DEPART THE USA

Arrive at the Tel Aviv airport and make your way to your hotel in Bethlehem for your six-night stay.

This morning, we visit the Church of the Nativity, the traditional site of the birth of Jesus, the Church of St. Catherine and the Cave of St. Jerome. We walk to the Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady and then by bus down to Shepherds' Field, where the shepherds wondered at the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth. We drive towards Jerusalem and stop on the Mount of Olives to view the Old City and visit the Church of Pater Noster. We will walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane, passing by the Church of Dominus Flevit (The Lord Wept). Visit the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) and then travel to Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John the Baptist before returning to our hotel.

Today, we drive towards the Mediterranean Coast and stop in Caesarea to see the aqueduct. On to Haifa and Mount Carmel to visit the Church of Elijah and then to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, and St. Joseph's Church. On to Cana to visit the Franciscan Church of the Wedding Feast, where Jesus performed His first miracle turning water into wine. In the afternoon, return to our hotel in Bethlehem.

In the morning, we drive to Nablus (ancient Samaria) and view Mount Ebal and Mount Garizim. We stop at Jacob's Well, where Jesus met the Samaritan woman and asked her for water. Return to Bethlehem for last-minute shopping and the rest of the afternoon at leisure to rest and pack. After early dinner, we join Catholics from around the world along with the local Catholic community in the Holy Land to participate in the annual "Lighting of the Christmas Tree" ceremony.

This morning, we drive through the Jordan Valley to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, where we will enjoy a boat ride as Jesus and His Disciples did. Jesus spent much of his ministry along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Then, head to the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum to see the ancient synagogue and the remains of St. Peter's house. Next is Tabgha to see the Church of the Multiplication. Return to our hotel in Bethlehem.

Today, we drive to Bethany to visit the Franciscan Church and the tomb of Lazarus. Continue down to Jericho to view the Mount of Temptation and the ruins of Old Jericho. Continue to the River Jordan, where we can renew our baptismal vows. In the afternoon, we spend time at the shores of the Dead Sea, where we can experience the salty water before returning back to our hotel.

Early in the morning, we walk "Via Dolorosa" (The Way of Sorrows) and stop at the Stations of the Cross until we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where we will celebrate mass at the Tomb of Christ. Then, we return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, we visit the Old City of Jerusalem, the Pools of Bethesda and walk through the narrow streets to the Wailing Wall. Then, we stop on Mount Zion and visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus. Time for shopping before returning to the hotel.

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