9 Day Catholic Holy Land Pilgrimage

Visit Caesarea, where a Roman centurion was the first convert to Christianity. Here you view the archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city that once dominated the region.  Tour Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. At Nazareth, celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation, and visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. Then we will continue to Cana. There visit the Franciscan chapel where those who wish to can perform the renewal of their wedding vows. Overnight in Tiberias.

The day starts at the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Then on to the Sea of Galilee for an enjoyable boat ride. We will continue to Tabgha where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. We will do a short drive away in Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home. Celebrate Mass in this special place. Continue to the hotel. Overnight in Tiberias.

We will start the day by remembering the Baptism at the Jordan River. Then drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.Then to Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Celebrate Mass here. Then we will continue to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Overnight in Jerusalem.

We will visit the Second Temple scale model at the Israel Museum for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. We will continue to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the church that commemorates him. Pray the Mystery of the Rosary on the walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. We will continue to Bethlehem to see the cave at the Shepherds’ Field. Then to Bethlehem, beginning at Manger Square which stands in front of one of the oldest of Christian churches, the Church of the Nativity. Enter the Church and down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth. After Mass at the Church of St. Catherine return to the hotel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

On the Mount of Olives take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem. Then to the Pater Noster shrine, where Jesus taught His disciples the Pater Noster. Walking down the Palm Sunday Road stop at the beautiful little church, Dominus Flevit. At Gethsemane reflect on Jesus’ final night. Visit the Church of All Nations to pray at the “Rock of Agony,” a section of bedrock identified as the place where Jesus prayed alone in the garden on the night of His arrest. From there take the route through the Kidron Valley along which Jesus was taken as a prisoner to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, now called Peter in Gallicantu. Here we celebrate Mass. Go up to Mount Zion to visit the Upper Room, commemorating the Last Supper. Nearby is the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Overnight in Jerusalem.

We will start the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. From there He was taken through the city to be crucified. The Stations of the Cross lead, through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here is the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ. Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the afternoon visit Abou Ghosh, probably site of Emmaus, where Jesus appeared to the two Disciples after the Resurrection. Here visit the lovely Crusader church and meditate in the beautiful gardens tended by the nuns. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Ride the cable car to the ancient city of Jericho and see the remains of the walls, then to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will visit the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi where King David hid from Saul and drive through the Judean Desert where Jesus spent 40 days fasting. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

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