Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, Israel Ministry of Tourism-India, the main speaker, brought to light Israel’s deep spiritual relevance, emphasising the sacredness of pilgrimage experiences and the need for thoughtful planning. She spotlighted the e-Visa facility launched earlier this year for Indian travellers, easing access to Israel for pilgrims. She assured continued support from the Ministry in organizing group pilgrimages, events, and collaborations with Church institutions.
“As Jubilee 2025 in on the horizon, we are committed to ensure that every pilgrim’s journey is pleasant and spiritually enlightening. This year, a total of 2,600 arrivals between January and March have already been recorded from India, placing India on the first spot in Asia. In 2024, a total of 9,600 Indian tourists arrived in Israel, primarily for pilgrimage grounds. With the introduction of the e-Visa and stronger partnerships with church leaders, we hope to make the journey to Israel easier than ever before,” said Bangera.
Joining her, Inbal Ston, Deputy Consul General of Israel in Bengaluru, reaffirmed Israel’s warm welcome to Indian pilgrims. She emphasized the strengthening ties between India and Israel and highlighted the importance of spiritual and cultural exchange, noting that the new visa facilitation is a milestone in broadening people-to-people connections.
Archbishop Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bengaluru, delivered an encouraging message on the spiritual power of pilgrimages and their ability to renew communities in faith and mission. He called upon Church leaders to inspire their faithful to encounter Christ in the land of the Bible and use Jubilee 2025 as a moment of deepening discipleship.
George Devassy, CEO of MAGI Group, led a focused session on the art of building effective pilgrimage itineraries. Drawing from Scripture and his extensive experience, he said, “A pilgrimage is like following the Shepherd’s footsteps—spending more time and reflection in the very places He was present.” His presentation offered practical strategies for creating spiritually transformative journeys rooted in prayer, scripture, and community.
The seminar also featured brief reflections from Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi, CCBI National Coordinator for Jubilee 2025, and Fr. Evan, SVD, who opened the session in prayer. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between Church and travel professionals in making Jubilee pilgrimages a transformative experience.
Beyond the seminar, the Israel delegation interacted with academic institutions heads, including Fr. Jose CC, Vice Chancellor of Christ University, and Manoj, Coordinator of Global Partnerships. They Discussions focused on potential partnerships for study tours and student exchange programs, reinforcing educational and cultural ties between India and Israel.
The seminar was well-received by Church leaders who left inspired and equipped to lead their communities on powerful journeys of faith. “It’s not just about visiting a place—it’s about walking in the footsteps of Christ. And now, more than ever, it’s time to go to Israel,” Bangera added.
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