Holy Land – Deacons & Deacons’ Wives, Parishoners and Friends!
March 18 – 27, 2019
This pilgrimage is SOLD OUT!
For more pilgrimages to THE HOLY LAND, visit our Open Pilgrimages page!
Join Diocese of Toledo Vicar for Clergy Msgr. Marvin Borger and Deacons, Deacons’ Wives, Deacon Candidates, family members, and fellow parishioners following in the footsteps of Jesus. Millions of Christians have shared in this pilgrimage tradition over the millennia to deepen faith and awaken the Scriptures. Our premier Catholic tour guide (and native Nazarene) has unlocked the Holy Land for countless pilgrims. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
Day 1 – March 18: DEPART USA
Depart your local Airport for Tel Aviv with Complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
Day 2 – March 19: ARRIVE TEL AVIV / TRANSFER TO TIBERIAS
On arrival we will be met by our Catholic Tour Guide and proceed to our hotel in Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. (D)
Day 3 – March 20: TIBERIAS: NAZARETH / CANA / MT. TABOR
Drive to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus played as a child, learned a trade, and grew to manhood. We will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Annunciation, and an opportunity to visit sites in the city. We continue to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of his mother. There we will visit the Franciscan chapel for a renewal of wedding vows. This afternoon we drive to Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John and they glimpse a sign of his glory before they witness His passion and death. At the end of the day, return to Tiberias for dinner and the evening.
Day 4 – March 21: TIBERIAS: SEA OF GALILEE SITES
After breakfast, we drive to the Mount of Beatitudes for visit, Mass and reflection time. We visit Capharnaum where Jesus began his Galilean ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the site of Peter’s home. After lunch we will visit Tabgha where it is believed that Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. End the day with a boat ride for a brief excursion on the Sea of Galilee. We return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and an evening of relaxation.
Day 5 – March 22: CAESAREA PHILIPPI / GOLAN HEIGHTS
This morning we drive to the church of “Peter’s Primacy”, the site where, after His resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” Here we celebrate Mass. After Mass and time for reflection we drive to the Golan Heights and stop to see the site Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do People say that I am.” Drive up higher on the Golan Heights and come to the Druze Villages where we overlook the Boarder with Syria. Drive back to the Sea of Galilee to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 – March 23: TIBERIAS / Mt. CARMEL / SAMARIA / JACOB’S WELL / JERUSALEM
This morning we check out of our hotel and we travel to the beautiful Mediterranean city of Haifa and Mt. Carmel. We will celebrate Mass at the beautiful church of Stella Maris. After Lunch we drive south via Samaria where we stop to visit Jacob’s Well, pending confirmation. Here Jesus had the encounter with the Samaritan woman. We continue our drive to Jerusalem to check into our hotel for dinner.
Day 7 – March 24: BETHLEHEM & DEAD SEA SCROLLS / JERUSALEM
Today we travel to the Shepherds’ Field for Mass in the Shepherds’ Cave. We continue to the Church of the Nativity to visit the cave where Jesus was born then proceed to St. Catherine church next door built over the grotto of St. Jerome. After lunch we return to Jerusalem for a background lesson on the history of the Holy City as we visit the Model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period. The Old Walled City today has changed since the time of Jesus. We then visit the museum where the Dead Sea Scrolls are kept and learn about their importance in understanding Jewish thinking and life at the time of Jesus. Return to hotel for dinner.
Day 8 – March 25: JERUSALEM: MT. OF OLIVES & MT. ZION
This morning the bus takes us to a hillside overlooking the city of Jerusalem where Jesus wept over the city. It is known as Dominus Flevit [Latin for “The Lord wept”]. Afterward; we will walk down the hill and at the bottom visit the Garden of Gethsemane along with the Church of All Nations, here we will celebrate Mass. We will then travel by bus across the Kidron Valley to the site of Caiaphas’ Palace where Jesus experienced the Jewish portion of His trial. The site is known today as St. Peter in Gallicantu [“crowing rooster”]. We also visit the Upper Room where Jesus had The Last Supper. We return to our hotel for rest and dinner. This evening we have a Holy Hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed the night before he was crucified. (Pending confirmation).
Day 9 – March 26: JERUSALEM: VIA DOLOROSA & HOLY SEPULCHER / QUMRAN / JORDAN RIVER / JERICHO
We begin the morning early as we gather at the Antonia Palace to walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross. Following the Via Dolorosa, we proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where Jesus was crucified and where he was buried. Here we celebrate Mass, afterward we will return to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon we have an excursion to the Dead Sea area to visit the site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. We continue on to the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, here we renew our Baptismal Promises. We then drive the short distance to Jericho for Mass at the Good Shepherd Church after which we view the Mount of Temptation and see a Sycamore Tree to remember the story of Zacchaeus. Before returning to Jerusalem you will have an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea.
Day 10 – March 27: JERUSALEM
We transfer to the Tel Aviv Airport for our early morning return flight to the USA.
NOTES: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes beyond our control. All Masses are subject to final confirmation.
[Click to download Travel Itinerary and Terms & Conditions]
Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT with additional cost of airfare, please contact Maggie if you are interested in this option. For additional information or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com
Total Cost: $ 3909.00 per person, discounted for Cash/Check payment, based on 36 – 45 participants, & double occupancy. We gladly accept credit cards for the full price of $4,065.00 per person.
(Should the group be 30-35 pilgrims at double occupancy, the price will be $ 3,999.00 per person – Cash/Check discount or Full Price with Credit Card: $ 4,158.00 per person.)
Included
Round Trip Airfare from DTW / TLV
8 Nights in 4 star hotels
7 Breakfasts and 8 Dinners
English speaking tour escort/guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Transfers from international airport
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
Private Mass arrangements
Tips of $ 150.00 for guide, driver, porters, wait staff, etc.
Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase 30 days prior to departure)
Not Included
Optional Travel insurance: (strongly recommended)
Lunches & beverages with meals
Transportation to/from Domestic Airport (to be determined)
Items of personal nature
Any items not specifically mentioned
Limited Single rooms add: Check/Cash: $ 990.00, or Credit Card: $ 1,029.00
For more pilgrimages to THE HOLY LAND, visit our Open Pilgrimages page!
