It was in June of 2011 that I had the good fortune to make, together with Marta, my first trip to Israel. During the first days of the journey we conducted a Business Mission with FEMCAT to try to understand the distinctive features of the Israeli entrepreneurial ecosystem,without doubt one of the most advanced in the world. But Marta and I decided to stay a few more days to get to know, first hand, that land we had so often dreamed of.

I could never describe in words what a Christian may feel when he walks for the first time into the Homeland of Jesus ... the light, the sounds, the smells, the landscapes, the serenity of the lake... the spirit of a land that has changed the course of History. On that first trip accompanied by Ronit Choclin, our Jewish guide, we missed three things... first: the accompaniment of a spiritual guide; second: the warmth of a group of friends; and third: a written Guidebook, simple and comprehensive in content, to complement the splendid explanations and anecdotes that Ronit provided us with.

Four years later, the Abstinence Syndrome made us return to the Holy Land, this time with my parents, Narcis and Anna Maria, my aunt Carmen... Father Pere Bellvert who acted as our spiritual guide and, of course, plenty of companions from the Girona region... Ronit was our tour guide again, but we added an exceptional organizer, our good friend Pere Codina-Gironella. Much to my surprise, when sitting on a bench in Nazareth next to the home of Joseph and Mary, Pere showed me in detail the manuscript of a guide that he had been putting together during so many years of wandering through this land touched by the hand of Heaven. I did not hesitate a minute in convincing him that his work should be published.

The History of the Holy places that are described; the Gospels of each visit that evoke unrepeatable moments; the maps and chronologies of Jesus; the anecdotes and experiences with Ronit; but above all the love for the Prince of Peace that permeates the entire work,make "VIVÈNCIES D'UN GIRONÍ A TERRA SANTA" (EXPERIENCES OF A GIRONA MAN IN THE HOLY LAND) an indispensable tool for all pilgrims in search of transcendent answers. Pere, I’ve told you more than once... that your book will be good for many people. Not only those who have already experienced the Holy Land, but also all those who are about to have the experience as well as those who will be eager to make the trip after reading about all the experiences in your book.

Pere, I think we must congratulate you and A LOT for the initiative you have launched that, I hope, may transform many many souls. Ladies, gentlemen, I fervently hope that you will be as informed and moved by this magnificent work of Pere Codina as I have been...

Happy Pilgrimage!!!