Visiting the Holy Sites: the experience of Knights and Dames from the Czech Republic

We consider the organisation of pilgrimages to be one of the Order’s principal tasks, and although we are (as yet) one of the smallest organisations within the Order, we endeavour to organise as large a pilgrimage as possible for our countrymen to the Holy Land. Between March 8 and 15 this year, our Czech expedition set out from Vienna to Tel Aviv, 55 strong in number. The group was headed by our brother P Milan Pálkovič and his assistant Baron Jaroslav Battaglia, also a Knight in our Order.

The day after arrival, the whole group was warmly welcomed by the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa. All 55 of our participants gathered in his audience hall. Our members were given pilgrim shells and handed over gifts from our Czech Delegation. The experience was greatly appreciated by all who took part in our organised pilgrimage, and it was even a great advertisement for the endeavours of our Order.

We hope to be able to continue in organising these pilgrimages to the same extent. 

(Winter 2017)