A pilgrimage for your church

Arrive at Tel Aviv Airport; Overnight in Bethlehem.

Visit the Grotto of the Nativity, the birthplace of Christ. Visit the Milk Grotto where tradition has it that Mary fed the child Jesus breast milk. Bethlehem’s Manger Square. The Shepherds’ Field. Orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.

Meet with local Christian missions in Bethlehem such as Carmelite Monastery where Blessed Mariam of the Crucified Jesus is buried. Cremisan Monastery and winery. Lunch with local Christian families in Bethlehem. Visit local olive wood factory, the traditional handicrafts for most Christian families; chance to buy unique gifts and religious souvenirs.

Visit to Mt. Zion, stop to see the Upper Room. Tomb of King David and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu which is built over the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest, who imprisoned Jesus and interrogated him before his trial before Pontius Pilate (Lk. 22:54). Visit the excavations of the City of David, revealing some of the most exciting archaeological finds of the ancient world. Drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives, from which Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection. Visit the holy shrines, walk down the “Palm Sunday Road” visiting the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus wept) en-route to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations where Christ prayed on the night of his betrayal (Lk. 22:40-46).

Visit the Temple Mount and reach the Western Wall, this 2,000-year-old wall was part of the outer supporting walls of the Temple Mount on which the Second Temple stood and was destroyed in 70 AD. Visit Al Aqsa Mosque. Walk Via Dolorosa or the Way of Sorrows where Jesus walked towards his crucifixion. Visit St. Anne’s Church (birthplace of the Blessed Mother). Visit Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man on the Sabbath. Visit Ecce Homo Arch and visit the convent of the Sisters of Zion where Jesus was mocked and scourged. Visit Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visit Calvary and the Holy Tomb. Visit detailed model of First Century Jerusalem at the Israel Museum, which displays a wide selection of impressive modern and ancient exhibits. Visit Ein Karem, home to the Church of John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation.

Visit World’s Oldest City, Jericho. Mysterious Judean Desert. Bethany, home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 11), where Jesus stayed at the home of Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6). Visit the Inn of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:34). Cable car ride to Quarantal, the Mount of Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), see an active monastery carved into the cliffs. Dead Sea, an opportunity for a bath in mineral-rich waters before visiting the archaeological remains of the Qumran settlement, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written over 2000 years ago. Sea of Galilee, stay in Tiberias overnight.

Visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes where Jesus fed 5,000 men. Visit Peter’s House and see where Jesus stayed while he was preaching in the local synagogue. Celebrate Mass outside on top of the Mt. of the Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Lunch near the Sea of Galilee, chance to try St. Peters fish. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit Kursi, the area where the swine ran into the sea. Visit Jordan River to renew our Baptismal promise, chance to get some water from the Jordan River.

Visit Banias, the site of Caesarea Philippi where the Apostle Peter made his great confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Matt. 16:13-17). Visit Lower Galilee to Cana of Galilee, the scene of the wedding feast, where Jesus turned the water into wine (John. 2:1-11). Visit Nazareth, a town in the hill country of Galilee where Jesus grew to manhood (Matt. 2:23). Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Visit Mt. Tabor, site of the Transfiguration.

Stopping at Mt. Carmel. Visit the "Place of Sacrifice" where the Prophet Elijah had an encounter with the Priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:17-40). Visit to the ruins of Caesarea Maritima, which was the seat of government of the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. Visit ancient Jaffa (New Testament Joppa) where the Apostle Peter had a vision, whilst sitting on the rooftop of the House of Simon the Tanner, and he received God's command to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Farewell dinner at Bedouin style restaurant with traditional dance group performance.

Early morning flight from Tel Aviv airport back to the United States