How a visit to the Holy Land changed a “de facto Catholic”

Many who have been to the Holy Land share a similar take-away: For Hunter Bratton, visiting the Sea of Galilee “contextualized the Gospel stories that took place there.” Reading those passages later, “you have a much better mental image,” he told Aleteia.

One of the most “impactful and meaningful” experiences of his pilgrimage was at the Pool of Bethesda. Hunter admitted it’s “pretty hard” to say there’s a stop you don’t like when visiting the places where Jesus lived, preached, and died; some just hit deeper and stay with you longer.

The Gospel of John, Chapter 5, tells of the man who’d been ill for 38 years who encountered Jesus and was healed by him. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be well and the man responds with desperation — he has no one to help put him into the water, and once he gets close after it’s been stirred, someone gets in before him. The Lord tells him to rise, take his mat and walk and, the evangelist writes, “immediately the man became well.”

For Hunter, who had come to Bethesda with personal intentions for healing from long-term suffering, being in the place where this miracle took place “meant so much to me, because Jesus healed this man” after he’d endured for almost four decades. 

At times, he said, the cross can feel like a comfort. “I used to be pretty fixated on that — not that I don’t still think about it, but there’s so much more beyond the suffering and violence of the cross.” Being where Jesus performed miracles helped him realize “the goodness and richness of those miracles and the hope we can have for the miracles God works in our lives every day, be they big or small.” He was moved by reflecting on how Jesus shows us up in ordinary and miraculous ways, every day. 

“Jesus hasn’t forgotten us because he’s always with us,” Hunter expressed. “That’s what he told us, what he promised us … and at some point, we will see the other side of whatever it is we’re going through.”

Born in North Carolina, Hunter was raised near Louisville, Kentucky, where most of his relatives still live. He currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, and feels he’s living out his dreams. Since childhood trips west to visit National Parks, Hunter has wanted to live in the region. (It helps that his girlfriend, who’s pursuing a PhD in organic chemistry at Colorado State University, lives there also.) 

Hunter made his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in November 2022 with Verso Ministries, based in Notre Dame, Indiana. He had graduated (early) in 2021 and was working for the Catholic pilgrimage company. 

Although attending the University of Notre Dame had not been on his radar — especially as a non-denominational Protestant — Hunter fell in love with the school when he visited as a high school junior. Minoring in theology was also something not in the plans, but during his first (of two) required theology course he “just ended up falling in love with it.” He commented on incredible faculty teaching Notre Dame’s theology classes, “I was just very grateful to learn from such brilliant and thoughtful professors.”

“I always tell people I’ve become a ‘de facto’ Catholic,’” having close Catholic connections. He still attends various services depending on who he’s with, but appreciates and values the Mass. 

The first Catholic Mass that Hunter ever attended was on Notre Dame’s campus, and he regularly attended dorm and campus Masses as a student. Describing the “very traditional and structured” liturgy as “very different” from what he was used to, Hunter said that “the worst part of going to Mass for somebody who’s not Catholic” is not partaking in the Eucharist, “which is what the Mass builds up to…” 

He understands the doctrine and even now values sharing worship — “this very important part of your life” — with friends and co-workers. When he worked for Verso he attended team Masses and still goes if he is with Catholic friends. Although Hunter has done considerable research into Catholicism, he has “put a pin in” thoughts about converting. When asked about this he pondered, “It’s not so much a commitment thing, as I’m not ready to go ‘all in on Catholicism’ to the exclusion of all other churches … I love exploring, learning, and seeing how different churches and communities practice their faith.”

“There’s something beautiful about the universality of Christianity … How everybody’s part and experience with God is so unique and personal.”

Daily Mass was also part of the pilgrimage, something he shared with his mother because she excitedly joined him for the trip. Raised in the Church of Christ, Hunter’s mom has been a lifelong student of the Bible and greatly influenced her son’s faith. He feels grateful to have shared “this special trip together.” It was a chance for them to “connect so many dots and nerd out on it together.”

Another of Hunter’s favorite pilgrimage sites was St. Peter in Gallicantu, the church that commemorates Peter’s denial of Christ and his repentance. Under the church is the dungeon believed to be where Jesus was held before he was crucified. He recalled reciting Psalm 88 in that place. The Psalmist was crying out to God, feeling desperation and “like God had abandoned him…  I think it showcases Jesus’ humanity,” Hunter shared. 

“He is the son of God but, as a human, he still felt desperation and a little hopeless… as we all feel at times. But the good news we have is that we are not alone, because Jesus is always with us.”

“It doesn’t always feel easy, but we can at least carry that truth with us when we’re going through hard times.” As one of the guides read the psalm in that place where Jesus lived through one of his darkest hours, Hunter pressed into his own “very solemn” moments: “He is with us through it all.”

“I just really, really loved the wide variety of sites and churches we got to see because each one was another reminder of that, and the goodness and glory of God,” he added. The Church of All Nations (also known as the Basilica of the Agony) was another special place for Hunter.

Being able to sit and pray another of his “favorite parts of the Gospel — where Jesus prayed, Abba, Father, for you all things are possible,” Hunter remembers praying the Lord’s words over and over. 

The group celebrated Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a “surreal” experience. They were tired after getting up early and walking the Stations of the Cross beforehand, but Hunter was moved by their pilgrim chaplain’s visible emotion. Commemorating the Crucifixion with the celebration of the Mass, it was hard to put the experience into words. The priest was “just so moved and so touched … I have to imagine it’s something a lot of priests might dream of doing one day.” 

Hunter expressed his desire, “one of those places I wish every Christian could go and experience.” The impact it had on him was real, as real as Jesus was … and is.