*This itinerary is tentative and is subject to change.
DAY 1: DEPART NORTH AMERICA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023
Depart on flights to Israel. Meals on flight
DAY 2: TEL AVIV, TIBERIAS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2023
Arrival at Tel Aviv Airport. Exit terminal and meet our guide. Bus transfer to Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee, our home for the next four nights. Welcome dinner at hotel, Mass and overnight in Tiberius. Meals on flight.
DAY 3: NAZARETH, CANA, MT. TABOR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023
This morning we visit Nazareth, the hometown of the Holy Family. Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation, built atop the home of the Blessed Mother. Special visit to the church of St. Joseph, built over where the Holy Family lived. Drive to Cana of Galilee to pray where Christ performed his first public miracle. Renewal of wedding vows for married couples. After lunch, drive to Mt. Tabor to visit the mighty church of the Transfiguration. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. B, L, D
DAY 4: MT. OF BEATITUDES, CAPERNAUM, TABGHA, SEA OF GALILEE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023
Visit the site majestic site of the Sermon on the Mount, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum where Christ and the apostles lived, including the house of St. Peter’s mother-in-law and the synagogue. Enjoy St. Peter’s fish for lunch. Visit the church of the Multiplication at Tabgha, where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 men. Conclude the day with a boat ride on the sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. B,L,D
DAY 5: CAESAREA PHILIPPI, GOLAN HEIGHTS, DRUZE VILLAGE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2023
Mass at the Primacy of St. Peter site where after his Resurrection Christ appeared to His Apostles and said to Peter: “Feed my sheep.” Drive to the Golan Heights and visit Caesarea Philippi where Christ declared the primacy of St. Peter. See where Jesus asked the Apostles: “Who do you say that I am?” Visit a fascinating Druze village for lunch. See Lebanon and Syria across the border. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. B,L,D
DAY 6: MT. CARMEL, HAIFA, CAESAREA MARITIMA, JERUSALEM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023
Scenic drive to the ancient place of pilgrimage; Mt. Carmel where Christians, Jews, and Moslems visit. See Stella Maris Carmelite Convent and the cave where the Prophet Elisha lived. See Haifa and enjoy an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea. Visit Caesarea Maritima on the sea (if there is time). Next, we make our way to the holy city of Jerusalem. Hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. B,L,D
DAY 7: BETHLEHEM, EIN KARIM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023
Drive to Bethlehem to visit the ancient church of the Nativity, built atop the grotto where Christ was born. Enter the cave and pray. See where Mary laid Christ in a manger. Visit St. Catherine’s church, the cave where St. Jerome lived, and the Milk Grotto Shrine (if there is time). Sing Silent Night in the chapel at Shepherd’s Fields, where our group will celebrate the Mass of Christmas in a cave where the shepherds found shelter. Time for shopping at Christian shop. After we make our way to Ein Karem to visit the church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. B,L,D
DAY 8: JERUSALEM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023
Follow the footsteps of Christ to Mt. Scopus and the Mt. of Olives. Visit the church of the Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, the Garden of Gethsemane and the church of All Nations. After lunch visit Mt. Zion to see Dormition Abbey, the ruins of the house of Caiphas, St. Peter in Gallicantu where St. Peter denied Our Lord three times. Next we visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. B,L,D
DAY 9: JERUSALEM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023
Today we spend the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, walking in the footsteps of the Passion of Christ. Before dawn we trace the final footsteps of Christ on the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross), beginning at the location of the former Antonia Fortress, leading finally to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Mass on Mt. Calvary. There we visit the empty tomb of Our Lord, the highlight of our pilgrimage. After lunch, visit St. Anne’s church built by the crusaders at the pools of Bethesda and the Wailing Wall (a retaining wall of the original temple). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. B,L,D
DAY 10: JORDAN RIVER, JERICO, QUMRAN, DEAD SEA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023
After Mass, we will continue to the Jordan River to renew our baptismal vows where Jesus was baptized. Then we visit Jericho, the world’s oldest city. From a distance we will see the Mt. of Temptation and hear the story of the famed sycamore tree of Zachaeus. After lunch in Jericho, visit to Qumran to see the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Optional float in the Dead Sea, the lowest part of the earth. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. B,L,D
DAY 11: FREE DAY IN JERUSALEM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023
The added bonus day at the end will include a series of interesting talks with a Q & A session hosted by our distinguished guest lecturer, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski. B,D
DAY 12: DEPART ISRAEL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023
Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for return flights home. Meals on flight.
**BLD means breakfast, lunch and dinner
Traditional Latin Mass Pilgrimage to the Holy Land