MJV Travel

• Jerusalem     • Bethlehem     • The Galilee    • Nazareth

• Mt. Tabor • Caesarea    • Ein Karem   • Emmaus

• Jericho   • Qumran    • Masada   • Dead Sea

Itinerary:

Day 1 and 2 - USA to the Holy Land

Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight. You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest.

Day 3 - Jericho, Qumran and Bethlehem

Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which wasconquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2,20). From Jericho, view the traditionalsite of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4:1-11). Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes who once lived on the shores of the
Dead Sea. In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18 - 25; Luke 2: 1- 7). Celebrate Mass in St. Catherine Church. View nearby Shepherds’ Fieldwhere the Good News was first heard.

Day 4 - Jerusalem

Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1: 9 - 12). Visit the Church of the Pater Noster. Celebrate Mass in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt.26: 36 - 44). Visit the Tomb of the Virgin Mary. On Mount Zion visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57 - 65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12- 26). Finally conclude your day at the Church of the Dormition of Mary..

Day 5 - Ein Karem and Emmaus

Travel to Ein Karem where Mary visited with Elizabeth prior to our Lord’s birth and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Visitation. Visit the Church of St. John, the birthplace of John the Baptist. Continue to Emmaus, the traditional site of Jesus appearance.

Day 6 - Jerusalem and the Old City

Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31) where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle, and sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1 - 11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross”, and celebrate Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Day 7 - Masada and Dead Sea

Visit Masada, Herod’s mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish Rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting, stop briefly at the Shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.

Day 8 - Caesarea, Mt. Tabor, and Nazareth

Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea, a center of the early Christians. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to the new religion (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for Trial. Ascend Mount Tabor where Jesus was Transfigured before Saints Peter, James and John (Matt 17:2). Visit Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2: 23). Celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation. Visit the House of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s Workshop, and St. Joseph’s Church (Luke 2:41-52; Matt 2:19-23).

Day 9 - The Galilee

Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt.4: 13, 23). With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you’ll learn about the “Ancient Boat”, a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). Celebrate Mass in the Church of the Beatitudes. At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you'll visit the Church of the Fish and the Loaves (Luke 9:10-17). You'll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). At the River Jordan you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site.

Day 10 - Return to USA

Return to USA