Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with John Leonetti

Arriving in Tel Aviv, we meet our guide and board our deluxe motor coach, which takes us to the Galilee region.

*Time permitting, we visit Mt. Carmel to celebrate Mass at Stella Maris Church before arriving at our hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee area. (D)

*Program on this day may change depending on flight time.

Following breakfast, which is included each morning, we visit Nazareth to see the newly- discovered Byzantine ruins of the Church of the Nutrition, believed to be the childhood home of Jesus, located beneath the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. Continue to St. Joseph Church and then the Church of the Annunciation, where we celebrate Mass. We stop at Mt. Precipice, the traditional site of the cliff that an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus from after his bold proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue (Lk 4:28-30). From this precipice, we enjoy a wonderful view of the Jezreel Valley. We end our day at the Wedding Church in Cana for the Renewal of the Wedding Vows. Overnight on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (B.L.D)

We start our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and then visit Mt. of Beatitudes. In Capernaum, the town of Jesus, we see Peter’s house and celebrate Mass. At Tabgha, we see the restored Church of Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves. See, Kursi, in the land of the Gerasenes on the eastern shores of the Sea, where Jesus cast the demonic spirits from the man and sent them into the herd of swine. We conclude visit the Church of Saint Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep.” Lunch of St. Peter’s Fish is included at the Pilgerhaus. Tonight, we enjoy dinner in Magdalena restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Israel. Dinner and overnight on the Sea of Galilee. (B.L. Special dinner)

Travel north through the Hula Valley to Caesarea Philippi, where Simon confessed Jesus as Messiah, and Jesus declared Simon to be Peter, and the Rock, upon which He would build His Church. Here we celebrate Mass. We see the source of the River Jordan before going to Golan Heights for a Druze lunch and a view of Lebanon and Syria, where we better understand the complicated Middle Eastern political situation through a brief overview. Our last stop of the day is Magdala and the Duc in Altum Spiritual Center. Tonight’s dinner is at the Hermitage restaurant. Return to our hotel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee for overnight. (B.L.Special dinner.)

This morning, we depart for Mt. Tabor to see the Church of the Transfiguration, where we celebrate Mass. We drive toward Jerusalem, stopping first to visit Ein Karem to see Mary’s Spring and the birthplace of John the Baptist. Visit the Church of Visitation where Our Blessed Mother prayed her Magnificat (Lk 1:39-56). Overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.D)

We are in Bethlehem today, visiting the Church of Nativity, built by the emperors Constantine and Justinian, with its new renovations and newly-uncovered mosaics. We pray in St. Jerome’s Grotto after visiting the Manger Grotto below the Church of Nativity, marking the birthplace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Nearby is the Milk Grotto, where the Holy Family stopped during their flight into Egypt before driving a short distance to Shepherd’s Field and Grotto to celebrate Mass. Continue our day with shopping in Bethlehem to support our Christian brothers and sisters. Tonight we have a presentation on the Holy Shroud at the Notre Dame Center and a visit to Pentecost Hall. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B.L.D)

This morning we drive through the magnificent scenery of the Judean Desert to the Baptismal site on the River Jordan. Our next stop is Jericho, where we see the Mt. of Temptation in the distance and celebrate Mass. Following lunch, we depart for the Dead Sea to float in the mineral-rich waters. Overnight Jerusalem. (B.L.D)

This morning, we follow the Passion of Christ, starting with a visit to the Mount of Olives. We visit the church at Bethpage, where the Palm Sunday procession begins, the Ascension Chapel, Pater Noster, and Dominus Flevit. Walking down the Palm Sunday Road, we arrive at the Basilica of Agony, where we celebrate Mass. Walk along the Kidron Valley, passing Absalom Tomb, pausing by the water gate through which Jesus would have entered the city in chains to the high priest Caiaphas’ house. We see the prison at St. Peter in Gallicantu and visit Mount Zion, where the early Christians assembled after the Ascension of Jesus. We visit the Upper Room, the location of the Last Supper, and where the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowers the Church for its mission. Today we have lunch in a Jewish Kibbutz. Dinner is at leisure tonight to explore the local cuisine. Overnight in Jerusalem (B.L)

We start the day early along the Via Dolorosa after grabbing a to-go cup of coffee from the lobby coffee cart. We begin praying at the Stations of the Cross along the Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa), which culminates at the holiest site in the world for Christians – The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church is constructed over the site of Jesus’ crucifixion (Golgotha), burial, and resurrection (empty tomb). We celebrate the Solemn Mass in this most hallowed of churches. Following Mass, we return to the hotel for breakfast and some rest. Later this morning, we visit St. Anne’s Church and see the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic. We see the Chapel of Flagellation, Ecce Homo, and have some time at leisure for last-minute shopping. Tonight we have a memorable farewell dinner, enjoying the food, each other’s company, and recalling our pilgrimage’s great moments. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B, Special dinner)