The trip was beautiful and the tour guard was amazing! We learn so much from the tour and it such a beautiful place for everyone to try and visit! The gift shop is close on Sunday and I wish it will be open on Sunday for tourists to visit and make some shopping! Again we need to create more awareness for our children to visit and learn more about our church! Thanks Mmabuese Iweanoge - Nwabineli
=========================
The Franciscan Monastery and the garden are beautiful and a great place to visit. The monastery is a replica of the various religiously significant parts of ”The Holy Land.” Our guide, Nick, was knowledgeable and personable as he led us through the shrines, the catacombs and various chapels explaining the significance of each. There were some great photo opportunities. The tour was very informative and interesting.
I wish to thank Ms. Holland for coordinating our visit to the Franciscan Monastery on Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Florence Wilcots
=========================
I really enjoyed the Franciscan Monastery trip. I never knew what beauty and spiritual wonder the Monastery held. After the inside tour I walked the outside grounds. So very peaceful and spiritual. I felt God’s presence all around. Glad I took the tour.
Kind Regards,
~Celeste~
=========================
Visiting the Franciscian Monastery gave me a feeling of happiness and encouragement - the true meaning of the Catholic faith and the sense of what Jesus and His Disciples had to go through to get the people to understand that He was a God of love and forgiveness, as well as understanding. The Monastery and its grounds are such a beautiful place that you have a sense of calm. It is a place that everyone who believes in God should visit.
I really enjoyed the visit and hope we will return there in the coming months.
Sincerely, Theresa Hart
=========================
The tour of the Franciscan Monastery was very enlightening and moving. Each Sunday we listen to the readings and gospels of the saints and important characters from the Bible, and we can only imagine what those times could have been like. But when we see the Holy Land displayed in such grandeur, it helps to bring the picture all together. The statues and replicas of those bible times not only give you a 3-D visual, but they conjure up a warm feeling or emotion within you. You feel honored to be there, to be mentally present in those times. I can't wait to return to tour the outside grounds. The Monastery is worthy of another visit.
PAM WHITE
=========================
Thank you and all that were involved in making the Monastery Trip possible. Rita and I had been to the Monastery before but had not taken the tour. We both were amazed by the detail of the display of art and scenes from the bible. The guide was very knowledgeable and grounds are well kept and beautiful. Information about the history and why the Holy Land was created here is fascinating and the story of the Knights and Brothers that come to the monastery for learning and bringing information from the holy to keep all up to date is very interesting. Thanks so very much for this selection a site to visit. I am so happy to have seen so many of St. Joseph parishners there. You were a terrific host. Great job. God Bless
JAMES GANTT
=========================
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour! There was so much to see and learn about this holy place. Our tour guide Nick was wonderful and gave us great information on St. Francis. We will be returning to see the gardens soon. Thank you Althea for organizing the tours definitely a must see!
Carolyn Brooks-Butler
=========================
I have toured the Franciscan Monastery and attended Mass at the Monastery during my RCIA journey back in 2009-2010. This visit was my 3rd visit and I truly felt as though it was my first. Our tour guide mentioned that there was a hidden image in one of the tiles located in Mary's Altar and we were fortunate that one of our young parishioners attending the tour found the image and pointed it out to our group. During my earlier visits to Mary's Altar I never saw the hidden image and was happy that I finally got a chance to locate it. Our tour guide really took time to explain the different chapels, altars, the Holy Sepulchre and Calvary in the upper church and the catacombs in the lower church. I am thankful St. Joseph's planned this type of event as it was very informative.
Thanks again. Carmen
=========================
I have attended the monastery many times as a child and a young adult, but never took a formal tour. Our tour guide bought the paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and etc. alive. He presented how each tems related to events in the Bible He was a master storyteller. l recommend taking this tour again!