The Holy Land 2017: February 2017

Day 3: "This morning, we travel to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. After our visit, we drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle of changing water into wine. We celebrate Mass at Chapel in Cana. Here couples may renew their wedding vows. This afternoon, you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well and the Old Market."

(I Can Only Imagine)

(The Wedding Song)

(Ave Maria)

Day 4: "Traveling along the shores of the Sea of Galilee our tour starts at Capernaum where Jesus lived, and started his ministry. You will see the remnants of Peter’s mother-in law house and the old synagogue where Jesus preached. You will then proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes (the location of Sermon of the Mount) and celebrate Mass. Drive onto Tabgha where the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves took place. Close by, is the Church of Peter’s Primacy the location of the Miraculous Fishing. Here is where Christ told his disciples to cast their net and catch the large quantity of fish. This is also where he proclaimed to Peter 'Upon this Rock I will build my Church'. Then you will take a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee as was done in the time of Jesus."

(Blest Are They)

Day 5: "We drive west to the beautiful City of Haifa and go onto Mt. Carmel where The Carmelites established their monastery 900 years ago. We celebrate Mass at the Church of Stella Maris, 'the Star of the Sea'. Atop a hill, you are captivated by the panoramic view of the City Haifa and the beautiful Baha’i Gardens. We continue our drive south along the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime. This is where St. Peter baptized Cornelius and St. Paul was a prisoner for two years before his transport to Rome and martyrdom. We view the original Roman Aqueduct that brought water to the city and walk in and around the Roman Theater. Take a glimpse of the ancient remains of Herod’s palace sitting in the tranquil blue Mediterranean. We now travel south and climb the hill up towards the Holy City of Jerusalem."

Day 6: "We begin our day with a visit to the Mt. of Olives. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4,000 years of history. We visit the Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples. We walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see The Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Mass will be at the Church of all Nations. This afternoon, we drive to the hill of Mount Zion <http://www.seetheholyland.net/mount-zion/>, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem <http://www.seetheholyland.net/jerusalem/>, it is dominated by the Church of the Dormition. The location is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary died — or 'fell asleep', as the name suggests. End our day at St. Peter in Gallicantu. Where Peter denied Our Lord thrice."

Day 7: "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 to celebrate Mass. At St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne, we stop for a short prayer. We pass the Ecce Home where Pilate proclaimed 'Behold the man'; then on to the [Western]... Wall, the most holy place for Jews. The rest of the day is open for visits to other Holy Sites, shopping or resting at your hotel."

(The Way Of The Cross)

Day 8: "We start our visit in Bethlehem and visit the Shepherd's Fields where the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of the Christ Child. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Mass will be held in Bethlehem at St. Catherine of Alexandra or the Shepherds Field’s Chapel. Enjoy lunch in a local Mediterranean restaurant. After lunch, we take the afternoon to shop in Bethlehem."

(Angels We Have Heard on High)

Day 9: "After breakfast, you will travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth who announced 'Blessed are thou Among Women'. Returning to Jerusalem, view the Model of Jerusalem of the Second Temple Era (Second Temple scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus). Continue to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book."

(Hail Mary - Gentle Woman)

Day 10: "Rise early and journey east into the Southern Judean Desert. We arrive at Masada and ascend by cable up to the top of this fortress strong hold of Herod to catch a glimpse of the sun as it rises over the desert and cast its shadow on its remains. We see the remnants of the fortifications, synagogue, and storehouses. We will visit the excavations of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. On the way back, there is time for a swim in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. Returning towards Jerusalem, on the Eastern slope of the Mount of Olives we will see the home of Mary and Martha and the Tomb of Lazarus where Jesus 'cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth' and Lazarus was risen from the dead."