The Holy Land

Today marks the beginning of an extraordinary pilgrimage as you board your flight to the Holy Land. Get ready for a truly transformative spiritual experience as you walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

DAY 2: TEL AVIV / NETANYA

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you will go through customs, meet your tour guide, and transfer to your hotel in Netanya, where you will have dinner with your fellow pilgrims.

DAY 3: CAESAREA BY THE SEA / MUHRAQA / MT. CARMEL / HAIFA / TIBERIAS

We start the day at Caesarea Maritima and view the ancient remains of Herod’s palace. We will then celebrate Mass at Deir Al-Muhraqa Carmelite Monastery, where Elijah confronted the Prophets of Baal and Asherah (I Kgs. 18). Next, we will visit Stella Maris Monastery on Mt. Carmel and Haifa City. Afterward, we will drive to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee to check into your hotel and have dinner.

DAY 4: CANA / NAZARETH / MOUNT PRECIPICE / MT. TABOR / TIBERIAS

We start the day with Mass at Cana, commemorating Jesus’ first miracle at the Wedding Church, where couples can renew their vows. Next, we visit Nazareth to see the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well, and the old market. After that, we enjoy the view from Mount Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley, followed by a visit to the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, before returning to your hotel in Tiberias for dinner.

DAY 5: SEA OF GALILEE / ANCIENT BOAT / CAESAREA PHILIPPI / MAGDALA

Today, we’ll start with a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Next, we’ll visit Kibbutz Ginosar to see the ancient boat from Jesus’ time, then head to Caesarea Philippi at the foot of Mount Hermon. We’ll also visit Magdala, the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, where we’ll explore the ruins of a synagogue featuring the oldest carved menorah found in public. After Mass, we’ll return to Tiberias for dinner at the hotel.

DAY 6: MT. OF BEATITUDES / TABGHA / CAPERNAUM / CHORAZIN / ZIPPORI / JERUSALEM

Today, we will visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and then Tabgha, the site of the “Feeding of the 5,000.” Next, we’ll stop at the Church of the Primacy of Peter, followed by Capernaum, where Jesus lived and began his ministry. We’ll also explore the ruins of Chorazin and then drive to Zippori to see beautiful mosaics from Jesus’ time. Finally, we’ll head to Jerusalem, check into our hotel, and enjoy dinner together.

DAY 7: BETHLEHEM

This morning in Bethlehem, we begin with a visit to Shepherds’ Field. Afterward, we will see the Church of the Nativity, the site where Jesus was born. We will celebrate Mass, followed by a short visit to the Milk Grotto. At the end of the day, we will return to the hotel in Jerusalem and have dinner.

DAY 8: JERUSALEM

After breakfast, we start our day on the Mt. of Olives at the Church of the Pater Noster, where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. We’ll walk the Palm Sunday route to Dominus Flevit, then through the Garden of Gethsemane to see the Rock of Agony. We’ll celebrate Mass at the Church of All Nations and visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Continuing to Mount Zion, we’ll see the Upper Room, King David’s Tomb, and the Church of the Dormition. We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus, before returning to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 9: JERUSALEM

We begin our day retracing the last steps of Jesus as we walk along the Via Dolorosa through the Old City’s markets, praying at the Stations of the Cross and reflecting on the greatness of his sacrifice. Next, we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass, followed by a visit to St. Anne’s Church, the Ecce Homo, and the Western Temple Wall. Walk through the tunnel underneath the streets, partly paved since the time of Jesus. The rest of the day is open for you to visit other holy sites, shop, or relax before dinner at your hotel tonight.

DAY 10: BETHANY / JORDAN RIVER / JERICHO

After breakfast, we begin in Bethany, where Lazarus lived with his sisters Martha and Maria. After visiting the Lazarus church, we’ll continue to the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows. Next, we drive down the Jordan Valley and stop at the oasis town of Jericho, the world’s oldest city. Our next stop is the Mt. of Temptation, where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Today’s Mass will be celebrated in either Bethany or Jericho. At the end of the day, we will return to the hotel in Jerusalem and have dinner.

DAY 11: MASADA / QUMRAN / DEAD SEA

This morning, we will visit Masada and take a cable car to view the ancient ruins of Herod’s fortress. We’ll also stop in Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. After that, there will be time for a swim or float in the healing waters of the Dead Sea. We’ll end the day by returning to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner.

DAY 12: EIN KAREM / JERUSALEM

Today, we will travel to Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Our tour takes us to the “Church of the Visitation,” where the Virgin Mary first proclaimed the “Magnificat.” Afterward, we will return to Jerusalem and visit the Israel Museum to view the scale model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple Era and the Shrine of the Book. Tonight, we will have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

DAY 13: JERUSALEM / CITY OF DAVID / POOL OF SILOAM / EMMAUS

We start the day at the City of David, exploring the Southern Excavations, the Davidson Center, and the original steps to the Temple. Next, we visit the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the man born blind, and then travel to Emmaus, where the Risen Lord walked with His disciples. We’ll pray at Emmaus Church and reflect on this significant event before returning to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner.

DAY 14: RETURN HOME

This morning, we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.