Cana - Vow Renewals in the Wedding Church

ORDINARY TIME

This morning I couldn't help but be excited as we were headed to visit the site of the first miracle of Jesus, the changing of water into wine!

 Everyone on the bus was in a very festive mood with lots of happy chattering and giggling as we headed from Nazareth to Cana. Most of our group were on tour with their spouse and they were all about to renew their wedding vows in the very place of the first miracle of Jesus when he turned water to wine at the request of his mother! Their excitement was infectious, so that all the rest of us were all joyful too.

Merry.  The atmosphere can best be described as merry!

Along the road from Nazareth to Cana

The drive was short and as I looked out the bus windows I tried to imagine Jesus and Mary walking to their celebration so many years ago and what it must have looked like for them. I wondered how long it would have taken them to walk the 5 rocky, hilly miles. Were they excited and feeling celebratory? Were they looking forward to seeing old friends and family they hadn't seen in a while?   

We arrived at Kafr Kanna, the modern name for Cana.  It was a gorgeous day. The bus let us out on the main street and we went up the block and around the corner into a narrow, stone-paved lane. (So much cooler to walk up the time-worn street rather than just cross a modern parking lot to a church!!)

the road to the Wedding Church in Cana

It gave me the feeling of walking backwards in time!

We passed a school yard full of happy recess noise, overflowing little shops and secret-looking doors set into the high wall of the old road.

 The sky was deep blue, the air was morning-fresh and everyone seemed to have a skip in their step!

 

All of a sudden, there we were!

Doors opened from the street, through the high wall, and we turned into a compact little courtyard in front of the Franciscan Wedding Church in Cana!.

 

We all busied ourselves for a few minutes in the courtyard. I saw this interesting poster with Pope Benedict on it. I have no clue what it says or means, but whatever it is, it ends tomorrow (the date I was there being Nov 14, 2012)!

 

 (or at least tomorrow of the day we were there!?!?) 

All of the couples who were renewing their wedding vows were purchasing certificates of the blessing they would receive in their ceremony. I had talked with Fr. T the night before at dinner, and he had promised to say a special prayer for those of us who's spouses were back home and also for all of our married children. So the sweet little nun also sold me 3 certificates, assuring me that I could carry the blessing back to my loved ones in the United States.

Sweet little nun that sold us the Wedding Certificates

We were taken to a side chapel as another pilgrim group was saying Mass in the main church. The chapel had a Mediterranean feel to me and I loved the ambiance right away.

All the "wedding couples" lined up to walk down the aisle. Most were wearing special clothes for the occasion and all of them were as excited as if they were truly having a wedding - I know I felt like I was attending a real wedding! Then I thought, well if I had planned a huge ceremony for a renewal of my wedding vows, it would feel like this, and that is what these couples were experiencing!

One couple, JP & D had previously told me how they had always planned to come to Israel and renew their vows here in this church for their 50th wedding anniversary. Only now J had become sick and was terminal. They were part of our pilgrimage in celebration of their 45th anniversary instead. D was precious as she stood beside her husband, bouquet in hand and her eyes shining. I'm sure it was bitter-sweet for them both, but as I learned during my time with them, their faith is deep and they seem to have accepted God's will for them, no matter what the path may be. They are together in it.

*sigh*

Another precious story I heard that morning was about a couple who had brought special rings for this special occasion. Many years ago, they had escaped from Cuba. They didn't elaborate to me how they left their native country, but the trip must have been harrowing as they were afraid to wear their real wedding rings in case they would be stolen. They had special wedding rings made from non-precious metal and wore them on their get-away. Later, when they were settled in the US and safe, they sent for their original wedding rings and had worn them ever since. But in honor of their safe escape, they were wearing their plain metal rings on this pilgrimage and were going to renew their vows with them today.

*sigh*

Stories like these gripped my heart that morning and coupled with my desire to be renewing my own wedding vows with my husband, let's just say I was a bit emotional...uh yeah, I cried through a good portion of the Wedding Mass!

Mom volunteered to do the readings and responsorial psalm. To me, it made the mass which I knew would be having specific blessings for Russell & I, Mitch & Marcie and Mark & Lacy that much more special.

Of course, Fr. T, who has a voice like an angel, sang the entire Mass, which is always beautiful and inspiring, as are his spiritual sermons! He can bring me to tears or chill-bumps at almost every mass!!! (even here at home I mean!)

Just like at a wedding, they held a ceremony in the middle of the mass. There was a lovely blessing of the rings (and I thought about my sweet Cuban friends).

And renewal of everyone's wedding vows!

I though our "paparazzi" were cute!

Of course, my favorite part was when Fr. T. gave the special blessing for all the married people who's spouses were not present and for all our married children. He gave such a lovely prayer for us all! I wish I could remember the words!

Look at me, I'm obviously into the prayer for my husband and children. I was crying and holding up the certificates of blessing so that they get the full brunt of it as Fr. T made the sign of the cross!

When Fr. T sings the consecration, it is so beautiful! What must it have been like for our dear priests to have changed the wine to blood in the very place where Jesus foreshadowed his own sacrifice by changing water to wine?

After the Mass, all our "newlyweds" lined up to have their picture made on the altar. It was fun and the mood was very festive!

After all the pictures we began our tour of the grotto under the main sanctuary. Then we did a little shopping!

Of course there was lots of wine to choose from! Everyone bought a lot of it, which turned out to have a wonderful side effect - once back to their rooms, they realized that it was too heavy to carry back on the airplane, so each night someone brought wine to dinner and shared! It was like a wine-tasting! LOL!

I bought a set so that Russell and I could have a small bottle and each of the kids could have one to share with their spouse....we'll give Morgan his on his wedding day - WAY in the future!! LOL!

My own wedding picture, along with those of my children

Dear Lord, please continue to bless my marriage.  Keep us together always, no matter what we may face.  Please bless my children and their spouses.  Let us all be strong in our devotion to each other and to you.  Amen.

2012 Pilgrimage to Israel - Day 4