Pilgrimage to the Holy Land - December 3, 2019 (Omaha)

This morning we will take an excursion to the summit of Mt.Tabor where Jesus transfigured himself and revealed his Divine Glory to the apostles (Matt 17:2). Later, ascending the Golan Heights, we will stop at the Banias Spring that rises from under a cave and is one of the sources of the Jordan River. It was here in Banias (ancient Caesarea Philippi) where Peter made his confession of faith in Jesus. (B/D)

This morning, we will enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee and proceed to the Church of Peter’s Primacy (John 21:16). Here on the shore of Galilee, Jesus appeared to theApostles after His Resurrection and confirmed Peter in the role as Vicar of Christ with the words, “Feed My sheep.” The rock emerging from the center of the church is the actual table at which they ate breakfast. We will proceed onto Capernaum which for three years was the center of Jesus’ public ministry.Here our Lord met his first disciples – Peter, Andrew, James,John and Matthew – and worked many miracles. He healedPeter’s mother-in-law of a fever, brought a child back to life, cured a leper, healed the centurion’s servant, cast out a demon from a young boy and healed all that were sick (Matt 8:16). We will celebrate Mass, visit the synagogue where Jesus taught, and then drive to Tabgha – the site where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes and fed over 5000 people (Luke 9:13). (B/D)

After Mass at the Mount of the Beatitudes, we will travel to theRiver Jordan to renew our baptismal vows. The Bible tells us that the Children of Israel crossed the River Jordan opposite Jericho when they came into the Promised Land. The prophetElijah divided its waters and crossed with Elisha on dry land.Naaman the Syrian dipped in the waters seven times and was cured of his leprosy. And Jesus was baptized by John in theJordan (Mark 1:9). Each year, pilgrims from far and wide come to the Place of Baptism to immerse themselves in these holy waters. Proceed to ancient Jericho, the oldest known city in theWestern world. In 1250 B.C., Joshua encircled the city and at the blast of the priests’ trumpets, the walls came tumbling down(I Kings 16). Many times Jesus passed through this city on his way to Jerusalem. The sycamore fig, the tree which Zacchaeus climbed in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus, still grows in this area. From the ruins of ancient Jericho, we will ascend by cablecar to the Mount of Temptation where Jesus fasted and prayed forty days to resist the devil. Drive to Jerusalem. (B/D)

This morning we will drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives fora spectacular view of Jerusalem. We will visit the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray,Ascension Chapel, the site where Jesus ascended into Heaven, and then walk the “Palm Sunday Road” to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. We will proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations forMass on the Rock of Agony. In the afternoon, we will drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem, birthplace ofSt. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat”. (B/D)

Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through St. Stephen’s Gate to visit the Church of St. Anne, where the Blessed Virgin Mary was born. Next to this site is the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic man. We will then walk the Via Dolorosa finishing prayerfully in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where we will have Holy Mass. There we will climb Mt. Calvary and pray at the site of the crucifixion. We will venerate the site where Jesus’ body was anointed, the tomb where he was buried and rose from the dead, and the Chapel of St. Helena where the true cross was found. While in the old city, we will also see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, theArch of Ecce Homo, the “Wailing Wall”, and the Temple Mount.Afterwards, we exit the city to visit the Pool of Siloam, whereJesus healed a man born blind. We then go to Mount Zion tovisit St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times and the Upper Room, the site where Jesus celebrated theLast Supper. Last, we pray our Rosary together in the Church of Dormition, where Mary was assumed into heaven. (B/D)

We will drive to Bethlehem and have Mass at the Shepherd’sFields. Above the traditional Grotto of Jesus’ birth, we will visit the Nativity Church, built by the Emperor Constantine in the4th century. Also tour the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Church of St. Catherine. Then visit the Franciscan FamilyCenter and the Milk Grotto Chapel. Return to Jerusalem. (B/D)

After early Mass at the Tomb of Our Lord, drive back to the hotel for breakfast. We will then visit Abu Ghosh (Emmaus)where Jesus appeared following His Resurrection. FollowingMass, proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary,Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Take an excursion to the Dead Sea. Then visit Qumran where we will explore the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Return to Jerusalem. Later in the evening we will have our farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport for our late night return flight. (B/D)

Today our Holy Land pilgrimage comes to an end as we continue our return flight home.