September 18 – 26, 2024

The founder of Catholic Faith Journeys, Maggie McDaniel, is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, whose life’s mission is to care for the Holy sites and Christians in the Holy Land. Right now, our Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land have lost the ability to work, due to the lack of tourism.  Together let us help the Christians return to work by visiting the Holy Land. While they rely on our continued prayers, and gratefully except any donations, all they really want to do is work. Please join us in this “mission” and experience the Holy Land with very little crowds. This pilgrimage will be done at-cost, so we can get people to the Holy Land to support those who make a living off of tourism. 

Travel Itinerary
(*subject to change)

Day 1: (Wednesday) Sept 18:  Depart USA for Tel Aviv.

Day 2: (Thursday) Sept 19: ARRIVE TEL AVIV / TRANSFER TO TIBERIAS:  On arrival, by 11:00 a.m., in Tel Aviv we meet our Catholic Tour Guide and proceed to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight. (For flights arriving after 11:00 a.m., we can help arrange transportation to the hotel on the Sea of Galilee or you may take care of this on your own). (D)

Day 3: (Friday) Sept 20: TIBERIAS: NAZARETH / CANA:  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 visit the Church of the Annunciation as well as other sites in the city. We will then travel to Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of his mother. Return to Tiberias . (B, D)

Day 4: (Saturday) Sept 21: TIBERIAS: SEA OF GALILEE SITES:  After breakfast, we will board a boat for a brief excursion on the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Mount of Beatitudes for visit and time for prayer. We will visit Tabgha where it is believed that Jesus fed the crowd of 5000. A short distance away is what is known as “Peter’s Primacy”, the site where, after His Resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” Taste “St. Peter’s Fish” for lunch. From that place we will visit it Capernaum where Jesus began his Galilean ministry, see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the site of Peter’s home. We return to our hotel for dinner and an evening of relaxation. (B, L, D)

Day 5: (Sunday) Sept 22: MT. TABOR / JORDAN RIVER / DEAD SEA / JERUSALEM:  Today we begin our journey with Jesus to Jerusalem where He is condemned crucified and is raised from the dead, beginning with a trip to Mount Tabor where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James and John and they glimpse a sign of His glory before they witness His passion and death. Following our visit on Mount Tabor, we travel by bus to the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, here we renew our Baptismal Promises. We continue to Jericho where we view the Mount of Temptation and see the Sycamore Tree to remember the story of Zacchaeus. We will give the opportunity for people to go in the Dead Sea for a float before we continue to Jerusalem for check-in. (B, D)

Day 6: (Monday) Sept 23: 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, known as Dominus Flevit. Afterward, we will walk down the hill and at the bottom visit the Garden of Gethsemane along with the Church of All Nations. We will then travel by bus across the Kidron Valley to the Upper Room where Jesus had His Last Supper. We continue on to the site of Caiaphas’ Palace where Jesus experienced the Jewish portion of His trial. (B, D)

Day 7: (Tuesday) Sept 24: JERUSALEM: ISRAEL MUSEUM / SHEPHERD’S FIELD / BETHLEHEM:  The Old walled City of Jerusalem has changed since the time of Jesus. Visiting the Israel Museum, we get a background lesson on the history of the Holy City as we visit the Model of Jerusalem in the 2nd Temple Period. 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. This afternoon we travel to the Shepherd’s Field where the angels appeared to the shepherds and announced the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. Continue to Bethlehem and visit the Church of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 8: (Wednesday) Sept 25: JERUSALEM: VIA DOLOROSA / HOLY SEPULCHRE / ST. ANNE CHURCH / ECCE HOMO / WESTERN WALL:  We begin the morning early as we gather at the Antonia Palace to walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross. Following, we proceed to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later that morning we return to the old City to visit the St. Stephen’s Gate and the Church of St. Anne. We will visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralytic. We will visit the Western or “Wailing Wall” of the Temple. Time permitting any remaining portion of the day will be free to walk in the Old City or to return to the hotel for rest until dinner. (B, D)

Day 9: (Thursday) Sept 26: JERUSALEM: TEL AVIV / USA:  A complimentary transfer to the airport is arrange for flights departing at, or near, 11:00 a.m. this morning. (B) (Independent transfers can be arranged for flights to the airport either through our local guide or the hotel for earlier or later flights. Let us know if we may assist you.) As this mission pilgrimage is put together on short notice we will rely on the local priests for our Masses. Thank you for your understanding and thank you for your support of the local Christians and Clergy in the Holy Land.

NOTES:  While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when sequence and days of visits may change and certain alterations become necessary due to changes beyond our control. I understand that Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC is not responsible for any changes/ cancellation / interruptions cause by force majeure. Arriving and departing flights may affect the first and last day itinerary. As this mission pilgrimage is put together on short notice we will rely on the local priests for our Masses. Thank you for your understanding and thank you for your support of the local Christians and Clergy in the Holy Land.

[Click to download Travel Itinerary & Terms and Conditions or Registration Form]

For additional information, questions, or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com

To register for this pilgrimage please read, complete and sign the registration form and return with your deposit. You MUST complete the Electronic Travel Authorization form to enter Israel. https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il
(It is easy and it only takes a couple of minutes.)

LAND-ONLY COST

The LAND-ONLY price of $2879.00 per person paid with Cash or Check (based on a minimum of 15 participants with double occupancy; if less than 15 the price per person may be adjusted to reflect the actual number of pilgrims. We need 10 persons to travel.).

BOOKING YOUR OWN AIRFARE 

Please book your flight to arrive at (Tel Aviv) TLV by 11:00 am on August 6, 2024. (If you need a private transfer to the Sea of Galilee we can help you with the arrangements). Contact Maggie at 419-290-8782 or email maggie@catholicfaithjourneys.com if you need help or have any questions about booking your flights.

Included

All nights in 4 star hotels
Breakfast and Dinner daily + 1 Lunch
English speaking tour escort / guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
All Mass arrangements, based on availability of local priests.
Tips for guide, driver, porters, wait staff, etc.
Water on the bus

Not Included

International roundtrip airfare from Detroit Metro (DTW to TLV)
Optional Travel Insurance – (strongly recommended. NOTE: Some countries may require travel insurance.)
Round Trip Airfare from USA / TLV Please book your flight to arrive by 11:00 am on 6 August, 2024.(If you need a private transfer to the Sea of Galilee we can help you with the arrangements).
Lunches & beverages with meals (except where noted in the itinerary)
Newly required ETA Application to enter Israel. Please visit https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il to complete the newly required Electronic Travel Authorization to visit Israel. At least 48 hours before departure but we recommend 1 month. Also, if completed in the pilot phase the 25 NIS fee is waived.
Items of personal nature
Any item(s) not specifically mentioned
Airline-imposed baggage fees
Limited Single rooms: Call Maggie (419-290-8782) for availability and cost.

**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.

We are not responsible for any changes to entry/travel requirements put into effect by Governments, Health Organizations, Airlines, transfer countries, arriving countries, return country, museums, Churches, restaurants etc. We are not responsible for any or all changes / cancellations / interruptions caused by Force majeure. * Arriving and departing flights may affect the first and last day itinerary.

With very little crowds we can take our time at the sites. You must be physically fit and capable of walking on uneven terrain and being on your feet all day. Just a FYI – Foreign entities do not have the “American Disabilities Act”. Everyone is responsible for handling their own luggage.

To register for this pilgrimage please read, complete and sign the registration form and return with your deposit. You MUST complete the Electronic Travel Authorization form to enter Israel. https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il (It is easy and it only takes a couple of minutes.)

Click Here to Download the Registration Form!