Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Arrive in Tel Aviv. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace, which now resides in the world’s oldest functioning church (Matt. 1:18-25). 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. End your day with your baptismal vows at the baptismal site of Qasr al-Yahud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias - Royal Plaza Hotel or Similar

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 to see Jesus (Luke 18-19). Travel to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress, which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. End your day with the opportunity to take a dip in the mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias - Royal Plaza or Similar

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle as 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). We will also visit St. Peter’s church and Mary’s Well. Then, we stop at Jacob’s Well where Jesus met the Samaritan Woman. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem - Olive Tree or Similar

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’s words from His Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7) and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes. In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Take a moment to reflect and pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). We’ll journey to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ” (Matthew 16). You will also visit the ancient remains of Tel Dan and the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25 - 30). Pass through the Golan Heights back to Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem - Olive Tree or Similar

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. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem- Olive Tree or Similar

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, and 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. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem- Olive Tree or Similar

Take time to pray at the Western Wall, 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. Enjoy your last night in Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem - Olive Tree or Similar

Arrive home.