Holy Land, Walk Where Jesus Walked Pilgrimage

In The Footsteps of Jesus - Holy Land, Israel

Tel Aviv · Caesarea · Nazareth · Cana · Jordan River · Tiberias · Sea of Galilee · Mt. Tabor · Jerusalem · Temple Model · Ein Karem · Bethlehem · Bethany · Jordan Valley · Jericho · Dead Sea · Mt. of Olives · Gethsemane · Mt. Zion · Western & Southern Walls · Via Dolorosa · Holy Sepulchre - Israel

SAMPLE DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY & Flight Arrival/Departure Schedule (May change slightly) 

† Holy Land Pilgrimage †

Day 1: Depart from home airport

Board your flight to Tel-aviv, Israel - Ben Gurion International [TLV]

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv

On arrival in Tel Aviv you will be met by representative and transfer to your hotel in the Tel Aviv area. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 3: Caesarea - Stella Maris - Nazareth - Cana

Theme: The Annunciation - This morning after breakfast leave for Caesarea, which was once the ancient capital of the Roman province. Here you view the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city that once dominated the region. It was at Caesarea that Peter came to understand that the Good News was not for Jews only, but for the whole world. Here he baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, and his family. It was from Caesarea that Paul set sail for Rome, an event that eventually brought Christianity to the World. Continue north to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. After enjoying the view of the bay of Acco, drive to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. At Nazareth visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. In the late afternoon visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother [John 2:1-11]. There visit the Franciscan chapel where those who wish to can perform the renewal of their wedding vows. Continue to Tiberias to check – in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Tiberias: Sea of Galilee

Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee - The day starts at the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Then to Tabgha 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.. In the afternoon drive up to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus told St. Peter “You are the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 5: Jordan River - Mt. Tabor - Jerusalem

Theme: The Transfiguration - Today, after breakfast, start the day by remembering the Baptism at the Jordan River. Then drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. Mass here will be a good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. On arrival in Jerusalem, check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Jerusalem: Temple Model - Ein karem - Bethlehem

Theme: The Visitation and Nativity - Begin the day with a visit to the Second Temple scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. A short drive takes us to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the church that commemorates his memory. Pray the Mystery of the Rosary on the walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. After a break for lunch on our own drive to Bethlehem to see the cave at the Shepherds’ Field. The caves have soot marks of the fires that shepherd’s lit to keep warm while watching over their flocks. In the afternoon we will depart 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. Beneath the Altar, there is a silver star with the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.) After Mass return to the hotel in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Bethany - Jordan Valley - Jericho - Dead Sea

Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness - This morning drive down the Jordan Valley to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Here there will time for a dip in the Dead Sea for those who want to. Then to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, where we view Mt Temptation and the Sycamore Tree. Drive through the Judean Wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and it is in this area that John the Baptist lived and baptized Christ. Then to Bethany where He raised Lazarus from the dead. Celebrate Mass here before returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Jerusalem: Mt. Of Olives - Gethsemane - Mt. Zion - Western Wall

Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden - From 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 — The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Walking down the Palm Sunday Road stop at the beautiful little church, Dominus Flevit - “The Lord wept.” It was here that Jesus wept over Jerusalem [Luke 19:41]. At Gethsemane reflect on Jesus’ final night. The Garden contains trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus. 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 here take the route through the Kidron Valley along which Jesus was taken as a prisoner to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where He was interrogated and imprisoned. Now called Peter in Gallicantu (“crowing rooster”), this beautiful Church also commemorates Peter’s Denial of Christ, his repentance and then being forgiven by Jesus. After Mass go up to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, which commemorates the Last Supper. Nearby is the Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 9: Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa - Holy Sepulchre

Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection - This morning we 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. This afternoon there will be time to revisit the Old City. Dinner and Overnight.

Day 10: - Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for the flight home.

Error & Omission applies..