A Holy Land Pilgrimage as organized and sponsored by the Crossroads Initiative, is a truly unique experience. It is indeed a sacred pilgrimage, learning experience, and vacation all wrapped into one! A spiritual journey leading to spiritual breakthrough can also be fun and fascinating at the same time. The next adventure begins on December 27, 2013 and concludes on January 6, 2014, but it really doesn't end. Your return will mark a new beginning -- you will never read the Bible or participate in the Eucharist in the same way ever again. Here are some of the details of this one in a lifetime trip led by Catholic Theologian, historian, and biblical schlolar, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio (aka "Dr. Italy").
DEC 27: BEGINNING OUR PILGRIMAGE Depart New York via jet service. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
DEC 28: INTO THE LAND OF THE BIBLE Upon arrival in the afternoon, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with formalities. A luxury motorcoach will transfer you to the site of our first Mass together -- spot where the Ark of the Covenant rested before being brought by King David into Jerusalem.Proceed to our hotel in Jerusalem for check-in and dinner.
DEC 29: JERUSALEMThis morning visit the Church of St. Ann, built on the site of the birthplace of Our Lady where Mass will be celebrated. Continue to the Pool of Bethesda, where Christ healed the paralytic. Visit the Western Wall of the Temple (“The Wailing Wall) which is the most sacred spot in the world for Jews.In the afternoon proceed to the National Museum, the Shrine of the Book. Continue to Mount Zion, visiting the room of the Last Supper and the Church of the Dormition.Next stop is the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu built on the site of the house of Caiaphas.Visit the dungeon where Christ was kept on Holy Thursday night and the high priest’s courtyard where Peter denied Christ thrice.
DEC 30: MOUNTAINS OF JERUSALEMDrive to the Mount of Olives and visit the Church of the Ascension, the spot where Christ ascended into Heaven; DominusFlevit, the spot where Christ wept over Jerusalem and onwards to Gethsemane to view the ancient Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane and to visit the Church of All Nations which houses the Rock of the Agony of Christ on Holy Thursday. Celebrate Mass at the Church of All Nations. Visit the Cave of the betrayal and the Tomb of Our Lady. In the afternoon, visit EinKarem, the beautiful spot in the hill country of Judea where Our Lady came to visit her cousin Elizabeth. View the plaques with the Magnificat in most languages of the World. Visit the parish church of St. John the Baptist, and the Grotto of his birth. Return to your hotel.
DEC 31: JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEMDrive to Bethlehem where we will have the chance to see the beautiful handiwork of the local Christian craftsmen.Visit the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the site of the birthplace of Christ. Visit the Cave where Christ was born and where our rosaries and crosses will be blessed by being touched to the spot where he was born.See the Chapel of St. Jerome, who lived here for many years and translated the Bible into Latin. Continue to the Shepherds fields and sing Christmas carols while recalling the "great throng of the heavenly hosts" who appeared to the Shepherds.Return to the hotel where we will ring in the New Year with adoration, Mass and festivities.
JAN 01: Morning at leisure.In the afternoon, we will tour the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Chapel of Flagellation, the chapel of Condemnation and the Lithostrotos, the site of the Antonia Fortress where Christ was condemned to death by Pilate. Beginning the way of the Cross here, we will carry the cross along the Via Dolorosa - ending at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb. Visit Calvary and the Tomb of Our Lord followed by a short tour of the Basilica.Return to your hotel.
JAN 02: THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEAAfter breakfast, visit the Temple area which was the scene of many episodes from the life of Christ, such as the expulsion of the money changers. Here now stands the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest spot in the world for the Moslem faith. Proceed through the Judean Wilderness to Jericho. Visit Elisha’s Fountain and the ancient city of Jericho from which you can view the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. Continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947.We will then visit a beach club on the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, where you can float in the super-buoyant water if you wish.Return to your hotel for your final night in Jerusalem.
JAN 03: JERUSALEM TO GALILEEThis morning drive north from Jerusalem to Galilee. Ascend to the top of Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.Proceed to Nazareth where you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she was to become the mother of God. Visit the home of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s workshop, Mary’s Well and the Synagogue where Jesus preached. Drive to Cana, where Christ performed his first miracle and where any married couples can renew their marriage vows. Proceed to your hotel on the Sea of Galilee.
JAN 04: THE SEA OF GALILEE AND UPPER GALILEEIn the morning, we cross the Sea of Galilee by boat from Tiberias to Capernaum, now in ruins but once a thriving town where Peter lived and where much of the public ministry of Christ took place. See the Church of the Primacy of Peter, where Christ confirmed Peter as Head of the Church and we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ taught the Eight Beatitudes to his Disciples. Mass will be celebrated at the Mount of Beatitudes. Proceed to Tabgha, the place of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish. Continue to the ruins of Magdala where Mary Magdalene lived. Return to the River Jordan where we will renew our baptismal vows together. Return to your hotel.
JAN 05: ALL THE PAST YEARS WITH HISTORY / NEW YORKMorning departure from Tiberias to continue to Haifa, visiting Mount Carmel and the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where Mass will be celebrated, and the Cave of the Prophet, Elijah. Proceed along the shores of the Mediterranean to CaesareaMaritima on the Plains of Sharon to visit the ruins of the Crusaders' city, surrounded by a moat and a city wall enclosing the ruins of the Roman city. Visit the Roman Theater. Proceed to our hotel in Tel Aviv where you will have the chance to rest, shower, and prepare for our farewell dinner and departure to the airport for our return flight to the USA.
JAN 06: NEW YORK: Arrive at JFK in New York in the morning, local time. .
***Mass will be celebrated daily***
$3759.00 - From JFK airport, New York City
Taxes, tips and travel to JFK airport is not included.
Single supplement for our Holy Land Pilgrimage is $775 - and is VERY limited - if you are traveling alone and wish to be in your own room reserve early!
