Readers of my blog and followers of my Facebook page have met my dear friend, Habib Karam many times. I first introduced him shortly after I’d met him in May, and he’s guest blogged once before, too. This time, I asked him if, in anticipation of my upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land in April, he’d answer some questions about what it’s like out there now and whether I should worry about what it’ll be like. Here are his answers.
DVG: You’ve lived in Nazareth and in the US. What is it like living in Nazareth? How does it compare to living in the US?
HK: In 1995, when we started thinking about moving back home, we wrote a list with two sides: Why should we go back home and Why should we stay in the USA. We found the list couple of years ago. The list of why should we stay in the USA was twice as long as the list of why should we go back. However, the long list had all material things like high paying job, big house, cars, vacations …, while the short list had all family, community, and spiritual things. It was a choice of living in material luxury or spiritual high and family comfort. We moved back in 2001, and have not looked back since then. We love being close to family, and helping in our community. However, most of all, we love living next to where the Holy Family lived; they are our neighbours by land, but in our heart all the time! I always say, you can have many houses, but there is only one home. Our home is Nazareth!
DVG: The news makes the Holy Land seem very scary. You are raising your family there. Do you feel safe?
HK: We trust in God to keep us safe. Nazareth is dedicated to the Holy Heart of Mary, she will protect us. Besides, Nazareth has never seen any fighting!
DVG: How often do you get to visit the sacred sites of Christianity in the Holy Land?
HK: We live very close to the Basilica of Annunciation. It is our Parish. This is where we go to share in Hour of Adoration, Pray the Rosary, and attend masses. We often make trips to the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, especially when we have visitors, which is all the time.
DVG: Do you think it’s important for Christians to visit the Holy Land? If so, why?
HK: The Holy Land is the Fifth Gospel. In order to really understand the Bible, you need to see where it all happened and meet with the Living Stones: the Christians who are decedents of the first Christians. The Holy Land brings the Bible to life.
DVG: What are some of your favorite places to go in the Holy Land?
HK: Every place is a great Blessing to be able to visit. However, I can single out three favorite places:
- The Grotto of the Annunciation: It’s where we attend Masses and share in the Hour of Adoration and the Angelus whenever we can. What a special blessing to be able to pray the Hail Mary at the House of Mary!
- The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem: In the back of the Grotto, at the end of a tunnel, there is a small chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is displayed for adoration 24 hours and nuns change places every hour and stay in adoration. You only can see it and kneel from behind a glass.
- The Mount of Beatitudes: What a site; full of serenity. You can sit down, look at the Sea of Galilee, and contemplate on the Beatitudes. In addition, what pilgrims don’t realize, is that a miracle happened there. Think about it, how was Jesus able to be heard by thousands of people and all in their own language?!
DVG: What is one place that you think pilgrims never go but should?
HK: Pilgrims pass by Nazareth as it’s one-stop place; the Church of Annunciation complex. What about the secret of the Hidden Life of Nazareth? The Holy Family lived here for 30 years! There must be something else and lessons to be learned. Stay in Nazareth and discover for yourself!
THANK YOU, Habib!!