A Pilgrimage Through the Holy Land
(9 days / 7 nights)
Daily Mass will be offered based on priest availability and location preference.
Day 1 Departure from the USA
We start our journey in the footsteps of Jesus as we board our plane to Tel Aviv, Israel. Meals and beverages are served in flight.
Day 2 Tel Aviv / Sea of Galilee
We arrive in Tel Aviv and are met by our friendly Pathfinders representative who take us to our motor coach. We make our way to the Sea of Galilee for our first night in the Holy Land. Dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 3 Caesarea / Mount Carmel / Narzareth / Cana / Sea of Galilee
Our Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ today begins as we travel to Caesarea where it was revealed to St. Peter that the Good News was intended not just for the Jewish people but the entire world! We visit the aqueduct, ancient Herodian Harbor, and the remains of the seaside palace of Pontius Pilate. We continue on to Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery located above the cave where the prophet Elijah once lived. We then journey into Nazareth where we visit the Church of the Annunciation and view the remains of the town of Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home. We continue on to Cana where we visit the Church of the Wedding at Cana, and couples have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows. Dinner and overnight at hotel near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 4 Sea of Galilee / Mt. of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Caesarea Philipppi
We begin today at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave us the new commandments. We then journey to Tabgha to visit the Church of Loaves and Fishes and the Church of the Primacy of Peter. Upon arrival in Capernaum we visit the house of Peter and the synagogue where Jesus preached. We continue to the foothills of Mt. Hermon, the headwaters of the Jordan at Banias- Caesarea Philippi, where Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. Our day ends as we board a wooden boat for a sunset sail on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 5 Jordan River / Jericho / Judean Desert / Mount of Olives / Gethsemane
Our pilgrimage today starts by traveling to the baptismal site on the Jordan River. We then travel to the world’s oldest city, Jericho, where we view the Mount of Temptation. We continue on to the Mount of Olives where we get our first look at the Holy City as we walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Church of Dominus Flevit. We conclude our day at the Garden of Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6 Wailing Wall / Temple Mount / St. Peter in Gallicantu / Shepherds’ Field / Bethlehem
We journey this morning to the Old City and visit the Western (Wailing) Wall, the remains of the temple where Jesus preached. We continue to Temple Mount to view the Dome of the Rock, site of the Holy of Holies of the Temple. We then walk to Mount Zion to visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, and the Upper Room, site of the Last Supper. This afternoon we have a special visit to Bethlehem University where we will be served by and share with students of the Culinary Arts Program. We then visit the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7 Jerusalem / Dead Sea / Qumran / Masada
Our journey continues today as we drive to the Dead Sea for an amazing float! We visit Masada, Qumran, the Tomb of Lazarus and the House of Mary and Martha. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 Bethesda Pools / Via Dolorosa / Holy Sepulcher
We begin early today as we visit the Crusader Church of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. Then we experience the most significant journey of our faith, the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross). We make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where we celebrate Mass. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we attend the Tower of David Night Spectacular to celebrate the conclusion of our pilgrimage. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9 Jerusalem / USA
Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home, taking with us wonderful and inspiring memories of our pilgrimage, which will be treasured and relived for the rest of our lives.