This morning, we visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, one of the most recent archaeological and religious discoveries. The five springs here form a tributary of the Jordan River, believed to be the Baptismal site of Jesus by John the Baptist. So authentic is this site that His Holiness Benedict XVI chose this as an essential place to visit on his last pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  We will celebrate Mass, renew our Baptismal promises and see the beautiful Catholic Church which has just been completed.

Continuing our journey, we will briefly stop at what is appropriately named the Grand Canyon of Jordan – Wadi Al Mujib, and admire the spectacular scenery. Subject to timing, we may also enjoy a short stop on our journey at Shobak Castle, an early 12^th Century Crusader Castle.

Petra overnight (BD)

Enjoy an unforgettable guided walking tour this morning of the ruins from ancient Petra – the city that the Nabateans carved out of solid rock dating back to 300 BC!  Our visit will follow a passage through the Siq, a chasm created in a prehistoric earthquake. It is one of the special moments to walk through this canyon which dramatically opens up to reveal the Treasury Building (Al Khasne) – a never to be forgotten experience. We will see also the Roman Theatre, Corinthian tomb along with churches, homes and many other buildings from this fascinating period. 

The remainder of the afternoon you can explore or return to your hotel for some rest.

Petra overnight (BD)

Following breakfast, we continue west across the Jordan River border into the Holy Land of Israel known as the land of the “fifth Gospel”.

We then proceed on to Tiberias on the shores of Lake Galilee… “Go to Galilee and you will find him there” (Mt 28:7). 

On arrival into Galilee, we will celebrate Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes as we take time in this special place to ponder Jesus’ message of happiness – the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-12) and admire the beautiful garden settings of the mountain.

Sea of Galilee overnight (BD)

This morning, we travel to Capernaum, the centre of Jesus’ teaching and healing and home to Peter the Apostle (Mt 4:12–20). After exploring this site, we travel through Sowers Bay and reflect on the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1–9) before continuing through Magdala, the town of Mary Magdalene.

Visit the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz, within which is preserved the remains of a 1st century fishing boat as in the days of Christ. We then set off from the shore in a traditional sailing vessel to encounter one of our most memorable pilgrimage highlights – a Private Mass floating in the centre of Lake Galilee with engines switched off. Here we will recall the miracles of Jesus calming the storm and appearing to the apostles walking on this very water. After Mass, we will continue back to the shore for our special ‘St Peter’s fish’ lunch.

Journey on to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mt 14:20), before an important stop at the Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus challenged Peter and each one of us ‘Do you really love me, feed my sheep’. Here we will spend some quiet time to reflect and pray by the shore of the lake. 

Sea of Galilee overnight (BLD)

Before breakfast we Journey on to the panoramic Mt Arbel lookout to view Lake Galilee and the entire Golan Heights. From here, a spectacular highlight awaits as we watch the sunrise.

We return to our hotel for breakfast before travelling out from Galilee,  to Nazareth township. We enter inside the Basilica of the Annunciation where a traditional cave becomes the focal point of Mary’s response “Let it be done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38). Here we will take time to celebrate a touching Eucharist.

We will break for lunch and some free time in Nazareth before travelling onto the village of Cana where Jesus, at the request of His Mother, performed His first miracle transforming the water into wine at the wedding feast (Jn 2:1-12). Here, married couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows.

Sea of Galilee overnight (BLD)

Our day begins with Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes as we take time in this special place to ponder Jesus’ message of happiness – the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-12) and admire the beautiful garden settings of the mountain.

Departing Lake Galilee, we journey south through Samaria, a land rich in Old Testament history. We see the twin peaks of Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal, known in the Old Testament as Mt Blessing and Mt Cursing. Mt Gerizim is today the home of the few remaining Samaritans. 

Soon we come to the actual site of Jacob’s Well, hewn manually out of solid rock and over 100 feet deep. The water at the bottom of the well is fed by flowing water which is why ancients gave it the name of “living water”. It is at this well that Jesus met the Samaritan woman and said to her: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Jn 4:13-14)

After our visit here we will continue our journey  to Jerusalem – the City of our God. On arrival we will have time to visit a Christian Co-operative where we have time to purchase authentic Holy Land souvenirs. 

This evening, we will spend time in prayer and reflection prior to dinner at the hotel.

Jerusalem overnight (BD)

This morning, we travel out to Bethlehem, the City of David. In Shepherd’s Field we commemorate the appearance of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas night (Lk 2:8-16), with Mass.

Make a special visit to the Holy Child Program in Bethlehem which serves as a sanctuary of safety for the families of the region. The program facilitates the acquisition and development of new skills, recovery, and rehabilitation from trauma, build resiliency and instils hope for the future through a community of caring, committed professionals. We will learn of their extraordinary work in upholding the dignity of these children’s lives before opening our hearts and minds to serve alongside them.

Continue to the Church of the Nativity built over the stable where Jesus was born. Bending low, we enter the church through the Door of Humility and descend into the Grotto of the Holy Manger. A silver star in the floor marks the very spot where Christ was born. The star’s inscription reads in Latin: Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est (Here of the Virgin Mary Jesus Christ was born).

We will then visit the renowned Bethlehem University, a Catholic co-educational institution providing higher education to the people of Palestine.

Prior to dinner we will meet with the Bereaved Parents. These brave people have endured so much and are trying so hard to help to bring peace to the Holy Land.

Jerusalem overnight (BD)

We begin our day on the Mt of Olives where we will firstly visit the Church of the ‘Pater Noster’ commemorating the site where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Mt 6:7-15). As we commence our walk down the Palm Sunday Road, we wander past the tombs of the Prophets Haggai, Malachi and Zechariah before arriving at the Dominus Flevit for Mass. This church was built on the site where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Lk 19:41-44). 

Visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where we will enter the Church of the Agony containing the bare rock upon which Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest.  The outside garden contains olive trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus.  [From here we see the path Jesus was taken along as a prisoner while ascending Mt Zion to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas]. We will also have time for reflection in the private garden – Garden Virgin Mary.

We continue our day with a visit to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu , where in the prison below Our Lord was interrogated and imprisoned, while Peter denied Jesus three times. 

Nearby we stop at Mt Zion to visit the Cenacle room of the Last Supper and the Church of Dormition, believed to be the sacred place where Our Lady was assumed into heaven.

Jerusalem overnight (BD)

We commence our day with the Stations of the Cross, beginning from the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was condemned to death. See the Lithostrotos (pavement) in the Ecce Homo convent (time permitting). Visit nearby the Flagellation and Condemnation Chapels as we pray and follow in Our Lord’s footsteps along the actual Via Dolorosa to the site of Calvary where we will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Walk the stairway climbing to the actual site where the Cross of Jesus once stood. The glass panels reveal the natural rock below which we may come to touch with our pilgrim hands. Also enter the Edicule containing the tomb where Our Lord rose from the dead.

Continuing on visit the Church of St Anne, said to be built over the birthplace of the Virgin Mary, and the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralysed man (Jn 5:2-9).  Onwards to the Jewish section of the Old City for a general view of the Dome of the Rock, El Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall. 

In the afternoon, visit Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist and the site of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth “Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord” (Lk 1:43). Here, as pilgrims, we will spend some time reflecting on the joyful mysteries of the Rosary at this church dedicated to ‘The Magnificat’.

Jerusalem overnight (BD)

Travel along the Jericho Road as we remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and journey through desert hills and dry rocky landscape. Soon our coach will pass by the site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd boy.

We continue south along the Dead Sea to the historical Masada where, on arrival, we will embark on the cable car offering spectacular scenery to the summit. Here we will enjoy a guided tour of Herod’s fortress and the Zealot’s last stand.

Travel then to Jericho the ‘City of Palms’ which is said to be the oldest inhabited city and most famous oasis. We celebrate Mass at the Good Shepherd Church. Across the valley we see the Mt of Temptation, the site of Jesus’ fast of 40 days and there are enough stones to illustrate Satan’s words “If you are the son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves”. 

We enjoy a traditional Palestinian meal before stopping to view St Georges Monastery en route back to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem overnight (BLD)

Today you will have time to explore your favourite sites.

We will meet together for our final pilgrimage mass and enjoy a celebratory meal overlooking Jerusalem.

Jerusalem overnight (BD)