In the Footsteps of Jesus - 9 Days Roman Catholic Pilgrimage
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- Duration: 9 Days (approx.)
- Location: Jerusalem
- Product code: P3JGE5
DAY 1, USA - TEL AVIV: Depart USA for an overnight flight to Tel Aviv.
DAY 2, TEL AVIV: We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We will visit the Ancient Sea Port of Jaffa, known to be the oldest Seaport in the world. Enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest while we celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Church . We continue to our hotel for overnight in the coastal area of Netanya. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. (D) Ramada Hotel & Suites 4* Netanya
DAY 3, NETANYA – CAESAREA – MUHRAKA – NAZARETH: After breakfast, we will travel up the coast to Caesarea, once capital of the Roman province, see Roman and Crusader remains, theater and harbor from which St. Paul was taken prisoner to Rome. Continue to Muhraka on Mt. Carmel for a spectacular view and visit the Cave of Elijah as well Stella Maris Monastery. Next we visit Mount of Precipice “where Mary wept”, continue to Nazareth, the site of the Annunciation where Jesus spent part of his life until he set out on his Ministry, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, church of Archangel Gabriel, Mary's Well, House of Holy Family and Joseph's Church and Workshop. Check in at our hotel for our 2 night stay. (B, D) Ramada Hotel 4* Nazareth
DAY 4, NAZARETH - CANA—CAPERNAUM -TABGHA -MAGDALA -TIBERIAS: This morning after breakfast, a short ride to Cana, site of the Lord's first Miracle, visiting the Greek Orthodox
Church and Roman Catholic Church - home of Apostle Nathanael. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Next a short ride to Tabgha, site of the miracle of the – “Multiplication of Loaves and Fish” where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. Here after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told
Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” [John 21:9]. A short drive away is 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. We will visit Peter’s mother-in-law’s house and Mensa Christi (John 21) where Jesus had breakfast with Peter and asked, “Do you love me?” Visit the Monastery of Saints Peter and Andrew, Monastery of Holy Apostles. Our next stop Magdala, Mary Magdalene’s city. We know from the Gospels that Jesus Yeshua) delivered this woman from a
demonized life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve selected disciples did not accomplish. She followed Jesus all the
way to the cross (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first witness to the resurrection of the Lord (John 20:14-18). Mass at “Duc in Altum” church. By the Sea of Galilee, St. Peter fish luncheon awaits us. Our last stop Mt. Tabor, site of our Lord's Transfiguration. The feast of the Transfiguration of Christ celebrates the revelation of Christ's divine glory on Mount Tabor in Galilee (Matthew 17:1-6; Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:28-36). After revealing to His disciples that He would be put to death in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21), Christ, along with Ss. Peter, James, and John, went up the mountain. There, Saint Matthew writes, "he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow." Rest of day at your leisure. (B, L, D) Ramada Hotel 4* Nazareth
DAY 5, NAZARETH - JERICHO -BAPTISMAL SITE of JESUS - JERURALEM: This morning we travel south to Jericho, the oldest city on earth, and view the Mt. of Temptation (Luke 4) and Elisha’s spring. Later on we continue to Jordan River- the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist - prayer and baptismal. Travel through the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, visiting the Home of Zacchaeus, Good Samaritan Inn and the magnificent views of Monastery of St. George Hotzivas in Wadi Kelt and Judean Hills. Our next stop Jerusalem. We will travel the ancient road leading to Galilee to Zion – and see the “valley of the shadow of Death.” We enter Jerusalem, to the Mt. of Olives observation point. Standing in the footsteps of Jesus, we will look over the city to the - Golden Gate, the Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock, the old city of Jerusalem, city of David, the church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the modern city. (Psalm 122). Dinner and
overnight. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem
DAY 6, JERUSALEM - EIN KAREM - BETHLEHEM – BETHANY - JERUSALEM: This morning a short drive takes us to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the church that commemorates his memory. Mid-morning continue to Bethlehem and visit the Basilica of the Nativity built over the birthplace of our Lord. Mass will be celebrated. Visit St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, Cave of St. Jerome, Crypt and Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Fields - site of the Angel's message of "Good News". Later we visit the Monasteries of Prophet Elias (Elijah) and the Monastery of the Cross. Continue to Bethany to visit the Tomb of Lazarus, Monastery of Martha and Mary and Rachel’s Tomb. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem
DAY 7, JERUSALEM - BETHSPHAGE: This morning we begin Holy Week Palm Sunday Road Walk through Mt. of Olives, Dominus Flevit, and the Church of the Pater Noster, built on the traditional site where Christ taught the Lord's Prayer; its name refers to the “Our Father” prayer. Garden of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane The Rock of Agony, where Jesus wept and sweat blood. (Mark 14). Church of all Nations, House of Caiaphas “Gallicantu”. Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the St. Stephens Lions Gate and visit the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus cured the Paralytic man (John 5). (Via Dolorosa) we trace the footsteps of Jesus along the Way of the Cross, Calvary, the Anointing Stone and the Most Holy Tomb of Christ , Holy Sepulcher. Mass in the Crusader’s chapel of the Resurrection at the Holy Sepulcher and St Helen’s Chapel. Tonight “Farewell Party” with Israeli songs and folk dancing. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem
DAY 8, JERUSALEM: This morning Visit the Church of St. Anne. Mass and meeting with Latin Patriarch or his deputy of Jerusalem. Later we visit the Wailing Wall, the western retaining wall of the 2nd temple, walk through the old city bazaar to the Jewish Quarter. Then off to the Shrine of book and see the amazing Dead Sea Scrolls, perhaps the most important archaeological finding in history. Time permitting we visit the Temple Mount, Mt. Moriah, where Abraham brought his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Here is also the location where the 1st and 2nd temples were built. Today you will have free time to visit any sites that you may have missed in the old city on your own. Retrace to the Holy Sepulcher, the site of His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Meditation and prayer at the Tomb of Jesus. Tonight enjoy dinner with your fellow pilgrims to celebrate the end of a spiritual and rewarding experience. (B, D) The Olive Tree Hotel 4*- Jerusalem
DAY 9, TEL AVIV / USA: You will transfer to the airport for your return flight home. After walking in the footsteps of our Lord, the Bible is now more alive, more familiar, and more personal than ever before. (B)
Late evening Flights: You will have full day at your leisure to catch up any sites you missed in the old city or just relax and wonder through the streets full of shops for last minute souvenirs. You need to check out of your hotel by 12:00 noon. Luggage can be left at a secure place within the hotel. Optional: Keep your room up to 8pm with Dinner $50.00 p.p.
Transfers. International flights require that you check-in at least 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours prior to flight departure.
Package Includes:
¨ Pre-trip meetings and prayer at your church
¨ First class Hotel Accommodations throughout
¨ Meals included: 7 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners
¨ Full sightseeing by Private Deluxe Air-Conditioned Motor Coach with one of the best Israeli guide-lecturer in the Holy Land in addition to our spiritual adviser.
¨ St. Peter fish lunch on the Sea of Galilee.
¨ All entrance fees to all sights on the itinerary.
¨ “Spiritual Baptism” at Jordan River– (site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist).
¨ Pilgrimage certificates from the ministry of tourism the state of Israel.
¨ Farewell party Israeli songs and Israeli folk dancing one evening.
¨ All transfers throughout airport & hotels.
¨ All hotel taxes, service charges.
¨ Porterage for 1 suitcase per person.
Price Excludes: Airfare & airport taxes (except those which are specified), passports & visas, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, food not indicated in the itinerary, gratuities of any kind, expenses of a personal nature, excess luggage and transfer of the same.
