25 priests, students of the Bachelor's degrees in Theology and the University of Navarra, together with five professors Canon Law University of Navarra, together with five professors, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from January 3 to 10. On the group there were representatives of eleven nationalities.
"The idea of organizing this pilgrimage arose a little over a year ago in a hallway conversation with several students," comments Professor Juan Alonso. "We moved the initiative and found that many others were interested. The agency organizing the pilgrimage assigned us an experienced Franciscan guide , Father Pedro González: in addition to passing on his historical, archaeological and biblical knowledge, he helped us to delve into the spiritual meaning of a pilgrimage to the land of Jesus and the significance of each specific place."

The trip was divided into three stages. The first took place in Galilee, where they visited Nazareth and its surroundings (Haifa, Mount Carmel, Cana, Mount Tabor), including Lake Tiberias (Gennesaret) and its surroundings. Edwuar Tocto, student of Canon Law from Peru, affirms that: "we have all been dazzled by these places that witnessed the profound teachings and numerous miracles of Jesus. Capernaum, now in ruins, was the center of his intense apostolic activity around Lake Generaset. When contemplating the peace and charm of the lake from the shore or from the mount of the beatitudes, many scenes recounted in the Gospels come back to report ".

From Galilee they headed south through the Jordan Valley. On the way they passed through Jericho, where several wanted to have their photo taken next to the ancient sycamore tree that is preserved at entrance of the city and which commemorates the conversion of Zacchaeus. Jericho is called the city of records: it is the oldest inhabited town in the world (9000 BC), the oldest leave (250m below sea level), and one of the highest temperature average. They also visited the Mount of Quarantine, the Dead Sea and the ruins of Qumran. Sergio Martinez, who is from Mexico and studies Theology, specialization program biblical, says that "it has been very enriching to be in this place that has meant so much for the greater understanding of the Sacred Scripture and biblical exegesis".

The Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem was the epicenter of the second stage of the pilgrimage, which also included the Shepherds' Field, Bethany and Ain Karim. "Visiting the Holy Land was like touching the roots of my Christian faith. Of the experiences I have had, I remember a very simple one: the smile of a Russian Orthodox nun in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This happened on January 7, the day the Orthodox celebrate the birth of Jesus. This nun clearly reflected the universality of the joy that God with us brings. For me it meant the smile of God in Christ," says Gabriel Alonso, Puerto Rican and student of Theology.
The pilgrimage culminated in Jerusalem. The Cenacle, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa, Calvary and the Holy Sepulcher were the main holy places they visited during their stay in the Holy City. "For me, one of the most moving moments of the pilgrimage was the renewal of priestly promises in the Upper Room, where the Lord instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood. Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá and Chancellor of our University, celebrated his last Mass in this same place," said Emilton González, a theology student from Guatemala.

The celebration in the Cenacle was presided over by Juan Luis Bastero, Full Professor emeritus of Theology who was celebrating his birthday that same day, accompanied by Mr. Enrique Borda, director of the high school Mayor Echalar II, who was also celebrating his birthday.
Professor Diego Pérez Góndar, who is on a study stay and research in Jerusalem, accompanied the group during the last afternoon and showed them some interesting corners of the walls of Jerusalem. The day concluded with a discussion with Professor Christophe Rico, director of high school Polis in Jerusalem, in which he spoke about the social and religious status of the Holy Land, and the challenges ahead in the face of the crossing of races, cultures and religions. He also explained the origin of the high school he directs and the keys to its success in learning classical languages.

     "It has been rightly said that the visit to the Holy Places is the "Fifth Gospel," concludes Professor Juan Alonso. At the heart of our Christian faith is the mystery of the incarnation, which tells us that the Word of God became flesh; and that means that he became flesh in a specific time and place. Since then, these places have a very special meaning. The work of the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land is impressive: they welcome pilgrims, animate the liturgy, keep the local churches alive and take care of the material support of the Holy Places. They have been there for centuries, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi who, at the beginning of the 13th century, went to the Middle East to 'touch' the places that are witnesses to the revelation of God and his love for mankind".