2021 Footsteps of Jesus “Join me live on location in the Holy Land of Israel as we traverse the homeland of Our Lord and Saviour and explore the backroads of our faith as never before. I am personally so excited to take you through the living pages of scripture on what promises to be a true pilgrimage of the heart.” – Tim Staples 10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS. COMMENCES SAT 4TH SEP 2021 Bethlehem (2) • Masada • Jericho • Nazareth (1) • Cana • Sea of Galilee (3) • Mt Beatitudes • Mt Tabor • Mt Carmel • Haifa • Jerusalem (4). with Post Option: Wonders of Jordan (3): Petra • Wadi Rum • Dead Sea Tim Staples DEAD SEA CHURCH OF NATIVITY, BETHLEHEM NAZARETH VILLAGE highlights tree used to commemorate the powerful story of pilgrim the tax collector Zacchaeus. Across the valley see the Mt of Temptation where Jesus was tempted + Pay homage in Bethlehem before the silver star + Walk a hidden stretch of the authentic Jesus Trail by the devil during his 40 day fast. that marks the very spot of Jesus’ birth. through the mountain pass in Christ’s actual Soon we arrive at the Jordan River Baptismal footsteps towards Lake Galilee. + Be invited to the local homes of Christians in site (Qasr Al Yehoud), an archeological discovery Bethlehem to enjoy a delicious meal during our + Enter as a group into a private gated Garden said to be the actual location where Jesus was ‘Breaking the Bread’ fellowship encounter. in Gethsemane for an extended time of prayer Baptised. amidst ancient olive trees. + Join the Evening Torchlight Procession in Finally, we journey north through the Jordan valley Nazareth to honour Mary’s Yes to God. + Celebrate a Sunday Parish Mass in solidarity with before arriving into Nazareth, the hometown of Celebrate a breathtaking Mass in the centre one of the last remaining Catholic Communities in Jesus’ childhood. + the Holy Land. of Lake Galilee onboard our traditional sailing After dinner we will prayerfully enter the vessel floating in silence and tranquility. + Walk in Jesus’ footsteps as we pray the Stations Basilica of the Annunciation for a memorable Enjoy an exclusive ‘Breakfast with Jesus’ in a of the Cross at dawn along the deserted Via Candlelight Procession with the locals. + Dolorosa streets in the Old City of Jerusalem. private location by the shores of Galilee. Mass Setting: Jordan River Baptismal Site. Bow low at the altar of Calvary and touch the very Nazareth overnight (BD) + Engage in inspired People & Plight encounters + in Haifa & Jerusalem and be moved by the faith rock where Jesus was crucified. and resilience of the local peoples. DAY 4: TUE 7 SEP - NAZARETH & CANA TO SEA OF GALILEE SYMBOLS: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch (D) Dinner Time Out - Extended time for Reflection Theme: The Formative Years of Jesus We begin our day back at the Basilica of the Annunciation where a traditional cave becomes DAY 1: SAT 4 SEP - ARRIVE THE HOLY LAND the Scriptures. the focal point to Mary’s response to the Angel Welcome to Bethlehem where we formally begin Prepare to enjoy tonight our special Breaking the Gabriel “Let it be done to me according to thy word” our chronological journey in the Footsteps of Bread Experience as we enter the homes of local (Luke 1:38). After celebrating Mass we will visit the Jesus. Christians for fellowship and to share in a delicious nearby Church of St Joseph to commemorate the Bethlehem overnight (D) home-cooked Arabic meal. life of Mary’s beloved spouse. We then enter Mass Setting: Shepherd’s Field. the nearby Synagogue Church, built on the site DAY 2: SUN 5 SEP - BETHLEHEM & SURROUNDS Bethlehem overnight (BD) where Jesus read the Messianic passage in Isaiah Theme: The Birth of Jesus 61 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”… We firstly travel out toEin Karem and ascend the DAY 3: MON 6 SEP - VIA MASADA & JERICHO TO Continue onto Nazareth Village, an authentic non- hill to the Church of the Visitation where Mary NAZARETH profit re-creation of the village life of Nazareth as visited Elizabeth and proclaimed her Magnificat Theme: Ancient Desert Encounters in the days of Jesus. Here we will take a parable- prayer – ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of We farewell Bethlehem this morning and journey rich walk back in time along the path which brings the Lord’. From here we come to the Church of east along the Jericho Road where we recall to life the environment and atmosphere which St John the Baptist, built over a natural grotto the parable of the Good Samaritan. Ascend St shaped Jesus’ early years and ministry. Complete identified as the saint’s actual birthplace. George’s Monastery lookout to marvel at the cliff- our memorable visit with a fascinating Biblical Continue to the Shepherd’s Field to celebrate hanging 5th-century complex carved into a sheer Meal in the original setting of a first century house. a joyous Christmas Mass in a local cave to rock wall. Travel east this afternoon and on to the village of commemorate the appearance of the angels to Travelling south along the Dead Sea we arrive Cana where Jesus, at the request of His Mother, the shepherds on that first Holy night. at historic Masada where we will embark the performed His first miracle transforming the Back in Bethlehem this afternoon we will enter Cable Car offering spectacular scenery to the water into wine at the wedding feast (Jn 2:1-12). the spectacular Church of the Nativity, the summit before a guided tour of Herod’s fortress Here, married couples will have the opportunity oldest complete church in the Christian world (6th overlooking the Judean Desert. to renew their wedding vows. Journey onto the century) and birthplace of Our Lord and Saviour. We briefly pause outsideQumran where the Dead panoramic Mt Arbel lookout to catch our first Bow low and enter the grotto through the Door of Sea scrolls were found by a Bedouin Shepherd glimpse of Lake Galilee and the entire Golan Humility as we descend to the Holy Manger where boy in 1947. Heights. a silver star in the floor marks the actual spot Onwards to Jericho, the ‘City of Palms’, said to be Finally we arrive at the shores of Lake Galilee … where Jesus was born. Visit the adjacent Cave the oldest inhabited city in the world dating back “Go to Galilee and you will find him there” (Mt 28:7). of St Jerome where he spent 30 years translating to around 9000 BC. Stop by the famous Sycamore Mass Setting: Basilica of the Annunciation. Caesarea Philippi Cana Nazareth 3 Sea Galilee Mt Carmel 1 Mt aor Caesarea Maritima J ayeh el Ai Jericho Jesalem 4 Mt Neo Bethlehem 2 Madaa Masada 1 Dea Sea ISRAEL 2 Petra Wers Jra Post Tour Option Wadi Rum SEA OF GALILEE Via Aqaba Sea of Galilee overnight (BLD) Fully mobile pilgrims have the opportunity in TASTE & SEE the mid afternoon to walk a spectacular stretch meals DAY 5: WED 8 SEP - SEA OF GALILEE of the actual Jesus Trail* frequented by Our Bethlehem: Meet the local Christians as we Theme: The Public Ministry of Jesus Lord between Nazareth and Capernaum. This enjoy a delicious Arabic meal in their homes Arise and set out on a spectacular day of well-worn shepherd’s path through the Valley of during our ‘Breaking the Bread’ host dinners pilgrimage as we firstly board a traditional ‘Jesus the Doves offers a rare and genuine opportunity experience. Boat’ sailing vessel for a special Harvest highlight to prayerfully tread the actual footsteps of Nazareth: ’Taste & See’ a traditional First- – a Private Mass in the centre of Lake Galilee. Jesus down through the rustic pass between Century style meal in a classic outdoor Here we will float in quiet tranquility and reflect the mountains. *Weather and personal fitness setting befitting the times of Jesus. upon the miracles of Jesus calming the storm and dependent. Experience a renowned ‘St Peter’s appearing to the apostles walking on this very Tiberias: Mass Setting: Mt of Beatitudes Outdoor Altar. Fish’ lunch freshly caught from the Sea of water. Sea of Galilee overnight (BD) Galilee! Back on shore, see the 1st century ‘Jesus boat’ Galilee: Share together a stunning ‘Breakfast painstakingly raised and restored from the muddy DAY 7: FRI 10 SEP - VIA MT TABOR & MT CARMEL with Jesus’ in a secret location by the shores lakebed in 1986. TO JERUSALEM of Lake Galilee. Continue onto Capernaum, the once fishing Theme: Mountains of the Lord Mt Carmel: Share a beautiful meal in Haifa We begin our day ascending by taxis up the village of the first apostles Peter, Andrew, James & in a breathtaking setting overlooking the narrow winding road leading to the majestic John which also became the home town of Jesus Mediterranean Sea. and the scene of many of His miracles. summit of Mt Tabor. Here Our Lord’s divinity Taybeh: Be served up a delicious lunch by After our St Peter’s Fish lunch, we will journey shone forth in the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-2). After our private Mass in this breathtaking setting the Rosary Sisters here in the Holy Land’s last north to Caesarea Philippi where the beautiful remaining Christian village. springs of Banias form the source of the we will understand Peter’s words ‘Lord it is good for Jerusalem: Celebrate our final night together Jordan River. It was here where Jesus asked the us to be here’. in a first class restaurant overlooking the Continue west to the city of Haifa wrapped by the disciples “Who do you say I am?” and went on to illuminated Old City.