Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
with Fr. Tom Cloherty
Nov. 12-22, 2009

Day 1: Depart Dallas
Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our flight to Israel. Meals and drinks served aloft.

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv / Netanya
After arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we will be met at the airport and then transfer to our hotel located on the shores of the Mediterranean in Netanya. (D)

Day 3: Netanya / Tiberias
This morning, leave Netanya for Tiberias. Drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea, capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea. Here, St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader's Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Continue to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, for Mass. Continue to Tiberias, our home for the next three nights. (B/D)

Day 4: Tiberias
Following breakfast, drive to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle - changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we'll invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Following Mass in Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, visit the Cave of the Annunciation. In the afternoon take an excursion to the summit of Mt. Tabor to visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. (B/D)

Day 5: Tiberias
This morning, enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Jesus during His ministry where we will celebrate Mass. After visiting the synagogue where he taught, drive to Tabgha - site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Next, drive to the Mount of Beatitudes for Mass at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. The remainder of the day is free. (B/D)

Day 6: Tiberias / Jerusalem
After Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes we will depart Galilee late this morning for Jerusalem. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River where we will renew our baptismal vows. Continue via the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean, where we’ll view from our coach an ancient Roman amphitheater. From here, drive through the Judean wilderness to Jerusalem. (B/D)
 
Day 7: Jerusalem
This morning, drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, Ascension, and then walk the "Palm Sunday Road" to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations for Mass on the Rock of Agony. In the afternoon, drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous "Magnificat". (B/D)

Day 8 : Jerusalem
This morning, enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda and the Chapel of Flagellation. We will then carry a wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. In the afternoon proceed to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Dormition Abbey and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times. (B/D)

Day 9: Jerusalem
After early Mass at the Tomb of Our Lord, drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Continue through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. If permitted we will continue on to visit Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel", we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain, the Qarantal and the Mount of Temptation. Return to Jerusalem. (B/D)

Day 10 : Jerusalem
Drive to Bethlehem and have Mass at the Shepherd's Fields. Above the traditional Grotto of Jesus' birth, visit the Nativity Church, built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Also tour the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, the Church of St. Catherine, and the Milk Grotto. Then visit the Franciscan Family Center followed by some free time for shopping before returning to Jerusalem. This evening we will have a farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for our late evening return flight home.  (B/D)

Day 11 : Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / Dallas
Today our Holy Land pilgrimage comes to an end as we arrive back home following our overnight flight from Tel Aviv.