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Home , Arch of Drusus, Crucifix (Michelangelo), Raphael Rooms

Pilgrimage Program to the Holy Land SAINT CATHERINE PARISH

The trip will be from June 18 to July 1, 2012

TUESDAY, JUNE 19 -

Arrive at 8:00am at Rome's Fiumicino airport. This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour entitled "Christian Rome" which includes: St. Mary Major, one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, a shrine that contains a relic from the manger of the infant Jesus; the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of St. John the Lateran, The Basilica of the St. John in Lateran, is the former residence of the prior to their return to Rome in 1377; St. Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under its main altar; and the - the oldest road from Roman times - plus the famous Domino Quo Vadis Chapel; see the ancient , ; Tomb of Celilia Metella. We will also enjoy a visit to the . The local guide will provide guidance regarding the history of this city and will accompany us into one of the most symbolic monuments of antiquity. The Romans came here to witness spectacles of gladiator’s contests between them and the beasts.

Coliseum is the popular name of the Flavio Amphitheatre, located in Rome. It was built in the first century by the emperors of the Flavio dynasty. It held gladiator fights that could be seen by 50,000 spectators, making it the largest amphitheater of . After free time for lunch, we will go to places including famous fountains in Rome, like Trevi Fountain, Piazza l people etc, etc Dinner and overnight for your last evening in Rome.

St. Peter's B

Basilica of Santa Maria la Mayor

The Paleo-christian church was built by Liberius around the year 356 as directed by a patrician that had received a message from the Virgin ordering him to build a temple on a snowy landscape at Mount Esquilino (also known as St Mary of the snow).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20 - ROMA PAPAL AUDIENCE !!!

Wake up in Eternal City, one of the greatest centers of Western Civilization and the first truly cosmopolitan city on earth! It is also spiritual capital for all the Catholics around the world. Today is truly a day we will have in our minds for many years to come. This morning we go to to attend the weekly Papal Audience or Blessing given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (pending papal schedule). Following the audience visit of the , a group of most impressive edifices with hundreds of galleries filled with art treasures. See awe-inspiring relics and works of art donated throughout centuries as tributes of . We'll cover The Tapestry Gallery, The Rooms and the most overwhelming , 's Masterpiece, restored mural of the Last Judgment. Later, enter the largest church in Christendom St. Peter's Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. Unsurpassed in beauty, a monument to the long history of the , to which pilgrims come from around the world, St. Peter's is the grandest of the world's churches. Marvel Pieta and Bernini's amazing bronze canopy. We will also visit the grave of Pope John Paul II located at the Vatican (time permitting). Before dinner, we'll have some time at leisure, to explore your own paths, to shop, or just to sit in one of the outside cafes and watch the world go by.

Interior of St. Peter's Basilica

THURSDAY, June 21 - ASSISI

San Damiano Crucifix

Visit the tomb of St Francis. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis that still retains something of the atmosphere of the early 1200s, the period when St Francis began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of the saint's possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was in St Mary of the Angels Basilica where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The founders of the Order of Poor Clares followed the teachings of St Francis by living a life of poverty and humility. We will visit these two saints' tombs before dinner and retiring for the evening.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22:

After breakfast, we'll have the morning free for last minute shopping and take a last walk in the unforgettable City of Rome, at noon depart to the airport for a flight to Beautiful Athens.

Arrival assistance and transfer to Hotel. Dinner and overnight Hotel Titania

SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - ATHENS

We will visit the Acropolis to see the ruins of the Parthenon, Erectheum and Propylae. For twenty five centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the Acropolis; we see the ruins of the Parthenon, the Erectheum and the Propylae. Afterwards, we will ascend Mars Hill where Paul spoke to the ancient Athenians about the one and only * God. From here we have an excellent view of the ancient agora; former center of the Athenian public life. We continue for a drive through the city to see the House of Parliament on Syntagma Square, the evzones in their picturesque uniforms guarding the Presidential Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also see the Library, the University, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympics of the modern era were held, the temple of the Olympian Zeus and Adrian’s Arch. This afternoon we continue our tour to Ancient Corinth. Here, under the shadow of the towering Acropolis, St. Paul preached and lived for two years. The vigorous and mostly Gentile Church he founded here in 50 AD caused him much grief and prompted him to write, at least, four letters to them. Visit the ruins of the ancient city where Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla. See the remains of the first century shops, the agora where Paul's trial by Gallio took place, the Fountain of Peirene, Temple of and the Bema. Return to Athens for dinner and overnight.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24 - ATHENS

Breakfast. We’ll depart for a visit to the city of Athens. This circuit allows you to see the enormous contrast between the capital extant of classical Greece and the cosmopolitan city. As you enter the ACROPOLIS you can admire the Temple of Athena NIKE, the Propylaea. The beautiful geometry of the Parthenon is unleashed before your eyes, the Erechtheion, with its famous portico of Cariatides, the Pandroseion. The museum contains many sculptural remains belonging to the buildings on the site. Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the modern city of Athens, the Royal Palace and the Olympic Stadium where the first Olympic Games were held. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. 23:30 When transfer to the airport, departure to Tel Aviv

MONDAY, JUNE 25 - TEL AVIV Galilee: Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Stella Maris, Cana, Nazareth, Basilica of the Annunciation We’ll arrive in the morning, and have breakfast at the hotel in Tel Aviv.

We travel via the coast to Caesarea, where the Romans held Paul prisoner. Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive through the Carmel Mountains heading for the Galilee. In Haifa, visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. Continue to Mukhraka where confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order was started. Drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle of changing water into wine; here couples may renew their wedding vows. Continue to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well and the Church of the Gabriel. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

TIBERIAS

TUESDAY, JUNE 26 - Jordan River & Mt Tabor

We start the day by remembering our Baptism at the Jordan River. Continue to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration, where we will have Mass, then drive down the Jordan Valley and head towards Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tiberias.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 - The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee Tiberias, Boat ride on Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi Some of today's highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St. Peter's house, a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy or Mt Beatitudes. In the afternoon we visit Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus answered him “You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Dinner and overnight at your hotel in the Galilee.

THURSDAY, JUNE 28 The Wilderness: Bethany, Jericho, Mt Temptation, Dead Sea We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked', is Wadi Qelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St. George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. On the way back there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. In the afternoon, there will be time for you to revisit some of your favorite sites and time for last minute buying of gifts for your loved ones. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 Jerusalem and Bethlehem: Mt Olives, Church of , Shepard's Fields, Church of the Nativity On the first day in Jerusalem we present an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4000 years of history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem such a unique city to the three major religions – Judaism, and Islam. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. 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 that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Mass in Bethlehem or the Shepherds Fields. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 Jerusalem, The Passion of Jesus' Last Hours Mt Olives, Palm Sunday, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption, Pater Noster We begin our day with a visit to the Mt. of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Then to Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Visit the cave of betrayal then the cave of Assumption of Mary to heaven. Back on the Mt of Olives we visit the Pater Noster with the Lords Prayer in many languages, and the Ascension from where ascended to Heaven. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

SUNDAY, JULY 1 Stations of the Cross: Via Dolorosa, St. Anne’s Church, Ecce Homo, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Wailing Wall, Upper Room, Dormition

Early in the morning we retrace the last steps of Jesus. As we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. After breakfast at our hotel we return to the Old City of Jerusalem to visit St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. We pass the Ecce Home where Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man”; then the Wailing Wall, the most holy place for Jews. Nearby is the Dome of the Rock and the Haram al Sharif or Temple Mount. We exit at Mt Zion. At the Cenacle we visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper. Next we go to Dormition Abbey where we believe the Blessed Mary died. We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him thrice. Dinner.

We bid farewell to our new friends and to a pilgrimage which will be in our memories for a long time to come. Departure from Tel Aviv Airport for our return flight to the USA. We fondly say, Shalom Israel !

HOTELS

ROME: Htl Esh Executive Style Address : Via di Torre Rossa, 80, Rome, Italy Phone: 00-800-97-33-42-26 http://www.hotel-rn.com/hw/a367515/index.htm

ATHENS: TITANIA HOTEL - Panepistimiou 52, Athens 106 78 - Greece, Telephone: Phone (0030210) 332-6000 - Fax: (210) 330-0700 http://www.titnia.gr

TIBERIAS: Ron Beach Hotel Sea of Galilee Tiberias P.O. BOX 173 Israel. Phone 04 679 1350 – Fax 04 679 1351 www.ronbeachhotel.com

JERUSALEM: Gran Court 15 St George St P.O.BO 280 Jerusalem 91002 Phone – 972 2 597 17 777 www.grandhotels.co.il