Soul Sisters; A Pilgrimage of Remarkable Women of Faith
(11 days / 9 nights)
At various time throughout our pilgrimage, we are blessed with the incredible opportunity to spend time with local women who will share their stories with us. Days and locations are based on their availability.
Day 1 Depart USA
We start our journey in the footsteps of these remarkable women as we board our plane to Tel Aviv, Israel.
Day 2 Jaffa / Tel Aviv
We arrive at the Ben Gurion Airport and are met by representatives of Pathfinders who take us to our motor coaches who will takes us for a stroll through Jaffa’s artists quarter. Jaffa is where St. Peter revived the righteous woman Tabitha. We continue through Tel Aviv making our way to the beautiful Mediterranean Sea for the evening. Dinner and overnight in Netanya.
Day 3 Caesarea / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee
Our Pilgrimage begins today 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 will see the site where Deborah led the battle of the Waters of Megiddo. We then journey into Nazareth where we visit the Church of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and view the remains of the town of Nazareth, the home of the Holy Family. We continue on to Cana where we visit the Church of the Wedding at Cana and then head to the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 4 Sea of Galilee / Mt. of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Caesarea Philippi
We begin today at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave us the new commandments. We then journey by foot 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, where Jesus healed his mother in law and the synagogue where Jesus preached and cast out demons. We then sail in the footsteps of Jesus as we board our wooden boat for a sunset sail on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 5 Tel Dan / Caesarea Philippi / Golan Heights / Gergesa
Today we begin with a hike in the Upper Jordan Valley where we view the ancient ruins where King Jeroboam erected a golden calf. We continue on to the foothills of Mt. Hermon, the headwaters of the Jordan at Banias- Caesarea Philippi, where Peter acknowledged Jesus as Christ. Continuing on to the top of Golan Heights we look out on the road to Damascus before visiting the remains of the temple where Jesus drove the evil spirits out of the possessed man. We return to our lodging for a afternoon at leisure. After dinner there is an opportunity to tour the diamond and jewelry factory in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 6 Tomb of Rachel / Jordan River / Jericho / Dead Sea
Our pilgrimage today begins at the Tomb of Rachel the Poetess before heading to the world’s oldest city, Jericho, where we climb the Tel to view the ancient towers of the Mount of Temptation. Continuing on through Qumran, we take the opportunity to tour the Ahava cosmetic factory. We then journey to the Dead Sea where we check into our hotel. Upon arrival enjoy a float in the Dead Sea or a mud bath, or even a soak in the hot mineral water at the spa. Dinner and overnight near the Dead Sea.
Day 7 Masada / Ein Gedi / Pillar of Lot’s Wife
Today we take a cable car to the top of the fortress of Masada followed by a stroll through Ein Gedi Nature Preserve. We will visit the Pillar of Lot’s Wife before making our way back to our lodging for a afternoon of reflection and relaxation. Overnight near Dead Sea.
Day 8 Jerusalem / Mount of Olives / St. Peter in Gallicantu / Church of Dormition / Upper Room
We journey today to Jerusalem where we make our way to the Mount of Olives and get our first look at the Holy City as we walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Church of Dominus Flevit. We then travel to Mount Zion and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, continuing on to the Upper Room. Our last stop today is at the Church of Dormition, which commemorates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and view the mosaics depicting the Women of Faith in the Old and New Testaments. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9 Bethlehem / Shepherds’ Field / Western (Wailing) Wall
We journey this morning to Bethlehem, “the city of bread,” and visit the Holy Child Program (www.holychildbethlehem.org), which serves Christian and Muslim children with special needs. We continue to meet local Palestinian Christians and Muslims at Bethlehem University and enjoy lunch served by students of the Culinary Arts Programs. We then visit the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields. We return to Jerusalem where we visit the Old City and the Western (Wailing) Wall, the remains of the temple where Jesus preached. Dinner is on your own tonight with the option of attending the Tower of David Night Spectacular Show. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10 Polls of Bethesda / Via Dolorosa / Garden Tomb
We begin early today as we visit the Crusader Church of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda. Then our journey takes us on the most significant journey of our faith, the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross). We pray our way along the path as we make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We end our journey with a communion service at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Has risen indeed! The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening we have a special farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of our pilgrimage. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11 Ein Karem / Wine Tasting / USA
We begin our journey home today as we depart Jerusalem. On our way to the airport we stop at the Church of the Visitation and visit the Benedictine Monastery of Latrun where we can sample their wine and reflect on our time together. We toast to the end of our pilgrimage and the wonderful and inspiring memories, which will be treasured and relived for the rest of our lives.