying for the health of the pope," since a papal visit in 2000 would boost the number of visitors even more.

In any case, Holy Year events are already under way, despite a two-day shutdown of Christian sites in Israel in November to protest the construction of a mosque in Nazareth.

Events planned

* On Christmas Eve, a High Mass will mark the opening of the Holy Year in Bethlehem;

* a celebration of families is scheduled for Dec. 26, the feast of the Holy Family;

* for New Year's Eve, "there will probably be a prayer service in Gethsemane and a procession up the hill to the house of Abraham. That's in the planning stages."

The year 2000 will also mean many local celebrations in Israel. Father Fortin expects to see different days honoring students, priests and youth, and a special "marriage day" in January for couples to renew their wedding vows.

New additions

Housed in a medieval fortress, the Tower of David Museum provides an unusual backdrop to the exhibition's 42 tons of glass spheres, balls and towers. Since the Chihuly display opened in July, museum officials said it has already attracted 400,000 visitors.

The Israel Museum, also in Jerusalem, has opened "Knights of the Holy Land," a display of items from the Crusader period ranging from weapons and drinking vessels to artwork and manuscripts.

Of special significance to Catholic pilgrims is "In the Path of Christianity," an exhibition connecting items in the museum important in the history of Christianity. Included are the Dead Sea Scrolls, an ossuary containing the only inscription ever found that mentions Pontius Pilate, and even a heelbone impaled by a nail from a crucified man.

Some millennium preparations are simpler. Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, will build a new entrance for visitors; the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross), which winds through narrow streets and marketplaces in Jerusalem, has installed lighting to make pilgrims' path easier.

Room at inn

"Until this year, we had 2,200,000 tourists to Israel," Mr. Shaheen noted. "This year, we will reach 2,500,000. In the millennium, we expect four million. I'll be happy if we get three million -- it is enough."

Urge a visit

The officials in Israel echoed that statement. "The occasion is the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus' birth, so it's the occasion to know something about what that's about," Father Fortin told The Evangelist. A pilgrimage is "a good thing for people to do. It's a way of strengthening their faith."

To make your visit to the sites where Christ lived and died a spiritual one, Father Fortin recommended being accompanied by a priest, "so you're not just running through; you take an hour to pray."

Mr. Shaheen added: "We hope that next year, 2000, will bring us also peace."

(12-23-99) [[In-content Ad]]