Presentation of the book “Traces of our faith”

The next Friday 22 from September to the 19:00h. our vice-rector of San Juan del Hospital, D. Jesús Gil will present the book: “Traces of our faith” in the Paulinas bookstore in Valencia.

Throughout 27 chapters, Jesús Gil and Eduardo Gil tour the main places related to the life of Jesus: Nazareth, Ain Karim, Belen, Jerusalem, the jordan river, Caná, Capernaun, the sea of ​​Gennesaret, Bethany, Emmaus… Its descriptions go beyond what tourist guides usually offer, because they intend to prepare for the encounter with Jesus that involves a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Veracity of the Holy Places

The authors resort to data from Holy Scripture, to historical testimonies and results of archaeological investigations to explain the veracity of each site. They also include spiritual notes with the hope that they help the reader to meditate on the scenes of the Gospel., so that the Word of God resonates effectively in one's life.

All these resources, united with more than 250 photographs, maps and graphs, They are mixed organically in each chapter so that the reader acquires the precise information, without going into verbose details.

Thousands of readers in eight languages

This edition of Traces of our faith reaches Spanish bookstores endorsed by tens of thousands of readers around the world, who have enjoyed the book since 2016, when it began to be distributed through print-on-demand services and as an electronic publication.

It was originally released in Spanish and English. In the following years, the authors added the chapters on the place of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan and on the pool of Bethesda. They were also incorporating new photos, maps and infographics, some provided by National Geographic Magazine. At the same time, Italian translations added, Polish, German, Portuguese, French and Korean.

It is revealing to review the reviews left by readers on print-on-demand services or the messages sent to authors. People from different countries and languages ​​agree that they see Traces of Our Faith not exactly as a travel guide., but as a book to read before and after a pilgrimage. Before, to prepare it and thus take better advantage of the explanations that will be received in the Holy Places. And then, to relive everything experienced, assimilating it in a more leisurely way, in contrast to the intense rhythm that usually characterizes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

At once, a few indicate that they planned a trip on their own, in family, without organized group or guide, and that they used the Bible and Traces of our faith as reference books.

Apart of this, It is a unanimous opinion that the quality and quantity of the infographics, Maps and photos help a lot to locate the places. In this sense, The book also serves as a virtual pilgrimage for those who find it impossible to undertake a trip to the Holy Land..

“Traces of our faith” It thus becomes useful reading both for those preparing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and for those who wish to relive it afterwards., once back home.

Extended version

 The extended version, includes photographs and details of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land that Blessed Álvaro del Portillo made in 1994. It is significant content for the faithful of Opus Dei and its collaborators.. Saint Josemaría Escrivá wanted to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and dreamed of launching several apostolic initiatives there for the benefit of the Church., such as the Saxum project. Nevertheless, due to various circumstances, could not see those wishes fulfilled. His first successor at the head of Opus Dei, Blessed Álvaro del Portillo, made that old wish come true, visiting the Holy Places of the 14 to the 22 March of 1994. In the early morning of the day 23, a few hours after returning to Rome, God called him into his presence. He had celebrated the Eucharist for the last time in the Cenacle church.

PLACE OF THE BOOK PRESENTATION: 

PAULINAS

Plaza de la Reina, 2. 40003 Valencia