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TENTATIVE PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY Monday, Nov. 10: Depart USA via overnight flight on scheduled airline to Tel Aviv, Israel. Tuesday, Nov. 11: Arrive Tel Aviv Airport where you will be greeted by Steve and Janet Ray and your local Catholic guides. Our motor coach will transport us to our hotel in Jerusalem. Check in for five nights. Optional visit to the roof of the hotel where Steve gives an introduction to Jerusalem and biblical history. Optional Mass in Notre Dame Center. Overnight in Jerusalem. Wednesday, Nov. 12: Drive to St. Anne’s (Mary’s birthplace) for Mass. Then drive to Ein Kerem to visit the Church of the Visitation. We will eat lunch and visit Bethlehem to see the Church of Nativity and the birthplace of Jesus, along with Shepherd’s Field where the angels appeared to the shepherds. We will then give everyone a chance to shop in Bethlehem for olive wood objects and a lot of other items to support the local Christians. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Thursday, Nov. 13: Early morning drive to Herod’s Gate to carry our crosses along the Via Dolorosa praying the Stations of the Cross on the way to Golgotha and the Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After breakfast we will go to the top of the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of the Paternoster where Jesus taught the disciples to pray the Our Father and from where he ascended into heaven. Then we walk down the Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flavit (“Our Lord wept”) to view Jerusalem. Then we’ll visit the Garden of Gethsemane and have Mass in the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) at the place where Jesus sweat drops of blood. After lunch we will visit the Promenade for a spectacular view of Jerusalem where Steve will explain the geography and biblical history. Then to the Israel Museum to see the Temple Model and the Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Friday, Nov. 14: Early morning Mass at Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Breakfast, then drive to Mount Zion to visit the Upper Room (3 sacraments were instituted here plus Pentecost), then to the Church of Dormition where Mary fell asleep. We will then walk to the Church of Peter in Gallicantu (“cock crow”) where Peter denied Jesus and where Jesus was imprisoned over Holy Thursday night. We will walk on the Holy Steps where Jesus walked. Lunch and then a visit to the Western Wall. The rest of the afternoon is free with an optional visit to the Shroud of Turin display. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Saturday, Nov. 15: Free day in Jerusalem. Optional day trip offered to Masada, Qumran, Jericho and the Dead Sea. In Jericho we see the Sycamore tree, the Mountain of Temptation, eat lunch and ride camels. Then we swim in the Dead Sea. Mass site to be determined. Fun and delicious authentic Palestinian dinner in Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem. Sunday, Nov. 16: Departure for Galilee. Drive through the Jordan Valley to Yardenit Baptismal site to renew our Baptismal Vows in the Jordan River. Lunch then drive to Nazareth for Mass in the Grotto in the Church of the Annunciation. Tour the Church of Annunciation and Church of St. Joseph where the Holy Family lived. Visit the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter (Jn 21) on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight on the shore of Galilee. Monday, Nov. 17: Mass at the top of the Mountain of the Transfiguration in the beautiful Franciscan church. Drive to Cana of Galilee for renewal of Wedding Vows. Lunch then a visit to the Church of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and then to Tabgha where Our Lord multiplied the loaves and fishes. Dinner and overnight on the shore of Galilee. Tuesday, Nov. 18: Drive to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus said, “You are Peter and on this Rock I will build my church.” View the borders of Lebanon and Syria. Drive through the Golan Heights to Capernaum for Mass in Peter’s House and Steve’s talk defending the Eucharist in the Synagogue of Capernaum where Jesus said, “Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood.” Lunch along the Sea eating St. Peter’s fish. View ancient “Jesus Boat” and take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight on the shore of Galilee. Transfer to the airport through the night for return flight. Wednesday, Nov. 19: Return home from Tel Aviv after a memorable spiritual journey to the Holy Land. Itinerary is tentative and subject to final confirmations. |
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