Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. David and Fr. Gros

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we pass through Immigration and Customs, collect our luggage in bag-gage claim, and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Our English-speaking Christian Tour Guide will meet us here and accompany our group throughout our Holy Land pilgrimage. Mass will be celebrated at Duc in Altum (TBC) at Magdala Center. Open buffet dinner at the hotel. Overnight Sea of Galilee. (D)

After breakfast, which is included each morning, we visit the Church of Annunciation, where we celebrate Mass. Continue to St. Joseph Church and the Church of the Nutrition. Our next stop is Cana of Galilee, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, where couples will have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Be sure to bring your wedding rings for this special occasion. We stop at Mt. Precipice, where we have a great view of the Jezreel Valley. The angry multitudes wanted to throw Jesus from this mountain after his teaching at the Nazareth Synagogue. According to Luke, the village of Naim (Nain) was one of the cities in the Galilee region where Jesus toured, accompanied by his 12 apostles and assistant women, in the summer of 29AD (approximate date). During this visit, he performed a miracle, bringing the widow’s only son back to life. We see the village of Naim and the Gospel Trail, where Jesus and his Disciples would have walked. Dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)

After breakfast, we depart for Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus taught His important teaching on how He would build His Church (Matthew 16). We celebrate Mass and have lunch before returning to the hotel to enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Tonight we taste some fantastic food during dinner in one of the best restaurants in Israel, Magdalena. (B.L.Special dinner)

This morning, we enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Continue our day with a visit to the beautiful Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus taught his followers. After a lunch of St. Peter’s Fish, we depart for Capernaum, home to Peter and one of the first towns where the gospel was preached. Here we celebrate Mass. Next, we visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter, situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Our last stop is the Church of Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes (B.L.D)

This morning, we visit Mt. Tabor, where we celebrate Mass at the Church of Transfiguration before we travel to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation and St. John’s Grotto. In the after-noon, we settle into the Notre Dame Hotel, where we have dinner and overnight. (B.L.D)

Today we spend in Bethlehem and start with a visit to Shepherd’s Field and Grotto, where the Angel appeared along with a multitude of the heavenly host announcing the birth of the Savior (Lk 2:8-20). We visit the Milk Grotto before we break for lunch on our own. This afternoon we visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity – 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 see the Church of St. Catherine next door and celebrate Mass in St. Jerome’s Grotto. Following Mass, we stop at a Christian cooperative store and shop in support of the Christian families in Bethlehem. Tonight, we enjoy meeting the Christians of Bethlehem in their homes and Sharing the Bread with them. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.Special dinner)

We depart for Qasr al-Yahud, located in the wilderness part of the Jordan River, thought to be the authentic place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Then continue to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we celebrate Mass. We see the Mt. of Temptation in the distance and Tel Jericho. Enjoy a lunch of local dishes accompanied by freshly baked bread. After lunch, we drive to the Dead Sea to take a dip in the mineral-filled waters (Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit) and shop for Dead Sea Products. En route back to our hotel in Jerusalem, we stop at the Shadow of the Valley of Death to view the sunset. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.D)

We begin the day at the top of the Mt. of Olives. We explore Ascension Chapel and visit the Church of Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. Marvel at the panoramic view from the Mt. of Olives–seeing the eternal golden city. 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 visit the Garden of Gethsemane, the Tomb of the Virgin, and the Basilica of Agony, where we celebrate Mass. After lunch, we drive to Mt Zion, where we visit St Peter in Gal-licantu, the Upper Room, and Dormition Abbey. We visit the Wailing Wall, the holiest site for the Jewish People, and see the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, sacred places for Muslims. Dinner tonight is at DeJa Bu. Overnight in Jerusalem (B.L.Special Dinner)

We start the day early by praying the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, ending with Solemn Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We visit the Chapel of Flagellation, St. Anne’s Church, and see the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the Paralytic. Lunch and the rest of the afternoon and dinner are at leisure. Tonight we enjoy our farewell dinner at the Wine and Cheese Restaurant overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B. Farewell dinner)