In Jerusalem, pilgrims from Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry in Vandalia meet with Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, who is archbishop of the Holy Land, who gave a personal blessing for the ministry.

Shortly before Christmas, pilgrims associated with Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry in Vandalia traveled to the Holy Land, where they received a special blessing, said Vanessa Keck, who leads the ministry along with Debbie Pryor. The two women founded OSMM in 1997.

OSMM is a lay community dedicated to being apostles for the Lord and Our Lady. Members carry out a mission to be servants with integrity and faithfulness, Keck said.

She and Pryor entitled the pilgrimage "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus, A Pilgrimage of Love." Father Mark Baron from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., was their chaplain.

"Each day begins with holy Mass and concludes with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in adoration," said Keck. "Daily Mass and adoration, music ministry, prayer teams and intercessory prayer, healing services, reconciliation and spiritual direction are all part of our daily experience."

Every day of the pilgrimage was fulfilling, Keck said. For example, while in Cana several married couples bought rings with the inscription "Cana of Galilee" and renewed their wedding vows. "What a witness of fidelity to our younger single men and women on the trip," she said.

The pilgrims also renewed their baptismal vows at the Jordan River, swam in the Sea of Galilee and floated in the Dead Sea. In addition to visiting numerous places where Jesus lived, suffered and died, they visited the orphanage run by the Daughters of Charity.

"Sister Sophia lamented and pleaded for each child," Keck said. "When we went to the nursery there were so many beautiful babies. Sister Sophia took the babies one at a time and placed them in our arms. No one wanted to leave ... we will always remember that moment."

Keck said the most moving days on the trip naturally took place as they walked Via Dolorosa - the way of the cross. "We were overwhelmed when we arrived at the site of the crucifixion," she said. "Many wept as they touched that place."

While on the pilgrimage, OSMM was given a personal blessing for their ministry from the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem, who is over all of the Christians in the Holy Land. "It was a great honor for our community to have an audience with Fouad Twal, archbishop of the Holy Land," Keck said. "His great hospitality, generosity and words of spirit and truth spoke straight to the heart."

Archbishop Twal spoke of living the three "P's," Keck said:  prayer, pilgrimage and projects. He said to pray for a land that has been without peace for too long; to take pilgrimages that allow you to see the truth; and to remind people that the Holy Land is the home land for Christians, who have their roots there.

In addition to several pilgrimages, OSMM hosts 10 monthly weekend retreats and an annual conference. The retreats are held in Vandalia (one mile east of St. Louis off I-70) and run from 4 p.m. on Friday through 1 p.m. on Sunday. Over the last 11 years, the ministry has drawn people from 18 states.

In late May and early June, OSMM will make a pilgrimage to Greece and Turkey entitled "Walking in the Footsteps of St. Paul." Keck said another pilgrimage to the Holy Land - this one lasting two weeks - is planned beginning Nov. 22. For more information on OSMM, call (618) 292-9852 or (618) 322-2946, e-mail or check the Web site www.sorrowfulmothersministry.org .