Annual Legionaries of Christ Seminary HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE Fr Simon Devereux, L.C. Phil Liquori “The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the “Standing in this holy place, and pondering that wondrous event, how can we not be ‘cut to the heart’, like those who first heard Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost? Here Christ died and rose, never to die again. Here the history of humanity was decisively changed. The long reign of sin and death was shattered by the triumph of obedience and life; the wood of the Cross lay bare the truth about good and evil; God’s judgement was passed on this world and the grace of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon humanity. Here Christ, the new Adam, taught us that evil never has the last word, that love is stronger than death, that our future, and the future of all humanity, lies in the hands of a faithful and provident God. The empty tomb speaks to us of hope, the hope that does not disappoint because it is the gift of the Spirit of life. [...] May hope rise up ever anew, by God’s grace, in the hearts of all the people in these lands!” Visit to the Holy Sepulcher Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI Friday, 15 May 2009 Cover picture: Church of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem, Israel Pilgrimage Highlights Christian pilgrimages have been a tradition for centuries. Originally established by St. Helena, they were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. On a pilgrimage we remove ourselves from distractions of daily life to go in search of Him, so that we can encounter Him in a new way. And it also involves the joy of being with other pilgrims with whom we can share this journey. Following the centuries-old tradition of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you will enjoy unforgettable days visiting the most significant places of our faith so you too can experience the spiritual benefits of this journey. Join us! Itinerary [1] Day 1 – Wednesday March 1, 2017 Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you will be met by your local guide and driver and will head to your hotel in Tiberias at 3:30 pm. [2] After check-in you will meet with the group and have a welcome dinner. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias. Day 2 – Thursday March 2, 2017 In the morning, you will visit Mount Tabor from which you will be able to observe the Jezreel Valley. Once there you will visit the Church of Transfiguration. Afterwards, you will head towards the city of Nazareth. En route you will stop in Cana to visit the church where Christ performed his first public miracle of transforming water into wine. Married couples will be able to renew their wedding vows. After lunch in Nazareth, you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well, and the Synagogue. Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Annunciation. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias. Day 3 – Friday March 3, 2017 This morning you will enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee; while onboard, mass will be celebrated. Afterwards, you will head to Capernaum, where Jesus called the first apostles; you’ll visit St. Peter’s Memorial and House, as well as the nearby synagogue. In the afternoon you will visit Tabgha, -site of multiplication of fish and loaves- and the nearby Primacy Church where Jesus confirmed Peter as head of the Church. You will then visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, site of the sermon on the mountain. Mass will be celebrated on the boat. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias. Day 4 – Saturday March 4, 2017 After breakfast and check-out, you will visit the Magdala Center. Onwards, you will visit the Stella Maris Convent and the Grotto of the Prophet Elijah in Haifa. Time permitting, you will visit the ancient Roman port of Caesarea Maritime, its aqueduct and amphitheater before heading to Jerusalem. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Primacy. Dinner and overnight will be at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. Day 5 – Sunday March 5, 2017 This morning you will proceed towards the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Our Lord. Once in Bethlehem you will visit the Basilica of the Nativity, the Chapel of St. Jerome, the Milk Grotto, and in the nearby city of Beit Sahour, you will visit the Shepherds’ Field and its famous grotto where the angel appeared to the local shepherds. In the afternoon you will visit the Church of the Visitation in the village of Ein Karem -where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth- and the nearby Church of St. John the Baptist. Mass will be celebrated at the St. Helen Church. Dinner and overnight will be at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. Day 6 – Monday March 6, 2017 Today you’ll start the day at the Mt. of Olives where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem and get a basic understanding of the geographical locations of the holy sites. On the Mt. of Olives you will visit the site of the Ascension, the Pater Noster, and the Dominus Flevit Chapel, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Then you’ll head on to the Gardens of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon you will visit Mt. Zion and visit the memorial site of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Cenacle (the room of the last supper), and the Dormition Abbey, where the Blessed Virgin slept into eternal in life. Mass will be celebrated at Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Day 7 – Tuesday March 7, 2017 Early in the morning, you’ll celebrate mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After breakfast, you will start the day with a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting from the Temple Area, you will visit the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa Mosque. You will then visit St. Anne’s Church –the birthplace of Our Lady- and the nearby Bethesda’s Pool. Traveling the Via Dolorosa road, you will pass by the Flagellation Church, Ecce Homo, and arrive at the end to the Holy Sepulcher. After lunch you will have a free afternoon to explore Jerusalem at your leisure. Mass will be celebrated at the Holy Sepulcher Church. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Day 8 – Wednesday March 8, 2017 In the morning you will head to the Dead Sea Region. First off, you will stop by Jericho –the oldest city in the world- and view the Mt. of Temptations and the Sycamore Tree. In the early afternoon you will visit Qumran, the site of the Essene Monastery, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1940s. After a tour and explanation video of the site, you will drive south towards Masada where you will visit the fortress palace of Herod the Great and the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots. You will then head to the Dead Sea for some time to swim in the mineral rich water of the Dead Sea. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Mass will be celebrated in the Good Shepherd Church in Jericho. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Day 9 – Thursday March 9, 2017 After breakfast and check-out you will enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure before being transferred to the airport for your return flight home at 8:00 pm. [2] [1] Please note that this program is subject to changes without prior notice to adapt to climate conditions, time limitations, availability or other circumstances. [2] Only one transfer is offered from/to the airport at the time of arrival and departure. If you are making your own flight plans and they deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates and times stated in the itinerary, you will not be able to receive the transfer service. We can request a transfer service at an extra charge. Arrival time on March 1, 2017: 3:30 pm Delta flight 468 NYC - TLV Departure time on March 10, 2017: 12:20 am Delta flight 469 TLV - NYC Accommodation Tiberias Mt. of Beatitudes Guest House – March 1 - 4 (three nights) mp South Golan 12365 Tiberias, ISRAEL Phone: +972 (4) 672.6712 Jerusalem Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center – March 4 – 9, 2017 (five nights) Paratroopers Rd. # 3 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Phone: +972 (2) 627.9111 www.notredamecenter.org Price Price per person in double occupancy: [3] $2,590.00 Single Supplement $665.00 The above rate includes: Eight nights’ accommodation on half-board basis (breakfast & dinner) English speaking guide as per program Deluxe transportation as per your program Tips for guide, bus driver, hotels and restaurants All entrance fees as per your program Porterage fees at all hotels Audio guiding system Daily lunches at local restaurants as per program Farewell dinner at a local restaurant Rate does not include: Any personal expenses such as telephone calls, beverages, laundry, or insurance Anything not mentioned above Airfare [3] Prices are based on 20 participants minimum and on exchange rates known at time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure.