Snow at Calvary

This morning, we were greeted with a winter wonderland. Trudging through five inches of snow, we made it to the Holy Sepulchre for our 5:30 AM mass at Calvary. Although it was very early and we were all wet from the snow, we all felt a real sense of being blessed to attend mass at Calvary on the first Friday of the Lenten season. 

Snow on a palm tree

Today also marked our first day of new classes. Dr. Nagel began the morning by laying the foundations of the Prophets of the Old Testament. And Fr. Lodge issued our first exam, on the Gospel of John commentary we've been reading during our time in pilgrimage.
Our two classes were done by noon, and following lunch, we had the afternoon free to do as we wished. With snow still slowly accumulating and the occasional rain shower, most of us rested in our rooms or relaxed in the common area. 

After a nice dinner, a small group of us went to the rooftop restaurant, complete with wine and cheese and a spectacular view of the city of Jerusalem. Although it was a chilly and snowy day, I think many of us are realizing just how much Jerusalem has to offer.