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Join Fr Gregory in Lent 2011 on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as we explore the cradle of Christianity and follow the footsteps of Jesus. Contact Fr Gregory via the parish office or at
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to express your interest.
Click here for booking forms.
ITINERARY
“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!”
Day 01 – 13 March 2011
Our spiritual journey begins tonight as we depart on our flight to the Holy Land. Soon you will be following the footsteps of Jesus.
Day 02 March 14, 2011
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by your local guide who will accompany you during your entire stay in The Holy Land. We depart via the coast to Caesarea Maritime. Perhaps the most significant event occurred here when Simon Peter shared the gospel with Cornelius who became the first Gentile convert [Acts 10:44-48]. It was the center of the Roman governors including Pontius Pilates, the Procurator of Juda in A.D. 26-36. This is the only archaeological find with an inscription mentioning the name "Pontius Pilatus”. Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins, the Crusader City, the well preserved Theatre, the ancient port and the Roman Aqueduct.
We will be heading towards Haifa through Carmel Mountains. We will visit the Carmelite Monastery Stella Maris [Mass] and Muhraqa. It is here that Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal and succeeded in proving to the people that the God of Israel is the true God [1 Kings 18:17-40].
Dinner and overnight [D]
Day 03 March 15, 2011
After breakfast we shall head to Cana, the site where Jesus performed his first public miracle [John 2:1-10]. We will visit the Franciscan chapel for a renewal of wedding vows. Continue to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of Annunciation where we will celebrate Mass. The Basilica is said to be build over the place where Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would be the Savior’s mother [Luke 1:26-38]. You will also visit Mary’s Well and the Church of St. Joseph. We will also visit Nazareth Village a replica of what Nazareth was 2000 years ago.
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 04 March 16, 2011
This morning we begin our day with a boat cruise across the Sea of Galilee. Our stop will be on the shore of Capernaum where Peter lived and where Jesus began his public ministry. “Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea…” [Matthew 4:13]. There he began teaching in its Synagogue, healed a man who had the spirit of an unclean devil and healed a fever in Simon Peter's mother-in-law [Luke 4:31-41].
This will be followed by a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes to gain a panoramic vista of the Sea of Galilee. It is from this beautiful spot that Jesus gave his most famous address, The Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7]. Then to Tabgha the fruitful garden where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish [Mark 6:30-46]. We shall see the magnificent mosaic commemorating the miracle of the multiplication.
We will then head to the nearby Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. Today you will have an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of St. Peter or Mt Beatitudes.
Dinner and overnight [B/L/D]
Day 05 March 17, 2011
We start the day by heading to Mount Tabor, the site of the Church of the Transfiguration [Matthew 17:1-8]; we shall ascend by a smaller motor vehicle due to its narrow route. Here we will celebrate Mass on its summit.
We proceed to visit Caesarea Philippi, where the Apostle Peter made his great confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Matth. 16:13-17). Drive to Lower Golan where we will visit the Assyrian Village. We end our day by visiting the Baptismal site of Yardenit; it is at the point where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee. Here you can renew your baptismal vows in the waters of the river where our Lord was baptized by John. [Luke 3:21-22].
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 06 March 18, 2011,
Today we will visit the Jordan Valley and drive through the Judean Wilderness and pass the small town of Nain. This is where Jesus raised the widow's son (Luke. 7:11-17). Next we visit the excavations of the ancient city of Beth Shan. It became the capital city of the Decapolis and was the only one on the west side of the Jordan.
Proceed to the Mountain Fortress of Masada. This is the site of the last Jewish resistance against Romans in A.D. 73. Before returning for dinner we will visit the Dead Sea. Its surface and shores are 422 meters (1,385 ft) below sea level, the lowest elevation on the Earth's surface on dry land. You will enjoy a swim or rather a float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea renowned for its healing properties.
Dinner and Overnight [B/D]
Day 07 March 19, 2011,
After breakfast we will stop to visit Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery. Drive to Jericho, the most ancient city in the world. We also stop at the Sycamore Tree. It is believed that Zacchaeus had climbed up a Sycamore Tree as he wanted to catch a glimpse of this wonderful savior. We will stop to view Mt. Temptation where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of Satan. The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked', is Wadi Qelt, site of the Monastery of St George. On our way up to Jerusalem we will pass Bethany and visit Lazarus Tomb.
(Mass in Bethany if time permits or the Good Shepherds Church in Jericho)
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 08 March 20, 2011
After breakfast we will head to the city of Ein Karem. It was the home of Elizabeth and Zechariah and the birthplace of St John the Baptist. Visit the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the home of Zachariah and Elizabeth and proclaimed the 'Magnificat' [Luke 1:39-80].
We stop to visit the Shrine of the Book the home of Dead Sea scrolls and the Jerusalem Model during Jesus’ time.
In the afternoon we drive to the Shepherd's Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The Church was build above the Grotto of the Nativity IN WHICH Jesus was born. [Mass]. You will also visit the Basilica of St. Catherine build on the foundations of a Crusader Church erected in the twelfth century. The Church was dedicated to Saint Catherine, who died as a martyr in Egypt during the fourth century. We drive to Jerusalem passing Rachel Tomb.
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 09 March 21, 2011
After breakfast we shall start our pilgrimage in Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. From this hill Jesus prophesied to his disciples that the Temple would one day fall [Luke19:41-44].
Visit the Chapel of the Ascension [Acts 1:9-11] on the peak of the Mount of Olives and the Convent of Pater Noster where the Lord’s Prayer is displayed in 110 languages. “He said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed by your name…. [Luke 11:2-4]
We will walk down the "Palm Sunday route" stopping at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem [Luke 19:41].
We will then walk to the garden of Gethsemane, filled with olive trees. Here Jesus spent his last hours in solitude and prayed His last prayer before his arrest. "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done." [Luke. 22:40-46]. We will celebrate Mass at the Grotto of Gethsemane.
After mass we visit The Last Supper Room ["upper room"] in which Jesus shared the Last Supper with the disciples. It is located directly above the Tomb of David and near the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion. The Dormition Abbey marks the spot where the Virgin Mary fell into her “eternal sleep”. Visit the cave of betrayal (Luke. 22:40-46). Then to the cave of Assumption of Mary to Heaven We end the day at The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu is dedicated to Peter’s denials. This is possibly the site of Caiaphas’ house where Jesus was tried and kept overnight.
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 10- March 22, 2011
It is an inspiring day full of meditation and prayer. In the early morning we retrace the last steps of Jesus as we walk the Via Dolorosa, praying the Stations of the Cross. We reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice as he bore the burden of our sins on the Cross at Golgotha. “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” [Luke 23:34]. We arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. Return back towards St. Stephen Gate to visit St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. We pass the Ecce Homo where Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man”. You will also have an opportunity to visit the Wailing Wall, the most holy shrine for Jews. Nearby is the Dome of the Rock or Temple Mount. In the evening we will head to the Notre Dame of Jerusalem. In the center we will visit the Exhibition of the Shroud of Turin to be followed by a Farwell dinner.
Dinner and overnight [B/D]
Day 11 March 23, 2011
Today you will have a free day at leisure to re-visit some of the sacred sites and for last minute shopping.
Day 12 March 24, 2011
After breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival you will be met by your Egyptian guide. You will visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Old city of Cairo. A Nile dinner cruise awaits you before your transfer to the airport for your late night flight to Johannesburg
TOUR PRICE
R18,500.00 per person sharing
R2,525.00 single supplement
Depart Johannesburg > Tel Aviv 13 March 2011
Depart Tel Aviv > Johannesburg via Cairo 24 March 2011
Arrive Johannesburg 25 March 2011
Accommodation:
4 nights Nazareth (Sisters of Nazareth Convent or Similar)
1 night Jericho (Jericho Resort or Similar)
5 nights Jerusalem (St Vincent Convent or Similar)
Price includes the following services:
Airfare & airport taxes (ex-Johannesburg)
Insurance for persons under the age of 70 years
Accommodation on H/B Basis (Breakfast & Dinner) sharing
1 lunch - St Peter Fish
Transportation in a deluxe coach
Entrance fees as per program including Masada and Cable Car
Farewell Dinner in Jerusalem
Licensed Tour Guide
Price does not include:
Domestic flight to Johannesburg (from Port Elizabeth, please allow R 1 500)
Personal items, lunches and drinks
All tips and gratuities
Any other services not mentioned above
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