Two Sacred Seasons, One Spirit of Hope

“Every pilgrimage to the Holy Land is more than a visit; it is a shared act of faith and solidarity that restores hope, strengthens dignity, and reminds our people they are not forgotten.” ~ Said Zarzar/ HLT

Dear {{ contact.FIRSTNAME }} {{ contact.LASTNAME }},

Warm greetings and blessings to you.

As we approach the sacred season of Lent, a time of reflection, compassion, and hope, we are reminded of the power of unity and prayer ; especially for peace in the land we all love so dearly. We write to you with deep appreciation for the relationship we have shared over the years, and with heartfelt encouragement to stand once more with the people of the Holy Land during this meaningful season.

The past few years have been profoundly challenging for our communities. The disruptions brought by the global pandemic, followed by the devastating war on Gaza, have taken an enormous toll on daily life, economies, and the sacred rhythm of pilgrimage and encounter. Tourism, which has long been a vital bridge connecting hearts and stories across borders, was especially impacted. For Holy Land Trust, and for the many families, young people, and caretakers we work alongside, this has meant persevering through uncertainty without the regular presence of friends and pilgrims who journeyed here with groups under your leadership.

Through all of this, your past visits ; and the faithful relationships developed with your groups ; have been a source of encouragement, unity, and spiritual connection. When guests come to walk these lands, listen to these stories, light a candle at holy sites, and join in prayer for peace, it sends a powerful message: you are not alone. Each step in this land, each shared prayer and shared meal, speaks volumes of solidarity, compassion, and hope.

In this spirit, we warmly invite you ; and your groups ; to light a candle for peace in our region during Lent, a tangible act of prayer and intention that transcends borders and unites hearts. We believe your presence here, especially during this sacred time before Easter, carries deep meaning not only for pilgrims, but for the families and communities whose lives are intertwined with this land’s complex history and present reality.

Since the ceasefire in Gaza, we have experienced a sense of calm and a renewed openness for hospitality. Slowly but surely, life has begun to return to spaces of encounter, conversation, and shared journey. Now more than ever, your return ; and the return of your groups ; would bring strength, encouragement, and renewed hope to those who have endured so much. Tour groups are not only visitors to our homeland; they are companions in peace, partners in prayer, and bearers of solidarity.

At Holy Land Trust, our mission has always been to foster encounter ; between people, cultures, faiths, and stories ; with empathy, integrity, and reverence. When you bring groups here, you help shape a pilgrimage that is more than a journey of sites; it becomes a journey of reconciliation, understanding, and shared humanity. Your leadership has made this possible in the past, and we hope to welcome you again soon to continue this sacred work together.

We remain at your disposal to support planning, itinerary development, educational dialogue, and meaningful engagement experiences that reflect the current context of the region while honoring the depth of its spiritual significance.

Thank you for walking with us in faith, in solidarity, and in hope. We look forward to the possibility of hosting you and your groups once again ; to walk together, to pray together, and to continue building relationships that reflect a vision of peace rooted in mutual respect and shared commitment.

“As we light candles for peace this season, we are strengthened by knowing that many hearts around the world are lighting them with us.”

Said Zarzar Travel & Encounter Program Manager

“As we prepare to welcome pilgrims once again during this sacred season of Lent, we are reminded that every shared prayer, every visit, and every act of solidarity becomes a living sign of hope — renewing dignity, strengthening resilience, and affirming that the Holy Land is never alone.”

Said Durzi Zarzar,

TRAVEL & ENCOUNTER PROGRAM MANAGER

Holy Land Trust