FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND

Transcription

1 FRANCISCAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND November 24 December 3, 2018

2 I T I N E R A R Y We hope this itinerary provides pilgrims with a preview of our journey in the footsteps of Jesus. Our busy schedule is designed to make the best possible use of our precious time visiting the shrines of the Holy Land, as you walk, pray and find a deeper understanding of your Catholic faith. Day 1 Saturday, Nov. 24: Depart USA We will depart from the United States today for our overnight connecting flight to the city of Tel Aviv located on the Mediterranean Coast. Day 2 Sunday, Nov. 25: Arrive Tel Aviv / Netanya Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, we meet our Franciscan spiritual director who will be our guide as we step into the pages of the Bible and see the Scriptures come to life. His expertise and dedication is rooted in his Franciscan community s centuries old guardianship of the Holy Land shrines. We clear customs and go by motorcoach to our hotel in Netanya, the capital of the Sharon plain area along the Mediterranean Coast. We check in and have dinner together, breaking bread as a group for the first time as we begin our pilgrimage. (D) Day 3 Monday, Nov. 26: Netanya / Tiberias This morning we will drive north to Cana, where Jesus worked his first public miracle, turning the water into wine at the wedding feast. Here we recall the words of Mary to the servants, Do whatever he tells you. Couples can renew their marriage vows in the Franciscan chapel. It s not far to the bustling hillside city of Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus where he grew in wisdom, age and grace before God and men and where he spent most of his life. In Nazareth we pray at one of Christianity s holiest shrines, the Basilica of the Annunciation, whose beautiful dome, designed like an inverted lily, graces the skyline. The walls of the basilica are decorated with images of Mary as a way of honoring her place in salvation history. Here she became the Mother of God when she said let it be me according to your word. God. Directly below the dome is the grotto where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she was to be the Mother of Jesus. Just around the corner is St. Joseph s Church, the traditional home of the Holy Family, the first domestic Church and a model for all Christian families. Nearby, the Synagogue Church commemorates the site of the synagogue where Jesus opened the Scrolls on the Sabbath and read the words from Isaiah, proclaiming himself as the Messiah: The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to give Good News to the poor. After a lunch break we ascend the majestic heights of Mt. Tabor, which, as one pilgrim wrote, Rises up to heaven like an altar that the Creator built to himself. It is the mountain where Jesus took Peter, James and John and was gloriously transfigured in their sight. On the summit, we reflect on this great mystery while visiting the Basilica of the Transfiguration. Afterward we feast our eyes on another spectacular view of the landscape where so many Biblical events took place, stretching from Mt Hermon to the hills of Samaria. Nearby we will visit the small village of Nain to see the Franciscan chapel that marks the site of the Raising of the Widow s Son, the miracle that Jesus worked when he stopped the funeral procession to bring to life a woman s only child. Our busy day ends with a short drive to our hotel in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, one of the four holy Jewish cities and the capital of the Galilee. (B/D) Day 4 Tuesday, Nov. 27: Tiberias This morning we drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes which overlooks the Sea of Galilee. In this scenic setting Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount. An octagonal, dome topped church has eight stained glass windows inscribed with the Eight Beatitudes, an ideal setting to contemplate Our Lord s words of love and hope and charity when he called us to be blessed. Around the shoreline, in an area known as Tabgha (Seven Springs), is the shrine of the Multiplication of the Loaves, a modern church commemorating the miracle when Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes. It has some of the most beautiful mosaics in the Holy Land. Our journey in the footsteps of Jesus continues as we walk into the ruins of Capernaum, where he began his public ministry, preaching and healing many people. In this fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, mentioned more times in the Gospels than any other place except Jerusalem, he made his home and the base of his ministry after leaving Nazareth. We marvel at the remnant of a 4th century AD synagogue, likely set on the same location of the synagogue in which Jesus gave us his Bread of Life Discourse and other profound teachings on the Kingdom of God. We pray at the modern church built over the site of Peter s Home. In the afternoon, we take an unforgettable boat ride across the glorious waters of the Sea of Galilee, in a replica of an ancient wooden fishing boat used in the days of the Apostles. On board, we recall the Scripture passages of Jesus and his Apostles on this lake, when he first called his disciples and calmed the storm and walked on its waters. (B/L/D) Day 5 Wednesday, Nov. 28: Tiberias We begin our day with a return to Tabgha to see the Church of the Primacy of Peter. It is a small stone Franciscan chapel built on a rock at the water s edge to mark the site where the resurrected Jesus appeared to the Apostles and where Peter received his commission from the Risen Christ, who instructed him to feed his flock. A trip north into Upper Galilee brings us to the ancient ruins and imposing cliff of Caesarea Philippi, the ancient Roman city where Jesus revealed his divine mission to his disciples, telling Peter, You are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church. In the afternoon we visit Bethsaida, where Jesus cured a blind man. It is the hometown of Peter, Andrew and Phillip, one of three towns that Jesus condemned for failing to repent. In the afternoon, we travel to Kursi on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the site of the Miracle of the Swine, when Jesus cleansed a demoniac and sent the evil spirits into a herd of swine that ran headlong into the sea and were drowned. We explore the ruins of a Byzantine monastery where pilgrims have come for centuries. (B/D) Day 6 Thursday, Nov. 29: Tiberias / Jerusalem Today we journey south from the Sea of Galilee through the fertile valley of the Jordan River. In Jericho, the world s oldest known city, we recall momentous events from the Old Testament and the Gospels. Here is where Joshua blew the trumpet and the walls fell down as the Israelites conquered this Canaanite city. We stop at a sycamore tree to help us recall the Gospel story of how Jesus inspired the tax collector Zacchaeus to repent his dishonest deeds. In Jericho, we view the Mt. of Temptation, where the Devil tried to tempt Jesus during his 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Not far from Jericho, we follow the path of pilgrims from centuries past who have come to the bank of the Jordan River to recall Our Lord's Baptism by St. John. Here we will renew our Baptismal Promises. On

3 our way to Jerusalem we will stop at Bethany, home of Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus, to go down into the Tomb of Lazarus where Jesus raised his beloved friend from the dead with the command, Lazarus, Come out! We end our busy day in Jerusalem, the Holy City, where we check in at our hotel. (B/L/D) Day 7 Friday, Nov. 30: Jerusalem Just a few miles south of Jerusalem is Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus. We begin our visit with a peaceful morning at Shepherds Field to remember the angels song of glad tidings to the shepherds, Glory to God in the Highest. In Bethlehem, we go to pray at the oldest Christian church in the Holy Land, built above the cave where Jesus was born. In the Holy Grotto of the Nativity, we kneel and reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation. We light candles at the Manger and marvel at the Grotto of St. Jerome, where the 4th century saint and scholar produced his Latin translation of the Bible, known as the Vulgate. Nearby is the Franciscan Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the scene of Bethlehem s famous Christmas Midnight Mass, celebrated by the Latin Patriarch and televised every year throughout the world. In the afternoon we head for the hill country outside Jerusalem to Ein Kerem, a lovely village with the quiet, bucolic setting of a retreat. We make our way through the streets to the Church of St. John the Baptist, with its spire dominating the skyline, marking the birthplace of the Precursor of the Lord. Then we make our way to the Church of the Visitation, where Mary went to see Elizabeth, who recognized that her cousin had been chosen to be the mother of Our Savior, inspiring Mary to sing her exquisite hymn of praise, The Magnificat, in gratitude to God. A courtyard has beautiful plaques with Mary s words translated into many languages. (B/L/D) Day 8 Saturday, Dec. 1: Jerusalem We start our day on the summit of the Mt. of Olives, the ridgetop overlooking Jerusalem that separates the Holy City from the Judean desert. We visit the Chapel of the Ascension, where Jesus ascended into heaven and the Church of Pater Noster, where he taught his disciples how to pray. We read the plaques with the words to the Our Father prayer in more than 80 languages from around the world. Walking the Palm Sunday Road, we will next visit the chapel of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over the city that kills the prophets. We pause to savor a panoramic view of Jerusalem, the place of the death on the Cross and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the ultimate destination for every Christian pilgrim. Down the road is the Basilica of the Agony and Garden of Gethsemane, with its ancient olive trees where Jesus prayed on the night of his betrayal, which we recall in our own prayers at the Basilica of the Agony. Nearby is the Grotto of the Judas Betrayal and Mary s Tomb, the site of Mary s Assumption. In the afternoon, we head to Kalia Beach on the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on Earth, for an opportunity to don swimsuits and float on its mineral rich water. Tonight we enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B/L/D) Day 9 Sunday, Dec. 2: Jerusalem It is now time to go into the Holy City like pilgrims before us from ancient times, to fulfill the words of the Psalmist, I was glad when they said unto me: Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. This morning we enter the Old City at St. Stephen s Gate where our first stop is at the Church of St. Anne, the birthplace of our Blessed Lady, and nearby, the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man. Next, we make the Way of the Cross, carrying a wooden cross in a solemn procession along the bustling street and among the markets and shops as Jesus did on his journey to Calvary following the Via Dolorosa. We begin our devotional procession at the Church of the Flagellation, where Jesus was scourged by the Roman soldiers. The Via Dolorosa culminates at the holiest of all the shrines in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the sites of the Crucifixion of Jesus on Golgotha and the Sacred Tomb of Jesus where he was resurrected and where we will complete our devotions. In the afternoon, we touch the ancient sacred stones of the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, where prayers are offered up at these remaining holy stones of the glorious second temple compound. We view from a distance the Temple Mount, home to the Muslim shrine of the Dome of the Rock, famous for its golden cupola, erected over the exposed rock of Mount Moriah where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. We drive along the walls of the Old City to Mt. Zion, the traditional site of the Upper Room. Here we remember the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist, and the scene of a post Resurrection appearance, and where on Pentecost, the Apostles and Mary were gathered in prayer and the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. Nearby we visit the German Benedictine Dormition Abbey Church where Mary fell into eternal sleep. We end our busy day with a visit to the majestic Catholic church on the slopes of Mt. Zion, St. Peter in Gallicantu ( cock crow in Latin), which marks the site of Peter s denial of Christ. (B/D) Day 10 Monday, Dec. 3: Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / USA We drive to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for our early morning flight to the U.S. arriving home this same day. P I L G R I M A G E C O S T $3, per person/double occupancy For single occupancy please add $ This price includes: a Roundtrip airfare from New York JFK a Airline taxes/fuel surcharges as currently levied a Accommodation for 8 nights in 4 star hotels a All hotel taxes a Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) a Land transportation by deluxe motorcoach a All transfers and baggage handling at hotels a Comprehensive sightseeing with all entrance fees a Daily Mass Airfares from other departure cities throughout the United States are available upon request. For those who prefer to arrange their own flights the Land Only cost is $2, per person. Please visit for information on additional pilgrimages being organized by the Franciscan Monastery.

4 Reservations and Payment: Please complete the attached Reservation Application and return it with your deposit of $ per person at the time of booking. Final payment is due 65 days prior to departure. Cancellations: All cancellations must be in writing. The following per person cancellation charges will apply: If canceled 91 days or more prior to departure, a $50.00 administrative fee will be charged. If canceled days prior to departure, $ will be charged. If canceled days prior to departure, $ will be charged. If canceled 30 7 days prior to departure $ will be charged. No refunds will be made within 6 days of departure. In addition, once the airline tickets have been issued, 100% of the airfare is non refundable unless you have been advised otherwise at the time of your booking. Additional cancellation charges may apply depending upon the cancellation terms of our suppliers. 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The maximum amount which may be paid by the TCRC to any one passenger is the total amount paid on behalf of the passenger to the Seller of Travel, not to exceed $15,000. A claim must be submitted to the TCRC within six months after the scheduled completion date of the travel. A claim must include sufficient information and documentation to prove your claim and a $35 processing fee. You must agree to waive your right to other civil remedies against a registered participating Seller of Travel for matters arising out of a sale for which you file a claim with the TCRC, if you were located in California at the time of the sale. You may request a claim form by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA ; or by faxing a request to Travel Documents: A passport which is valid for a minimum of 6 months past the date of your return flight home is required of all U.S. citizens. Visas are not required for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please call to determine your visa requirement status. George s International Tours is not responsible for individual visas or passports. Tour Cost: All quoted prices are based upon airfares, tariffs and currency exchange rates at the time of printing and are subject to change at any time. Should the minimum number of 20 tour members not be reached, the right is reserved to increase the tour cost accordingly. Tour Documents and Tickets: Final tour documents are mailed, provided we have received full payment, within 3 weeks of departure. Baggage: Each passenger is allowed one checked bag and one carry on. You will be responsible for paying to the airline any additional charges for additional checked baggage or overweight baggage (if excess weight is permitted). George s International Tours is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen baggage. Air Transportation: Air travel is in economy class on Lufthansa (or any other IATA carrier). 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George s International Tours CST# For further information on this pilgrimage please contact: Holy Land Franciscan Pilgrimages Attn: Maureen Shepherd Phone: info@holylandpilgrimages.org or Fr. David Wathen, O.F.M. Director, Holy Land Franciscan Pilgrimages dwfm1400@hotmail.com

5 RESERVATION APPLICATION Franciscan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (November 24 December 3, 2018) Group Reference Number: A PERSONAL INFORMATION (Please complete one application per person) Name (as printed on your passport): First Name: Middle Name: Last Name: Name (as you wish it to appear on your name badge): Passport number: Male 9 Female 9 Passport date of issue: Country of citizenship: Passport date of expiration: Date of birth: Street address: City: State: Zipcode: Home phone: Mobile phone: Work phone: address: ROOM ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION Please check one: Double occupancy 9 Single occupancy ($ additional) 9 If choosing double occupancy, please indicate the name of your roommate if known at the time of booking: If choosing single occupancy, would be willing to share a room with another person? Yes 9 No 9 EMERGENCY CONTACT Please list the name, relationship and phone number for a family member/close friend who is NOT traveling with you: Please enclose a deposit of $ per person made payable to George s International Tours and mail to: George s International Tours 9265 Dowdy Drive, Suite 232 San Diego, CA Dowdy Drive, Suite 232 San Diego, California (800) (858) FAX (858) sales@georgesintl.com CST #