JPII Articles

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha in Jerusalem

We are happy that we can now make this 26-page booklet available to anyone who would like deeper insight into that pivotal moment of the Catholic faith: the location of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The illustrations wi l l show you how the tomb of Christ may have looked to those who passed by Golgotha on their way into Jerusalem. Many other views of the location throughout the centuries are included as well.

Archaeologist and Tour Guide, Emily Cavins has written this guide to aid pilgrims in unraveling the mystery of the current Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which at first visit seems to be a confusing mixture of structures and rooms unlike any church ever visited. This pilgrim's guide shows each phase of the Tomb of Christ and Golgotha from the First Century through the Crusader Era using illustrations by Valerie Woelfel that are drawn as though the viewer is standing in the courtyard of the current Church looking at the entrance. Valerie has also drawn several map diagrams of the different phases of Jerusalem from an aerial perspective to help the pilgrim understand the changes over the many centuries. Each chapter has a very brief synopsis about the illustration followed by a fuller description of each of the following eras:

• The Time of Christ
• The Time of the Roman Emperor Hadrian
• The Time of Constantine
• The Time of the Crusaders

Followed by a numbered floor plan diagram of the current church with a key noting all of the main rooms, sites, and chapels within the church as well as which Christian sect has jurisdiction of that spot. This booklet emphasizes the continuity of pilgrimage to this holy site and encourages the reader to enter into the experience as though this place belongs to them. In the back of the guide, pilgrims can attach their own photo as a memento onto an illustration of the portals of the front entrance of the church. The text is fully footnoted.

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Emily received her BA in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from the University of Minnesota and has participated in several excavations in Israel. Emily leads annual pilgrimages to Israel and other Bible related destinations such as Turkey, Greece, Italy, Jordan, and Egypt.

She is author of Lily of the Mohawks: The Story of St. Kateri, the first Native American Saint from North America, recently canonized in October 2012. The book is published through Franciscan Media.

She also authored “A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Holy Sepulchre and Golgotha in Jerusalem” which covers the history of Christ’s tomb with helpful illustrations. This booklet is provided to all Holy Land pilgrims, accompanied by an orientation lecture during the pilgrimage.

Her first book was My Heart Is a Violin: The Autobiography of Renowned Violinist/Composer and Holocaust Survivor Shony Alex Braun published through Author House.

Emily has worked with Ascension as co-editor of Amazing Grace for Mothers. She is the developer of the “Great Adventure Kids” bible study materials that center around teaching children the plan of salvation history and based on her husband Jeff’s “The Story of Salvation: A Journey through the Bible.” She has also co-written the Great Adventure Storybook: A Walk through the Catholic Bible which is part of a 24-week program of games, activities, stories, and lessons. She participated in co-writing the “Walking Toward Eternity: Making Choices for Today” Bible Study Series I and II with her husband, Jeff.

Emily and her husband Jeff of forty years are the proud parents of three daughters, Carly, Jacqueline and Antonia and grandparents of three, Dominic, Francesco and Fiona.

Jeff Cavins is recognized both nationally and internationally as an exciting public speaker and bible teacher. He communicates the Catholic faith at a level that everyone can understand, taking theological truths and expressing them in a practical way.

He is the creator and founder of the popular Great Adventure Bible Study series published by Ascension Press. The foundational study, The Bible Timeline: the Story of Salvation, has enabled students to understand the chronological flow of Scripture. The teaching methodology is best expressed in the best-selling Great Adventure Catholic Bible. Other Great Adventure Bible Studies taught and recorded by Jeff include Matthew, Acts, Revelation, Psalms, James, Galatians and Ephesians. Over one million Catholics have benefited from these studies in the US and other countries, and they have helped them to engage in scripture in a life-changing way.

Jeff is the founding host of EWTN’s weekly program “Life on the Rock” as well as Relevant Radio’s daily show, “Morning Air.” He currently has a weekly podcast, “The Jeff Cavins Show.” He is author of several books including Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible co-authored with Dr. Tim Gray. Two other popular titles are Praise God and Thank Him: Biblical Keys for a Joyful Life and When You Suffer: Biblical Keys for Hope and Understanding both published through Franciscan Media. His latest book is The Activated Disciple: Taking Your Faith to the Next Level.

Jeff and his wife Emily host annual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and have guided thousands of pilgrims in the steps of Jesus, Mary and the disciples.

Jeff received an MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is the Director Emeritus and teacher at the Catechetical Institute at the St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Jeff and his wife Emily of forty years are the proud parents of three daughters, Carly, Jacqueline and Antonia and grandparents of three, Dominic, Francesco and Fiona.