Do I need to be a member of Spiritual Directors International to join the pilgrimage?You do not need to be a member of Spiritual Directors International to join the pilgrimage. However, you must be accompanied by a member. Spouses, partners, and friends are welcome on the journey!
How physically active will we be? Do I need to be a marathon runner to be a pilgrim?Marathon running not required, and we will be walking each day. You should be in relative good health. International travel can be taxing with jet lag, learning new customs, new foods, different sleeping patterns, etc. We have designed the schedule with your well-being in mind.
What if something dangerous happens in the Middle East before the pilgrimage begins? Can I get my money back? We require that you have Travel Insurance so that your costs will be covered in the case of emergency including unforeseen cancellation of the Pilgrimage.
My family is concerned about my security traveling in Israel and Palestine. What can I tell them? In 2008, three million tourists traveled to Israel and Palestine, an all-time record, and all three million went back home safe and sound. Past experience, of course, does not mean there are not risks. Yet, reasonable precautions should be taken as with all international travel. Your safety and well-being are a top priority of Spiritual Directors International staff, hosts, and guides who will advise you about safety and local customs as we travel. St. George’s College and Sisters of Nazareth Convent are relatively secure campuses and have been hosting pilgrims for decades. You will need to be aware of your surroundings and take personal precautions, as in any large metropolitan area.
Will pilgrims engage in combined worship? No. Each spiritual group will present itself and its beliefs and spiritual practices but will not be expected to engage in combined worship activities. Opportunities to observe others in worship will be provided as part of the process of learning about each other. Each person will be free to participate at his or her level of comfort. Spiritual Directors International is an increasingly diverse spiritual learning community. A list of local worship opportunities will be made available, however offsite worship is the individual’s responsibility. During the pilgrimage, we will share sacred time together designed to deepen our own faith and learn about others.
I do not know much about other spiritual traditions, and I want to learn. Will my curiosity be enough, or should I be advanced in my knowledge of other faiths? You do not need advanced learning of other faiths and traditions to enter into pilgrimage. The most important qualities for the pilgrim journey are a respectful presence, an open mind, and a generous heart. The rest will be learned on the journey.
