For Catholics, this church marks the epicenter of Christ’s passion, death, burial, and resurrection. Its importance isn’t tied to architecture or ceremony—it’s rooted in the belief that Jesus changed history here. That’s why, for so many believers, visiting the Holy Sepulchre becomes more than travel. It becomes a pilgrimage.
Select International Tours, one of the most trusted names in Catholic pilgrimage travel, offers the faithful an opportunity to visit this sacred place as part of a guided journey through the Holy Land. Their itineraries are designed not just to inform, but to lead pilgrims into prayer, reflection, and an experience of the Gospels brought to life.
Layers of Holiness, Built Over Time
Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the first church on this site in the 4th century. His mother, Helena, had come to Jerusalem on a quest to identify places associated with Jesus. When this location was chosen, it quickly became the most visited and revered site in the Christian world.
It has changed hands, been destroyed, rebuilt, and divided among Christian communities—yet it remains one place: the site of Golgotha and the empty tomb.
Walking through the church today can be disorienting. Rooms and chapels unfold in every direction, many of which are preserved by different Christian traditions. What ties them all together is the deep reverence visitors bring with them. Every corner echoes with prayer.
Inside the Church: Places of Deep Encounter
Just beyond the entrance lies the Stone of Anointing. This slab of reddish stone, added in the 19th century, commemorates the preparation of Jesus’ body after He was taken down from the cross. Pilgrims often kneel beside it in silence. Some rest their hands on the surface. Others leave items—such as rosaries, prayer cards, and photographs—asking for grace and healing.
A staircase leads to Calvary. At the top is an ornate altar built over the site where the cross once stood. Pilgrims line up to kneel beneath it and reach down to touch the rock of Golgotha. It’s one of the few places in the world where the line between faith and history feels paper-thin.
At the center of the church stands the Aedicule, a structure that houses the tomb itself. Inside, the chamber is small. Dimly lit. Quiet. The marble slab where Christ was laid remains there, visited by millions. For many, it’s not the sight, but the stillness that leaves the most profound impression.
Pilgrimage as an Act of Faith
Visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not always a peaceful experience. The crowds can be bothersome. The wait times can be long. But there’s something about the atmosphere – despite the noise, despite the movement – that encourages reverence.
Select International Tours understands this balance. Their Holy Land pilgrimages allow travelers the time and spiritual space to engage with the sites in a way that feels meaningful. Daily Mass, guided reflection, and time for private prayer are all part of the rhythm of the journey. The goal is not just to visit a place, but to encounter God through it.
A Shared Tradition Among the Faithful
One of the more surprising aspects of the Holy Sepulchre is the numerous Christian traditions that maintain a presence there. Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Syriac Orthodox communities all share custodianship of the church. Though these groups differ in custom and liturgy, they come together in their care for this sacred place.
For Catholic pilgrims, that experience of unity, however imperfect, is powerful. It reminds visitors that the church is larger than any one tradition—that this story belongs to all who follow Christ.
Why the Journey Matters
In a time when travel is often about escape, a pilgrimage calls people back to something ancient and grounding. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre doesn’t offer comfort in the modern sense. It offers something else: the chance to stand where Jesus stood. To kneel where He was laid. To be reminded that the resurrection is not only a chapter in Scripture, but a living reality.
For those who travel with Select International Tours, that encounter is framed by trust. Their decades of experience, commitment to faithful Catholic travel, and attention to spiritual depth make the journey one that leaves a lasting impression.
Some visits change your outlook. This one can change your soul.