SACRED HEART PARISH PILGRIMAGE TO September 17 – 21, 2019

GENERAL INFORMATION - Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. It's a nation known for historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. It has numerous fortresses, megalithic temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 B.C. In September the average temperatures range from a high of 28 to a low of 20 degrees C. There is a slight chance of some rain during the month, so while unlikely always good to be prepared.

The currency on Malta is the Euro and the exchange rate is around 1 Dinar (JOD) to 1.27 Euro. Maltese and English are the two official languages. The Maltese are known for their special talent with languages.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY – In May of 1565 Suleiman the Magnificent sent 40,000 Turkish troops to conquer the 700 Knights of Malta and a few thousand soldiers. They lost. The country consists of several small islands, but only three are inhabited. Valetta is the capital and located on Malta itself. It is the smallest capital city in the European Union, at only about half a square kilometer, and one of the world’s smallest capital cities. is the second largest island and its capital is Victoria. Many Maltese own a second home on Gozo where they can retreat for the quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The third island, Comino, has only a few inhabitants (at one point three, not sure what the total is today).

ITINERARY:

TUESDAY: Our plane leaves at 10:45AM and we arrive in Malta around 13:15, check in to the hotel and settle. It is good to get into comfortable clothes, maybe even have a shower to start the trip officially. We will walk around San Pawl Il Bahar on the coast of San Paul’s Bay, visit in St Paul's Shipwreck Chapel, (The church hosts fine artistic works, including the magnificent altarpiece by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio, the paintings by Attilio Palombi, and Giuseppe Calì The wooden titular statue of St Paul was carved in 1659 by Melchiorre Cafà, the brother of Lorenzo Gafà who designed the dome. The statue is paraded through the streets of on the feast day of St Paul's Shipwreck, February 10, sometimes during heavy rain. One can also view the relic of the right wrist-bone of St Paul, and part of the column from San Paolo alle Tre Fontane, on which the saint was beheaded in Rome.) then a cruise to San Pawl Island about 80 meters off the coast and have a private Mass, followed by dinner in a local restaurant. St Paul’s Island is sometimes split into two by the tide and can be referred to as St. Paul Islands.

WEDNESDAY: A full day with a visit to (the Silent City) Mdina is known as the Silent City, there are no cars allowed – and it is the place where a number of films have been shot, including episodes from “Game of Thrones.” The history of Mdina is extensive and goes back more than 4,000 years. St Paul was said to have been shipwrecked here and converted the governor and then the population, making Malta one of the earliest Christian countries. It is a wonderful example of an ancient European walled city. It was the capital of Malta until the Mdina's Main arrival of the Knights in 1530. Now has a population of around 300. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Paul, allegedly built on the spot where he met the governor – a visit not to be missed. was the home of a great collector of art and antiquities and the beautiful house has a central courtyard and fountain. St. Paul's Cathedral, was founded in the 12th century, and according to tradition it stands on the site of where Roman governor Publius met St. Paul following his shipwreck on Malta. The original cathedral was severely damaged in the 1693 Sicily earthquake, so it was dismantled and rebuilt in the Baroque style to a design of the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà between 1696 and 1705. The cathedral is regarded as Gafà's masterpiece. The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta, and since the 19th century this function has been shared with St. John's Co- Cathedral in Valletta.

Rabat, is a town in the Northern Region of Malta, with a population of around 12,000. The name of the town as it was the suburb of ,ال رب اط :'is derived from the Arabic word for 'suburb the old capital Mdina

Mass at St Paul's Grotto, a 17th century church built over the grotto where St. Paul is supposed to have stayed for three months.

St Agatha Catacombs, according to a strong local tradition, during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Trajanus Decius (AD 249-251), Agatha, together with some of her friends, fled from Sicily, her native land, and took refuge in Malta.

Her stay on the island was rather short, and she spent her days in the crypt at Rabat, in prayers and teaching the Christian Faith to the children. She realized that it would be better for her, to return to her native land and witness for her faith there, even at the risk of martyrdom. On landing in Sicily, Agatha was arrested and brought before Quintanus, praetor of Catania, who condemned her to torture and imprisonment. After a few days, on the 5th of February 251, she died in prison as a martyr.

Dingli Cliffs, a beautiful scenic spot. Malta is particularly known for its beautiful beaches and diving. We won’t have time for swimming or diving on this trip but keep it in mind if you are a diver, or just like beautiful scenery.

Hagar Qim Temple, is a megalithic temple complex, dating from the Ġgantija phase. The Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces."

The Blue Grotto refers to a number of sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta, a short distance off the fishermen's harbour of Wied iż-Żurrieq

A cruise to Marsaxlokk, (pronounced Marsah-shlock) a small, traditional fishing village in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It has a harbour, and is a tourist attraction known for its views, fishermen and history.

and a Maltese folk night in the evening (includes dinner).

THURSDAY: We start with Valletta, the capital of Malta- Valletta (or Il-Belt) is the tiny capital of the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. The walled city was established in the 1500s on a peninsula by the Knights of St. John, a Roman Catholic order. It’s known for museums, palaces and grand churches. Baroque landmarks include St. John’s Co-Cathedral, whose opulent interior is home to the Caravaggio masterpiece "The Beheading of Saint John."

Terraced Barrakka Gardens offers views over the Grand Harbour and the refurbished Vittoriosa waterfront of Birgu. When parliament’s not in session visitors can tour 16th-century Grandmaster’s Palace, currently the office of Malta’s president. The National Museum of Archaeology is housed in the Mannerist-style . The National Museum of Fine Arts, in a rococo palace, displays works by Maltese, Italian and other European artists. City Gate (an entry through Valletta’s fortified walls), the ultramodern Parliament House and open-air theatre Pjazza Teatru Rjal were designed by architect Renzo Piano.

Mass at St. Paul's Shipwreck Church, St John Co- Cathedral, Grand Master’s Palace, - The Grandmaster's Palace, officially known as The Palace, is a palace in Valletta, Malta. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries as the palace of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John, who ruled Malta, and was also known as the Magisterial Palace.

Visit in Birgu, Birgu, also known by its title Città Vittoriosa, is an old fortified city on the south side of the Grand Harbour in the South Eastern Region of Malta. The city occupies a promontory of land with Fort Saint Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base. Birgu is ideally situated for safe anchorage, and over time it has developed The Grand Master's Palace a very long history with maritime, mercantile and military activities. Birgu is a very old locality with its origins reaching back to medieval times. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Birgu due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour. In fact, it served as the base of the Order of Saint John and de facto capital city of Malta from 1530 to 1571. Birgu is well known for its vital role in the of 1565.

Fort St. Angelo

Senglea, Grand Harbour - The Grand Harbour (Maltese: il-Port il-Kbir), also known as the Port of Valletta is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks, wharves, and fortifications. Senglea, also known by its title Città Invicta, is a fortified city in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It is one of the Three Cities in the Grand Harbour area, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa, and has a population of slightly below three thousand people. The city's title Città Invicta was given because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. The name is Senglea since the Grand Master who built it, Claude de la Sengle, gave this city a part of his name.

Cruise on traditional maltese boats, There are two national boats of Malta, the Luzzu and the Kajjik. The luzzus are sturdy boats with a double-ended hull. Its design is believed to date back to Phoenician times and it survived because of its sturdiness and stability even in stormy seas. The word Luzzu comes from the Sicilian language and refers to a common fishing vessel used in Sicily. Originally, the Luzzu was equipped with sails but today almost all Luzzus are motorized with diesel engines. The Luzzus are painted in bright colors of yellow, red, green and blues and the bow is traditionally painted with a pair of eyes. These painted eyes are a modern version of an ancient Phoenician custom and they are referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris, both Egyptian deities, and as such they are said to protect the fishermen while at sea, ward off evil spirits and even tend to the boats while the owner is not present. The pair of eyes painted on the Luzzus remind some of the eye on the hand of Hamsa, a symbol that is a prominent fixture in many homes in Israel as well as on the doors of Arabic homes. The Hamsa is a sign of protection against the miserly, jealousy or evil gossip, and it is recognized throughout history as an amulet among the Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Kajjik is similar in appearance and function to the luzzu, however, it is smaller and has a flat square stern instead of a double-ended hull. Kajjiks are also used in rowing races in Malta.

The Luzzu is often considered as a symbol of Malta. Some Luzzus have been converted into passenger carriers for tourists but most continue to be used as fishing vessels.

return to the hotel

FRIDAY: Gozo Island - Gozo is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, one of 21 that make up the Maltese archipelago. Inhabited for thousands of years, it shows evidence of historic immigration and rule by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, French and British, among others. It’s known for its Neolithic Ġgantija Temple ruins, rural hiking paths, beaches and scuba-diving sites.

Ggantija Temple - Ġgantija is a megalithic temple complex from the Neolithic on the Mediterranean island of Gozo. The Ġgantija temples are the earliest of the Megalithic Temples of Malta. The Ġgantija temples are older than the pyramids of Egypt.

Ramla Bay is Sandy beach with Roman ruins, overlooked by Calypso Cave, with a restaurant & remains of a Roman villa.

Marsalforn is another beautiful bay along the coastline -

Dwejra, Dwejra Tower, sometimes known as Qawra Tower, is a small watchtower in Dwejra Bay, limits of San Lawrenz on the island of Gozo in Malta. It was completed in 1652, and is one of the Lascaris towers. Today, it is in good condition and is open to the public

We will celebrate Mass at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located some 700 metres from the village of Għarb on the island of Gozo, the sister island of Malta. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu.

Xewkija Church. The Church of Saint John the Baptist, commonly known as the Rotunda of or Xewkija Rotunda, is a Roman Catholic church in Xewkija, Gozo, Malta. The Rotunda was built in the village of Xewkija On the return way on Malta side if time will allow us we can visit Popeye Village - Film set from the 1980 musical 'Popeye', now a theme park village with boat rides & food outlets. A major tourist attraction.

Other possibilities include a visit to a Maltese winery, or producer of local traditional food.

SATURDAY –Our plane leaves at 7:15 AM and we land in Amman at 11:05 AM.

THE BASIC INFORMATION

The approximate total cost for the trip is 700 JOD per person. That includes:  Round trip air fare with Ryan Air from Amman to Malta and back to Amman in economy class with one 20KG suitcase and one 7KG carry on (assuming no change in the quoted rate prior to booking)  4 nights accommodation in 4 star hotel, double occupancy. Hotel has free wi-fi when available. For a single room there is a supplemental charge of 90 JOD. Breakfast each day is included.  All transfers and excursions in A/C coach  English speaking guide throughout the tours from day 1 to day 4  2 dinners (one on day 1 and the other on day 2)  All entrance fees  This does NOT include:  Tips (including a collection for each local church where we celebrate Mass), local and/or international telephone calls from the room/hotel, laundry, dry clean, mini bar, room service and any other not mentioned above  Souvenirs  Drinks of any kind during the meals  Transfers from your home in Amman to Queen Alia Int'l Airport (QAIA) and back  Lunch and dinner other than above (need to calculate approx 30 to 40 Euro per person per day)  Water  Roaming mobile fees and charges  Visa fees (Europeans, North Americans and some Asians exempt from obtaining a visa in advance.) Jordanians require a Schengen visa  Excess baggage weight charges and/or extra baggage charges  In flight entertainment, purchases and/or meals

A 50% JOD deposit (non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled) is required no later than August 19 to confirm the air tickets and space, with the balance by September 2nd. Advance payment is required for hotels, tour guides and special reservations. Confirm your reservation with Father John and indicate if you want a single or a double room. A single room carries an additional 90 JOD charge and we are limited as to how many are available. (Email: [email protected]).

 Father John can accept cash and will issue a receipt. If you want to pay by check or credit card, make and if you want to pay by credit card there will be an (أماني للسياحة) the check payable to Amani Tours additional charge of 3%. Amani Tours is pinned in Google maps. They are located in Sweifieh and their opening hours are from 09:00 to 17:00 Sun to Wed. and 09:00 to 15:00 Thu and Sat. They are closed on Friday. Please contact Karim Mubarak (Email: [email protected]) or Basem Mubarak for any other information. Basem’s number is 0777 520506.  Jordanians require a Schengen visa

As you can see, while we will have an air-conditioned coach, there is a fair amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, and while we encourage you to pack lightly (Ryan Air is very fussy about weight) be prepared for both warm and cool weather. The temperature near the ocean can drop at night, and a sweater or light jacket is always a good idea. Leave room in your bag for souvenirs! A personal water bottle is also a handy addition, weighs nothing in the suitcase but can be very useful. Obviously if you take medications or have special needs, be sure and bring them and alert us in advance.

Be aware that the itinerary can be modified if there is bad weather, if there are closures in tourist sites, bad traffic or if other opportunities arise during the trip. Being flexible opens us to sometimes wonderful surprises and unexpected adventures.