Holy Land November 2014

11 Day Summary

DAY 1 – DEPART USA
Our spiritual journey begins today as we meet departing for the Holy Land together with complimentary dinner and breakfast served enroute.

DAY 2 – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
Tel Aviv – Caesarea – Tiberias – Sea of Galilee

Accompanied by Fr. John, we leave for the Sea of Galilee stopping enroute for our Mass of thanksgiving on Mount Carmel for our safe journey. A visit stopping at the ancient city home of Simon the Tanner – on the Mediterranean Seashore continuing to Caesarea – an important site to St. Peter and St. Paul – including the Roman aqueduct and our visit to the Roman amphitheatre and Crusader fort. After our get-acquainted dinner tonight, we can walk along the seashore literally in the footsteps of Jesus. Mass at Stella Maris.

DAY 3 – HIDDEN LIFE OF CHRIST & BEGINNING OF HIS PUBLIC LIFE
Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes – Tabgha – Cana – Nazareth – Megiddo – Mount Tabor – Jezerel Valley
We see the Bible unfold before our eyes as we sail across the Sea of Galilee in the “Jesus Boat”- a replica of an ancient wooden boat to old Capernaum – to the home of Peter. Nearby atop the Mount of Beatitudes, we pause for reflection. Our short drive then takes us to the seven springs of Tabgha -the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. Then onto to the seaside Sanctuary from which the Apostles cast their nets where Christ gave Peter the keys of the kingdom. Cana is our next visit, where he changed water into wine (Married couples receive a benediction as they renew their marriage vows) and onto Nazareth with Mass at the grotto of the Annunciation. Walk to visit the workshop of St. Joseph and the well Mary drew water from each day, stopping at Megiddo before we ascend to pray on the Holy Mountain of Christ’s Transfiguration – Mount Tabor. Mass at the Grotto of the Annunciation.

DAY 4 – “GOING UP TO THE LORD”
River Jordan – Mount Carmel – Elijah’s Cave – Jerusalem – Samaria
An unbelievable sight to behold driving along the shore of the Sea of Galilee to the Baptismal Site of the River Jordan renewing our Baptismal promises, we then pass through the Jordan Valley and begin our ascent to Mount Carmel where we are found listening quietly for God’s whisper in the cave of Elijah. Beginning our stay in Jerusalem and our home at Notre Dame, Mass at Stella Maris.

DAY 5 – LAST DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH
Mount Scopus – Ain Karem – Bethlehem – Shepherd’s Fields
Our visit to the miniature model of the Old City as it appeared at the time of Jesus. Then passing through the Kidron Valley just as Mary did to the Birthplace of St. John the Baptist – we pray the Magnificat, to the place of the Visitation. In Bethlehem at the Grotto of the Nativity, and the cave of St. Jerome where he translated the Bible, we complete our day offering Mass in Shepherds Field.

DAY 6 – THE ROYAL ROAD OF THE CROSS – WATCH & PRAY
Cenacle – St. Peter in Gallicantu – Dome of the Rock – Mt. Scopus – Mount Zion – Cardo
We gather in the Upper Room, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and Pentecost occurred. After Mass at the Cenacle, stopping at Mount Scopus, we return to the Old City and enter via the Dung Gate to the Crusader Church of St. Anne, to the sheep pools where Jesus cured the paralytic, and the Temple Mount Jesus visited regularly. Walking via the Roman Cardo still visible these 2000 years later, we enter the Dome of the Rock where Abraham was to sacrifice his son. At St. Peter in Gallicantu we descend into the subterranean chamber which Christ was lowered into for the night and enter the prison of the high priest where he was held. We remember Peter’s denial as we ascend the Holy Steps in quiet reflection which lead up to the High Priest’s house. Mass on Mount Zion.

DAY 7 – THE CROSS AND THE CROWN
Old City – Via Dolorosa – Ecce Homo – Fortress of Antonio – Lithostrotos
Entering the Old City at Lions Gate, walking through the Christian Quarter we follow the Way of the Man of Sorrows carrying our wooden cross on the Via Dolorosa to the site of His scourging where He was then crowned with Thorns. From Lithostrotos, to the Ecce Homo (“Behold the man”) Arch, the Fortress of Antonia – where Pontius Pilate held trial, up the hill of Golgotha (a place where dead bones were thrown after execution) where He was crucified for our sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Mass in the Holy Sepulchre.

DAY 8 – WATCH AND PRAY
Old City – Mount of Olives – Gethsemane – Bethany
To the Mount of Olives today to the spot Jesus rose into heaven, our prayer continues in the cave where he taught the disciples how to pray. Entering the Garden of Gethsemane, we kneel at the rock where he wept, in the Garden of His arrest. We visit the town of Bethany – home of Martha and Mary and the tomb of Lazarus. Mass on the Mount of Olives.

DAY 9 – GLORIOUS RESURRECTION
Judean Desert – Mount of Temptation – Masada – Dead Sea
Qumran – Jericho
Walk along the ancient Roman road of Emmaus before continuing through the desert of Judea, the Good Samaritan Inn, past grazing camels and Bedouin encampments, we recall Christ’s time in the desert . Stopping at Jericho – the oldest known city in the Western World overlooking the Mount of Temptation and Mount Nebo. Via cable car we ascend to Herod’s palace atop the mountain of Masada. Our visit to the Dead Sea allows time for a swim before stopping at the caves of the Qumran community of Essenes where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

DAY 10 SACRED SPACE
The Empty Tomb
We celebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre as our search in this land comes to an end. Morning visit to the Shrine of the Book and Museum of Sacred Art with the afternoon free for final devotions.

Day 11 – U.S.A.
Depart after breakfast for home or continue on to Rome or Petra.