The Heights men began their day with a short walk to the Muslim Quarter of Old Jerusalem. Here, with wooden cross in hands, they began the Via Dolorosa (The Stations of the Cross). They took turns carrying the wooden cross, stopping at each station and reflecting on the Passion of Our Lord through the streets where these events took place; an amazing experience during this time of Lent. The stations ended at Calvary. The boys climbed the steep stairs of Calvary and once again honored Our Lord with song (see a short video clip below).

Afterwards, just outside, the group gathered for a photo on the ancient steps of the Holy Sepulchre. Next, a visit to St. Peter in Gallicantu (Meaning “St. Peter Where the Cock Crowed”). The excavations there have uncovered the cistern where Jesus was lowered on Holy Thursday after being arrested. There he spent the night alone and in darkness. The group gathered in this cistern where Our Lord lay in the darkness, prayed, and reflected on that night. They read Psalm 88 (excerpt below).

Later, the group visited the Upper Room (Last Supper) and the Dormitian Abbey Basilica “Where Mary Slept”.

This was followed by Holy Mass celebrated by Father Diego for the group at the Chapel of St Francis Ad Coenaculum. After dinner, the group headed out for a walk. While the group was walking the streets of Jerusalem they came upon an older man wearing an actual, authentic, Heights school hat with the crest (who would believe?). The boys stopped and questioned him asking, “sir, we are from that school, where did you get that hat?” The man was very friendly but had no idea where he had gotten the hat. The group asked for a photo (below) as they chanted “Heights, Heights” with him in the streets of Jerusalem (Story told by Joe Cardenas).