Pilgrimage to the HOLY LAND
Of all Christian pilgrimages, the Holy Land must surely be the most desired. Since the first day of that empty Tomb - pilgrims from all over the world have made their journey of faith to that sacred spot to ponder, wonder and above all to re-live the life of Jesus.
This is the land where Jesus was born, suffered, died and rose from the dead for our salvation. Many pilgrims, in Origen's words, wished
"to walk in the footsteps of the Master"
The land is a mixture of rocky mountains, fruitful plains, sea coasts and spectacular deserts as well as containing a spiritual and historical treasure trove. From the Mt of Olives to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and green oasis, it is full of contrasts.
In Pope John Paul II's words, ...
" It is a witness which sets me in a long procession of people, who for 2000 years have gone in search of the "footprints" of God in that land, rightly called "holy", pursuing them as it were in the stones, the hills, the waters which provided the setting for the earthly life of the Son of God ... How many pilgrims, how many saints, have followed these paths down the centuries! Even when events in history disturbed the essentially peaceful nature of pilgrimage to the Holy Land, giving it an aspect which, whatever the intentions involved, was hard to reconcile with the image of the Crucified One, more sensitive Christian souls sought only to find the living memory of Christ on that soil".
Walk in His Footsteps and see through His eyes. A visit to the River Jordan, Bethlehem and Nazareth and the many other places associated with Jesus and His Holy Family make this
"the pilgrimage of a life time."
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Day 1
[London - Tel Aviv] Fly from London to Tel Aviv. Our local rep will meet and greet you on arrival. Transfer to your hotel in Nazareth for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
[Tiberias - Sea of Galilee] We begin our pilgrimage in His Footsteps. Mt of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon. Celebrate Mass here. Visit the Church of St Peter’s Primacy, explore the Capernaum and see the new church built on Peter’s house. Proceed to Tabgha - the Church of the Multiplication of Fishes and Loaves. Sail across the Sea of Galilee. Peter’s lunch will be arranged. Time permitting, see the “Jesus boat”. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 3
[Nazareth - Cana - Mt. Tabor] Visit the basilica of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well. Continueto the Wedding Church in Cana where Jesus performed his first public miracle, turning a large quantity of water into wine. Opportunity for couples to pray and renew their marriage vows. Climb up Mt. Tabor for an overview of the entire Jezreel Valley, visit the church of Transfiguration - on to the River Jordan, Yardinit for the renewal of Baptismal Vows. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
Day 4
[Jericho - Qumran - Dead Sea] Today we’ll travel from Nazareth to Bethleham via Jericho. Visit the Qumran caves – home of the first sect known as the Essences and the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, a short break by the sea to relax. Stop in Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Continue on to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Day 5
[Jerusalem - Mt Olives & Mt Zion] In morning we’ll visit the church of Pater Noster and the chapel of Ascension, Dominus Flevit where Jesus stopped and wept, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon we’ll travel to Mt. Zion. See King David’s Tomb, the Upper Room, traditionally held to be the site of the Last Supper, the church of the Dormition where Mary is believed to have fallen into eternal sleep. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 6
[Bethlehem - Ein Krim] Mass at the church of Nativity, the birth place of the Christ. Visit the Shepherd’s Fields, identified since ancient times with the shepherds who saw the Star of Nativity. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to Ein Karim, the birth place of John the Baptist. Spend time at the church of Visitation where Mary visited her cousin Elisabeth. Return to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.
Day 7
[Temple Mount - Holy Sepulchre] Travel to the Old City. Visit the Wailing Walls in the morning. Participate in the Via Dolorosa to reach the basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, the tomb of Jesus Christ. The afternoon is free for your leisure. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8
[Tel Aviv - London] The morning is free for your leisure in Bethlehem before being transferred to Tel Aviv for your return flight to London.
Depart | Return | No of Days | ModeOfTransport | Pilgrimage | Tour Leader | Package Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 March 2020 | 9 March 2020 | 8 | EasyJet from Luton | The Holy Land | Fr. Dana | £ 1190 |
1 Aug 2020 | 8 Aug 2020 | 8 | TBC | The Holy Land | Vinie Edirimanasinghe | £ 1190 |
3 Sept 2020 | 10 Sept 2020 | 8 | By Air | The Holy Land | Mo Lynn | £ 1190 |
19 Oct 2020 | 26 Oct 2020 | 8 | By Air - BA from Heathrow | The Holy Land | Fr. Nicholas Schofield | £ 1250 |
19 Oct 2020 | 19 Oct 2020 | 8 | ELAL from Luton | The Holy Land | Fr. Emmanuel Ogunnaike | £ 1250 |
17 Nov 2020 | 24 Nov 2020 | 8 | ELAL from Luton | The Holy Land | Yahaira Estrada | £ 1190 |
Included: Return flights from London - Tel Aviv+ taxes, private coach transports in Israel, in-flight meals, 3&4* hotel on half board, local Christian tour guide, all entrance fees.
Extras: Single room supplement, travel insurance, lunches and drinks, coach transport in the UK, optional excursions, gratuities, any other costs of a personal nature.
# The above itinerary & package prices are for guidance only and are subject to minor alterations due to circumstances (local/overseas) that may arise beyond our control. #
FIND YOUR FAITH
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy ...
....