10-Day Holy Land Pilgrimage with Fr. Hank Lyon of St. Emily Parish | Nov. 6, 2024
Join Fr. Hank Lyon of St. Emily Parish on a 10-day Holy Land Pilgrimage, starting at $4,096* from Chicago, on November 6, 2024. You will see Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Field, Bethany, Ein Karem, the Church of St. John, Qasr el Yahud, Wadi Qelt gorge, the Monastery of St. George, Jericho, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Qumran, the Dead Sea, the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, Nazareth, the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mount Precipice, Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, the Church of the Beatitudes, Tabgha, the Church of the Loaves and Fish, Chapel of the Primacy, Magdala, and much more!
Celebrate Mass Daily when a Priest Travels
What's Included
- All Inclusive Pricing
- First Class Hotels
- Breakfast and Dinner Daily
- Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
- Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
- Entrance and Program Fees
- Live Audio Headsets
- Guided Tours
- International Airfare from NY
- Overseas Airport Transfers
- Study Guide
- Domestic Airfare
- Gratuities
- Hotel Gratuities
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Nov. 6 - USA TO THE HOLY LAND
Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.
Day 2 Nov. 7 - WELCOME TO THE HOLY LAND
You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your Bethlehem hotel. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.
Day 3 NOVEMBER 8 - BETHLEHEM, BETHANY & EIN KAREM
In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace, which now resides in the world’s oldest functioning church (Luke 2:1-7). Celebrate Mass in Bethlehem and then gaze out over Shepherds’ Field, where the angels first proclaimed the Good News. Visit Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Here, Jesus visited on several occasions and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Travel to Ein Karem, the village where John the Baptist was born and the Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth prior to our Lord’s birth (Luke 1:26-40). Visit the Church of St. John, the birthplace of John the Baptist.
Day 4 NOVEMBER 9 - QASR EL YAHUD, WADI QELT, JERICHO, QUMRAN & DEAD SEA
Visit and renew your baptismal vows at the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Just off the Roman road that Jesus “walked” is the Wadi Qelt gorge, the site of the Monastery of St. George. Journey to Jericho (considered the oldest city in the world) to visit the ruins of the ancient city conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:1). From Jericho, in the distance, you can see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1). Celebrate Mass in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Jericho near a sycamore tree and remember Zacchaeus, who climbed a sycamore to see Jesus (Luke 18-19). Travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. End your day with the opportunity to take a dip in the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.
Day 5 NOVEMBER 10 - CANA, NAZARETH & MOUNT PRECIPICE
Visit the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, where He changed water into wine (John 2). Continue on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23), and celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation. You will also see the House of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s Workshop and St. Joseph’s Church (Luke 2:41-52; Matt. 2:19-23). Stand atop Mount Precipice, where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger, they “led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29).
Day 6 NOVEMBER 11 - THE GALILEE
Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23). Sail across the Sea of Galilee, reflecting on the gospel stories of Jesus calming the storm. Listen to Jesus’ words from His Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7) and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes. At Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the 5,000, explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9:10-17). Take a moment to reflect and pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.
Day 7 NOVEMBER 12 - MOUNT TABOR, MOUNT CARMEL & EMMAUS
As you stand on Mount Tabor, contemplate what it must have been like for Saints Peter, James and John to behold the glory of the Transfigured Christ (Matt. 17:2). Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration. Continue on your journey to Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Biblically, Mount Carmel is referenced most often as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). In Emmaus, you’ll see the traditional site where Jesus appeared to two disciples after His resurrection.
Day 8 NOVEMBER 13 - JERUSALEM
Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Jerusalem (“the Golden City”) as you stand on the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12). Visit the Church of Pater Noster, walk the Palm Sunday Road, stopping briefly at the tear shaped Dominus Flevit Church, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Celebrate Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before His crucifixion (Matt. 26:36-44). On Mount Zion, see the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was imprisoned the night of His arrest (Matt. 26:57- 65). Nearby is the Upper Room, revered as the location of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Conclude your day by visiting the Church of the Dormition of Mary.
Day 9 NOVEMBER 14 - JERUSALEM & THE OLD CITY
Take time to pray at the Western Wall, which is all that remains of Herod’s Temple. Sit on the Teaching Steps where Jesus once taught. Take a leisurely stroll down the Cardo, the main street of the Old City, where modern shops stand between ancient ones. View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle of healing (John 5:1-31), and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, renowned for its beautiful acoustics. At Herod’s Antonia Fortress, see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 10 NOVEMBER 15 - RETURN TO THE USA
NOVEMBER 15 - RETURN TO THE USA
Enhance Your Journey
Wonders of Petra & the Dead Sea Extension
NOVEMBER 15 - 19, 2024 • $1098*
November 15 – Jerash
This morning, you will journey across the Allenby Bridge on your way to Jerash,
one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza
and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots.
Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row.
Continue to your hotel to check in for dinner and overnight.
November 16 – Petra
Begin your journey south towards Petra today. Explore the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliffsides of rose-colored rock. Return to your hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.
November 17 – Madaba & Mount Nebo
Travel to Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its
sixth-century, Byzantine, mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.
Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land
(Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the
Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Return to your hotel for
dinner and overnight.
November 18 – Free Morning at the Dead Sea
Enjoy a free morning at your hotel. Cross the border back into Israel and enjoy
dinner in Jerusalem. Afterward, you will travel to the airport in Tel Aviv to begin
your journey home.
November 19 – Return to the USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. Taxes, tips & fees for extensions are charged separately.
CAIRO & THE ROUTE OF THE EXODUS
NOVEMBER 15 - 20, 2024 • $1298*
November 15 – Jerusalem to Mount Sinai
Travel the Caravan Route from Jerusalem through the Sinai. Transfer to your hotel
for overnight.
November 16 – Saint Catherine’s Monastery
View Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Stay in Sharm el Sheikh
overnight.
November 17 – Route of the Exodus
Trace the route of the Exodus along the eastern Sinai coast to Wadi Feiran, Elim &
Marah by the Red Sea. Continue to Cairo for dinner and overnight.
November 18 – Memphis, Saqqara, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx
Tour the rural region of traditional Egyptian farming. Travel as Abraham did to
Memphis (Biblical Noph) and on to Saqqara, where you will see the Step Pyramid,
the world’s oldest stone structure. See the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
November 19 - Cairo
Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and tour the Old City and see the Citadel
of Saladin. View the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali and visit the Abu Serga
Church. Prepare for your return flight home.
November 20 - Return to the USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. Taxes, tips & fees for extensions are charged separately.
NILE CRUISE EXTENSION
NOVEMBER 15 - 24, 2024 • $2898*
November 15 – Jerusalem to Mount Sinai
Travel in the footsteps of the Holy family as you travel along the ancient caravan
route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check into your hotel
at Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and rest.
November 16 – Saint Catherine’s Monastery
This morning, you can opt to climb Mount Sinai, where tradition says that Moses
received the Ten Commandments. Everyone will experience a visit to the fortified
St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries in the world. Both
the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts,
were discovered here. Continue to Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and overnight at your
hotel located on the shores of the Red Sea.
November 17 – Free Day in Sharm el Sheik
Enjoy a free day to relax in your resort by the beach in Sharm el Sheikh.
November 18 – Luxor & Karnak
This morning, fly to Luxor and transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Visit the magnificent,
Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns.
Continue to the Karnak Temple, which was built over 2,000 years ago and is the
largest religious building ever constructed. See the famed Hypostyle Hall, the
Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tutomosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite
Scarabeus, and the Sacred Lake. Dinner and overnight are on board.
November 19 – Valleys of the Kings & Queens & Esna
This morning, enjoy the sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to the Valley of
the Kings. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern
Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon and
the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient
Egypt. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail through the Esna locks. The ship arrives in
Edfu this evening. Dinner and overnight on board..
November 20 – Edfu & Kom Ombo
Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. It is one of the most beautiful
Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic
and Greek architecture. Enjoy a scenic cruise to Kom Ombo and visit the Kom Ombo
Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman
era. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel. Dinner and
overnight on board.
November 21 – Aswan
Cruise to Aswan where you will sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the
temples at Philae including the Temple of Isis. Next, visit the High Dam, one of
the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. View
the Unfinished Obelisk, made of red granites brought from the quarries of Aswan.
Lunch and dinner onboard.
November 22 – Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx
Depart Aswan by flight to Cairo. Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the
unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamun.
Continue for a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
November 23 - Cairo
Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx.
Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin. View the Alabaster Mosque of
Muhammad Ali and visit the Abu Serga Church. Prepare for your return flight home.
November 24 - Return to the USA
Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. Taxes, tips & fees for extensions are charged separately
Departure Dates
-
Wednesday, November 6, 2024From $4096
