Italy to Jerusalem in 101 days

This is Mauro.

He spent 101 days walking through Italy, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and Israel, arriving in Jerusalem shortly before Christmas. He took no money with him on his epic pilgrimage, relying on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter. He had some difficult times along the way; but God never let him down and provided for him in all kinds of ways - whether it was an ex-military Greek giving him better winter equipment or Anatolian shepherds giving him basic food and shelter.

Mauro was a professional basketball player in Italy. He thought he'd retired from that; but it seems God had other plans and Mauro is now playing for a Palestinian basketball team based in the Old City. He wants to learn Arabic and Hebrew and work for friendship between the different faiths here; but he needs to earn his keep somehow, and somewhat to his surprise basketball looks like the means for that. And perhaps not a bad way of building up some friendships to start off with.

And this is Br Nicolas, a Capuchin from Switzerland.

He recently completed a 900km pilgrimage through the Holy Land (via a winding route - the country is only 470km long) with a mixed group of Muslims, Christians, and 'spiritual' people from Switzerland and Germany. They received hospitality on the way from Jews and Muslims; but sometimes in the Negev desert had to sleep under the stars.

Br Nicolas arrived at our friary on the same day that Mauro was leaving (to live with the Franciscans in Ein Karem) - so they had a chance to share notes on their impressive pilgrimages. I have been on a few walking pilgrimages myself; but before men like these I can only say...