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Fountain of Health

November 18, 2025

Location: Adana, Tarsus, and Cappadocia

We started the day early at 3:30 in the morning, local time. We had to be up at this hour because we had a flight from Istanbul to Adana that departed at 7:00. The security at the airport was quite surprising. Anyone who enters must immediately pass through a metal detector and have their baggage x-rayed upon entering. After passing through security, we checked into our flight and dropped off our checked luggage and went through more extensive security screening that was similar to the TSA back home.

When we arrived in Adana, we boarded our bus, which we will use for the rest of our Turkey pilgrimage section, and traveled to Tarsus to see St. Paul’s Well. Tradition claims that the well was next to St. Paul’s house in Tarsus. When we arrived, we learned that archeologists have discovered the ruins of a roman style home dating to the first century right next to the well. I found this interesting because it helps give credibility to the local tradition. 

St. Paul’s Well in Tarsus

The well’s water is said to have a healing effect on people. A few of my brothers drank some of the water, but I did not. I was content to be sprinkled with the well water that Fr. Joby blessed. It was a simple site with not a lot to see, but I am glad we stopped. 

For me, this marks the true beginning of our pilgrimage. The first day was simply traveling to Turkey and yesterday was focused on learning about the state of Turkey. Today I felt like a pilgrim. Starting at St. Paul’s birthplace made me feel as if I, too, am beginning a journey to follow Jesus wherever He wanted to lead me.

I hope to incorporate this feeling as we continue the pilgrimage. I want to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul. I want to be like St. Paul by being willing to go wherever the Lord asks me. I pray that I can bring the Gospel to everyone I meet by the way I carry myself and the respect I convey. My goal is to be a humble guest in this country and to learn from its rich history.

-Steven Kessler, Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa

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