DAY 1: Monday, Sep 20 Departure from the United States

Depart the United States for the Holy Land (Tel Aviv). Complimentary meals and beverages are served onboard the international flight.

DAY 2: Tuesday, Sep 21 Arrival in Tel Aviv – Nazareth

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we are met by our private airport assistant. After passport control and luggage collection, we meet our guide and motor coach driver, who will accompany the group throughout the entire pilgrimage.

Transfer to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

Holy Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation

DAY 3: Wednesday, Sep 22 Mount Tabor – Cana – Nazareth

After breakfast, we travel to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–5). Time is provided for prayer and reflection on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity.

We continue to Cana of Galilee to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed His first sign by changing water into wine (John 2:1–11). Holy Mass is celebrated, including the renewal of wedding vows for married couples.

Return to Nazareth for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the town where Mary lived and where Jesus spent His childhood (Matthew 2:23). Our visit includes the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph, traditionally identified as the workshop of Joseph and the home of the Holy Family. We also visit the Grotto of the Annunciation, marking the place where the Angel Gabriel announced the Good News to Mary.

Following the pilgrims’ path, we visit Mary’s Well. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

DAY 4: Thursday, Sep 23 Sea of Galilee: Tiberias – Mount of Beatitudes – Tabgha – Capernaum

After breakfast, we travel to the Sea of Galilee. We visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20–49), and celebrate Holy Mass.

We continue to Tabgha to see the mosaic commemorating the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Luke 9:10–17) and visit the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, where Jesus entrusted Peter with pastoral leadership (John 21:15–17).

In Capernaum, we visit the remains of St. Peter’s house and the synagogue where Jesus preached. Lunch includes the opportunity to taste St. Peter’s fish. A highlight of the day is a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1–11). We also view the “Jesus Boat,” a 2,000-year-old fishing vessel discovered near Magdala.. Return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: Friday, Sep 24 Haifa – Caesarea – Emmaus – Jerusalem

This morning, we travel to Haifa and ascend Mount Carmel, where the Carmelite Order began nearly 900 years ago. Holy Mass is celebrated at Stella Maris, the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. We enjoy panoramic views of Haifa and the Baha’i Gardens. We continue to Caesarea Maritima, where St. Peter baptized Cornelius and where St. Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome. We visit the Roman aqueduct, theater, and the palace of Pontius Pilate. In the afternoon, we visit Emmaus and the Abbey of St. Mary of the Resurrection, traditionally associated with the appearance of the Risen Lord to the disciples (Luke 24:13–35).

Continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6: Saturday, Sep 25 Bethlehem – Ain Karem – Jerusalem

This morning, we travel to Bethlehem to visit the Basilica of the Nativity, the birthplace of our Lord. We visit the Grotto of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, and the caves of St. Joseph and St. Jerome beneath the basilica.

We proceed to the Shepherds’ Fields, where the angels announced the birth of Christ. Time is provided for shopping at local Christian stores.

Holy Mass: Basilica of the Nativity

In the afternoon, we travel to Ain Karem to visit the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation, where Mary proclaimed the Magnificat (Luke 1:39–56). Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 7: Sunday, Sep 26 Jerusalem – Mount of Olives – Mount Zion

After breakfast, we ascend the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. We visit the Church of the Pater Noster and walk along the Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city. We continue to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Rock of the Agony and spend time in prayer and meditation.

Holy Mass: Garden of Gethsemane In the afternoon, we visit Mount Zion, including the Church of the Dormition, the Cenacle (Upper Room), and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Christ. Visit to the Latin Patriarchate and meeting with the Patriarch. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 8: Monday, Sep 27 Jerusalem – The Passion of Our Lord

We enter the Old City of Jerusalem to visit the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, the Cardo, and exterior views of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

After lunch, we visit St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda, followed by the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned by Pontius Pilate.

From there, we walk the Via Dolorosa, praying the Stations of the Cross, concluding at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We visit Calvary and the Empty Tomb.

Holy Mass: Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 9: Tuesday, Sep 28 Bethany – Jordan River – Jericho – Dead Sea

After breakfast, we travel to Bethany to visit the Tomb of Lazarus. We continue to the Jordan River to renew our baptismal promises. In Jericho, we overlook the Mount of Temptation, recalling Jesus’ forty days of fasting and temptation. We proceed to the Dead Sea for time to float in its mineral-rich waters.

Holy Mass: Jericho or Bethany. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.

DAY 10: Wednesday, Sep 29 Jericho – Allenby Bridge – Wadi Rum

After breakfast, we cross the Allenby Bridge into Jordan, where our Jordanian guide and motor coach await. We continue to Wadi Rum, the “Valley of the Moon,” renowned for its dramatic desert landscape.

In the afternoon, we enjoy a jeep tour of the desert, with an optional camel ride. Dinner and overnight at a desert camp.

Holy Mass: Wadi Rum Camp

DAY 11: Thursday, Sep 30 Wadi Rum – Petra

This morning, we travel to Petra, the ancient Nabatean capital, known as the “Rose City.” We walk through the Siq to reach the Treasury (Khazneh) and explore the archaeological site, renowned for its rock-cut architecture and water systems. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Optional horse ride in Petra.

Holy Mass: To be determined. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

DAY 12: Friday, Oct 1 Petra – Mount Nebo – Madaba – Amman

After breakfast, we travel to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land before his death. Holy Mass: Mount Nebo We continue to Madaba to visit the Church of St. George and view the famous 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land.

Transfer to Amman for dinner and overnight.

DAY 13: Saturday, October 2 Return to the United States

Transfer to Amman Airport for the return flight to the United States.