Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. James Mayer, O. de M.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are greeted by our English-speaking Christian tour guide and assisted with customs and passport control. Board our motor coach and drive to Jaffa for a short visit. Continue to Stella Maris where we celebrate Mass. At our hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee we have a well-deserved night of rest. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Magdala on the Sea of Galilee area. (D.)

Our day starts with a visit to Cana, where couples may choose to renew their wedding vows at the Wedding Church. A short drive takes us to Nazareth, the town of Mary’s home, where Jesus played as a child, learned a trade, and grew to manhood. We visit Mary’s Well and St. Joseph’s Church. Later this morning, we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation. Here St. John Paul II celebrated Mass during his historic visit to the Holy Land in the Great Jubilee Year of Our Lord 2000. We stop at Mt. Precipice, from where we have a magnificent view of the Jezreel Valley. The angry multitudes wanted to throw Jesus from this mountain after His teaching at the Nazareth Synagogue. On our way to the Sea of Galilee region, we follow the Gospel Trail. First, we stop at the Golani Junction to see the Roman Road that Jesus used to walk on. Our next stops are the Arbel Cliffs and Valley of the Doves, following in Jesus’ footsteps on His way from Nazareth to Capernaum, the route that he must have taken numerous times throughout His life. Tonight, enjoy a special welcome dinner at Magdalena Restaurant with a choice of wine, beer, or soda (up to two glasses per person). Overnight in the Sea of Galilee area. (B.L.Special dinner)

This morning, we depart for the Sea of Galilee to enjoy a morning boat ride and visit the “Jesus Boat,” a boat from the time of Jesus. We celebrate Mass at the Mt. of Beatitudes. Enjoy a taste of St. Peter’s Fish at the Hermitage before departing for Capernaum, where Jesus began His Galilean ministry. Here we explore the synagogue which dates to the time of Christ and see the site of St. Peter’s home. Visit the church with a glass floor constructed over the site, allowing us to look down into the excavated ruins of Peter’s house. Our next stop is to the Church of the Primacy of Peter, situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter, “Feed my lambs; feed my sheep,” (John 21:9). Our last stop is the Church of Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, commemorating where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. This afternoon we travel north to Banias to visit Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, and visit the gates of Hades, Augustus Temple, and the High Place where the Romans worshiped the God called Pan. Dinner and overnight Sea of Galilee area. (B.L.D).

Following breakfast and check-out, we visit Magdala and Mt. Tabor to see the Church of Transfiguration, where we celebrate Mass. Then, it’s off to enjoy the sea, ruins, and salty air at Caesarea Maritima, the ancient harbor from which St. Paul set off to spread the Good News! Lunch today is on our own at the port of Caesarea Maritima. Tonight, dinner will be at Cheers, a local restaurant in Bethlehem. Overnight in Bethlehem. (B.Special dinner)

Following breakfast, we drive to the Mt. of Olives to visit the Ascension Chapel and the Church of Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. Marvel at the panoramic view, appreciating the eternal golden city of Jerusalem. We walk along Palm Sunday Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city. Continue along the Jewish cemetery with a view over the Eastern Gate. We spend some quiet time in the Garden of Gethsemane, also known as the Gar-den of Betrayal, where, since the fourth century, tradition has placed the betrayal by Judas. Walk over to the Basilica of Agony, also known as the Church of All Nations, where we celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we visit Caiaphas Palace and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Our final stop of the day is the Upper Room. Settle into our hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before dinner. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Bethlehem. (B.L.D.)

We begin our day in Bethlehem with a visit to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, located above the birthplace of Christ. Bending low as we enter through the Door of Humility, we enter the church and descend into the Grotto of Nativity. Beneath the altar, a 14-pointed silver star marks the exact spot surrounded by the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here, Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). We celebrate Mass (TBC) and visit St. Jerome’s Grotto and then the Milk Grotto. We visit Shepherds Field and Grotto after a relaxing lunch in Bethlehem. Tonight, the group will be split up into smaller groups of 6 – 8 people and transferred to local Christian homes to enjoy a home-cooked meal as part of our Sharing the Bread program. Overnight in Bethlehem. (B.L.Special dinner.)

After breakfast and checkout, we visit a Christian store in Bethlehem to do some shopping. The Kando family is related to the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and we have an opportunity to see the actual Dead Sea Scrolls Jar. Our next stop is to take pictures and pray at the Separation Wall, just as Pope Francis did during his visit to Bethlehem. Continue to Bethany to see the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and celebrate Mass. We stop for the Renewal of Baptismal Promises at Qasr Al Yahoud. This site holds the oldest and most ancient tradition for being the place of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan (Mathew, 3:13-17). Then depart for Jericho – the first city to be captured by Joshua as part of his conquest of the Land and the site of the Mount of Temptation. Later, drive to the Dead Sea, take a dip in the salty waters, and shop for Dead Sea products. Be sure to bring your bathing suit! Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.D.)

Start the day early by praying at the Stations of the Cross along the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa). We are blessed to be able to celebrate Mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Jesus was crucified and buried. We return to the hotel for breakfast and rest. Our day continues with visits to St. Anne’s Church and to see the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the Paralytic. Then on to the Antonia Fortress, the Ecce Homo. Walking through the Jewish Quarter, we reach the Wailing Wall and tuck a prayer in one of the crevices. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B.D.)

Following breakfast we travel to the Israel Museum, where we visit the Second Temple Period Model of Jerusalem, a 1:50 scaled model of the city from the 1st century AD, followed by a visit to the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on exhibit, in addition to the archeological section where many artifacts are displayed. We continue to Ein Karem to see the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of Visitation where we celebrate Mass. Enjoy a farewell dinner at City View Restaurant. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B. Special Dinner.)