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A Catholic pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Spiritual Director Fr Jeremy Trood
Introduction
Throughout the centuries one of the goals of the Christian has been to visit the Holy Land. It is an intense and powerful experience to be in the Holy City of Jerusalem and in the Galilee and richly brings the Old Testament, New Testament and the waves of post-biblical history alive. It helps us understand not only our own faith but also that of Judaism and Islam and the emotions that have dominated and still dominate the Land. These days of pilgrimage can leave a lasting impression that enriches our life at all levels.
Basic Itinerary
DAY ONE - TUESDAY 12TH MAY
Heathrow - Tel Aviv
Check in at Heathrow Airport for a noon BMI departure. Lunch will be served during the flight. We arrive at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport early evening. After collecting our luggage we drive up to the Galilee to check into our hotel beside the Sea of Galilee for dinner and a three night stay.
DAY TWO - WEDNESDAY 13TH MAY
Sea of Galilee - Mount of Beatitudes - Ceasarea Philippi
Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to see the places where Jesus lived and worked. Start with the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Continue to Tabgha and the Church of the Loaves and Fishes. Visit the synagogue and celebrate Mass at Peter’s house at Capernaum. Head north towards the Golan Heights, through the ancient biblical capital of Dan, stopping to view Mount Hermon. Visit Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession that Jesus is the Christ of God. See Banias, one of the sources of the River Jordan.
DAY THREE - THURSDAY 14TH MAY
Nazareth - Cana - Tabor
Drive inland to Nazareth and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation. Visit the house of St Joseph and Mary’s Well. Continue to Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of changing water into wine. Drive to Mount Tabor, taking a taxi ride up the zigzag road to visit the church of the Transfiguration. Finally drive to the southern shores of Lake Galilee, stopping at the River Jordan to visit the new Jordan Baptismal site.
DAY FOUR - FRIDAY 15TH MAY
Jordan Valley - Qumran - Dead Sea - Bethany - Jerusalem
Depart Tiberias and drive southwards to the Roman theatre at Beth-Shean: proceed through the Jordan Valley past Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in existence, where Jesus tarried on his way to Jerusalem (Matt. 20: 29). Continue to Qumran where, in nearby caves, the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Proceed to the shores of the Dead Sea, lowest spot on Earth (for a swim, if time permits). Drive towards Jerusalem up the winding road that was the setting for the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30-37) and arrive at Bethany, home of Mary and Martha and also of Lazarus, whom Jesus called to life from the tomb (John 11: 1-44). Continue to Jerusalem hotel for dinner and a four night stay.
DAY FIVE - SATURDAY 16TH MAY
Jerusalem - Holy Sepulchre - Ecce Homo - Bethesda
This morning we visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem for an early Mass followed by a walk to the Ecce Homo Arch, where Jesus was presented to the crowd. Visit the Lithostrotos, the pavement where Jesus was tried and scourged within the convent of the Sisters of Zion. There will be a visit to the Ecce Homo terrace for a panoramic view. Afterwards continue our walk to the pool of Bethesda and the Crusader church of St Anne. Follow the Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa through the narrow streets to Calvary, enshrined within the church of the Holy Sepulchre.
DAY SIX - SUNDAY 17TH MAY
Jerusalem - Mount of Olives - Mount Zion
Proceed to the Mount of Olives. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of the Pater Noster, and stop for a panoramic view across the Kidron Valley to Temple Mount and the Old City of Jerusalem. Walk down from the Mount of Olives to the Church of Dominus Flevit where we celebrate Mass, and the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane. Afterwards we drive to the Old Walled City of Jerusalem. Visit the Western (Wailing) Wall and Mount Moriah, then the site of the original Temple on the Temple area, Dome of the Rock and the El Aksa Mosque (Entry to the mosque is subject to local security conditions at the time). Stroll through the Christian Quarter and the rediscovered ancient Cardo.
DAY SEVEN - MONDAY 18TH MAY
Ein Karem - Bethlehem - Mount Zion
Drive to Ein Karem, the village where John the Baptist was born, and where Mary visited Elizabeth. Continue on to Bethlehem via the Shepherds’ Fields, then visit Manger Square, the Basilica and the Cave of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Mass will be at either the Cave or the Chapel of St Jerome. Afterwards drive to Mount Zion to visit the Abbey of the Dormition, Room of the Last Supper (Cenaculum), and continue to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Christ three times.
DAY EIGHT - TUESDAY 19TH MAY
Jerusalem - Tel Aviv - London
Early transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight to London, departing at 7:15am.
Travel Dates and Cost: | ||
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12th May 2009 - 19th May 2009
Eight days
£949
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Terms of Payment:£120 deposit (plus the insurance premium, if the cover we offer is required) per person on booking. Balance payable 2 months before the departure date. | ||
THIS TRIP INCLUDES:Return scheduled flights by BMI: Heathrow – Tel Aviv. U.K. and Israel departure taxes and security charges. Seven-nights accommodation in shared twin bedded rooms with private facilities as follows: 12 - 15 May Kibutz Ein Gev, Sea of Galilee, 15 - 19 May Kings Hotel, Jerusalem both 4-star. Buffet breakfast and dinner each day, starting with an evening meal. Local English-speaking guide to accompany you throughout the pilgrimage. Local travel by air-conditioned coach. Entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Porterage at the hotels.
This will be led by a Roman Catholic priest and Daily Catholic Mass will be celebrated.
EXTRAS:Single room supplement at £196 per person for the seven nights.(Limited number of single rooms available). Travel insurance at £27 per person (Must be paid for at the time of booking) for those not insured elsewhere. Lunches, drinks and souvenirs. Gratuities to guides, drivers and hotel staff. We recommend £15 per pilgrim to cover all of them.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:Catholic |
