Annual Legionaries of Christ Seminary HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE Fr Simon Devereux, L.C. Phil Liquori The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the
Standing in this holy place, and pondering that wondrous event, how can we not be cut to the heart, like those who first heard Peter s preaching on the day of Pentecost? Here Christ died and rose, never to die again. Here the history of humanity was decisively changed. The long reign of sin and death was shattered by the triumph of obedience and life; the wood of the Cross lay bare the truth about good and evil; God s judgement was passed on this world and the grace of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon humanity. Here Christ, the new Adam, taught us that evil never has the last word, that love is stronger than death, that our future, and the future of all humanity, lies in the hands of a faithful and provident God. The empty tomb speaks to us of hope, the hope that does not disappoint because it is the gift of the Spirit of life. [...] May hope rise up ever anew, by God s grace, in the hearts of all the people in these lands! Visit to the Holy Sepulcher Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI Friday, 15 May 2009 Cover picture: Church of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem, Israel
Pilgrimage Highlights Christian pilgrimages have been a tradition for centuries. Originally established by St. Helena, they were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. On a pilgrimage we remove ourselves from distractions of daily life to go in search of Him, so that we can encounter Him in a new way. And it also involves the joy of being with other pilgrims with whom we can share this journey. Following the centuries-old tradition of making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, you will enjoy unforgettable days visiting the most significant places of our faith so you too can experience the spiritual benefits of this journey. Join us! Itinerary [1] Day 1 Wednesday March 1, 2017 Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you will be met by your local guide and driver and will head to your hotel in Tiberias at 3:30 pm. [2] After check-in you will meet with the group and have a welcome dinner. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias. Day 2 Thursday March 2, 2017 In the morning, you will visit Mount Tabor from which you will be able to observe the Jezreel Valley. Once there you will visit the Church of Transfiguration. Afterwards, you will head towards the city of Nazareth. En route you will stop in Cana to visit the church where Christ performed his first public miracle of transforming water into wine. Married couples will be able to renew their wedding vows. After lunch in Nazareth, you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph s Church, Mary s Well, and the Synagogue. Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of Annunciation. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias. Day 3 Friday March 3, 2017 This morning you will enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee; while onboard, mass will be celebrated. Afterwards, you will head to Capernaum, where Jesus called the first apostles; you ll visit St. Peter s Memorial and House, as well as the nearby synagogue. In the afternoon you will visit Tabgha, -site of multiplication of fish and loaves- and the nearby Primacy Church where Jesus confirmed Peter as head of the Church. You will then visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, site of the sermon on the mountain. Mass will be celebrated on the boat. Dinner and overnight will be at Mt. of Beatitudes Guesthouse in Tiberias.
Day 4 Saturday March 4, 2017 After breakfast and check-out, you will visit the Magdala Center. Onwards, you will visit the Stella Maris Convent and the Grotto of the Prophet Elijah in Haifa. Time permitting, you will visit the ancient Roman port of Caesarea Maritime, its aqueduct and amphitheater before heading to Jerusalem. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of Primacy. Dinner and overnight will be at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. Day 5 Sunday March 5, 2017 This morning you will proceed towards the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Our Lord. Once in Bethlehem you will visit the Basilica of the Nativity, the Chapel of St. Jerome, the Milk Grotto, and in the nearby city of Beit Sahour, you will visit the Shepherds Field and its famous grotto where the angel appeared to the local shepherds. In the afternoon you will visit the Church of the Visitation in the village of Ein Karem -where the Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth- and the nearby Church of St. John the Baptist. Mass will be celebrated at the St. Helen Church. Dinner and overnight will be at the Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem. Day 6 Monday March 6, 2017 Today you ll start the day at the Mt. of Olives where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jerusalem and get a basic understanding of the geographical locations of the holy sites. On the Mt. of Olives you will visit the site of the Ascension, the Pater Noster, and the Dominus Flevit Chapel, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Then you ll head on to the Gardens of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon you will visit Mt. Zion and visit the memorial site of St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Cenacle (the room of the last supper), and the Dormition Abbey, where the Blessed Virgin slept into eternal in life. Mass will be celebrated at Gethsemane. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Day 7 Tuesday March 7, 2017 Early in the morning, you ll celebrate mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After breakfast, you will start the day with a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting from the Temple Area, you will visit the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa Mosque. You will then visit St. Anne s Church the birthplace of Our Lady- and the nearby Bethesda s Pool. Traveling the Via Dolorosa road, you will pass by the Flagellation Church, Ecce Homo, and arrive at the end to the Holy Sepulcher. After lunch you will have a free afternoon to explore Jerusalem at your leisure. Mass will be celebrated at the Holy Sepulcher Church. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. Day 8 Wednesday March 8, 2017 In the morning you will head to the Dead Sea Region. First off, you will stop by Jericho the oldest city in the world- and view the Mt. of Temptations and the Sycamore Tree. In the early afternoon you will visit Qumran, the site of the Essene Monastery, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1940s. After a tour and explanation video of the site, you will drive south towards Masada where you will visit the fortress palace of Herod the Great and the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots. You will then head to the Dead Sea for some time to swim in the mineral rich water of the Dead Sea. In the evening, you will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Mass will be celebrated in the Good Shepherd Church in Jericho. Dinner and overnight will be in the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center.
Day 9 Thursday March 9, 2017 After breakfast and check-out you will enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure before being transferred to the airport for your return flight home at 8:00 pm. [2] [1] Please note that this program is subject to changes without prior notice to adapt to climate conditions, time limitations, availability or other circumstances. [2] Only one transfer is offered from/to the airport at the time of arrival and departure. If you are making your own flight plans and they deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates and times stated in the itinerary, you will not be able to receive the transfer service. We can request a transfer service at an extra charge. Arrival time on March 1, 2017: 3:30 pm Delta flight 468 NYC - TLV Departure time on March 10, 2017: 12:20 am Delta flight 469 TLV - NYC Accommodation Tiberias Mt. of Beatitudes Guest House March 1-4 (three nights) mp South Golan 12365 Tiberias, ISRAEL Phone: +972 (4) 672.6712 Jerusalem Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center March 4 9, 2017 (five nights) Paratroopers Rd. # 3 Jerusalem, ISRAEL Phone: +972 (2) 627.9111 www.notredamecenter.org
Price Price per person in double occupancy: [3] $2,590.00 Single Supplement $665.00 The above rate includes: Eight nights accommodation on half-board basis (breakfast & dinner) English speaking guide as per program Deluxe transportation as per your program Tips for guide, bus driver, hotels and restaurants All entrance fees as per your program Porterage fees at all hotels Audio guiding system Daily lunches at local restaurants as per program Farewell dinner at a local restaurant Rate does not include: Any personal expenses such as telephone calls, beverages, laundry, or insurance Anything not mentioned above Airfare [3] Prices are based on 20 participants minimum and on exchange rates known at time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Any devaluation or revaluation of currencies may affect the published price. Payment Deposit A $500 non-refundable deposit and the complete registration form are due on November 4, 2016. Full payment Balance is due on January 6, 2017. Please send registration form to Minerva Dibildox (minerva@elitetravelct.com) and make checks payable to Elite Travel or call in payment with a credit card.
Terms and Conditions Deposit and Registration A non-refundable deposit of USD $500 per person is required at the time of booking with a completed registration form. By submitting the registration form you are accepting Elite Travel s terms and conditions. Your reservation will be confirmed subject to availability at time of request. The deposit will be applied to the land tour portion only. Payment Final payment is due 60 days prior to the departure date. If a booking is made within 60 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking (pending availability). Form of Payment Credit cards, checks and money orders are accepted forms of payment for the land tour portion of the pilgrimage. Returned checks will incur a USD $100 service fee. Price Guarantee Rates are per person and are based on double or twin occupancy and are as per each program s inclusions show. All prices are shown in U.S. dollars. The advertised price is based on a minimum of 20 participants. Elite Travel reserves the right to alter prices at any time prior to departure and without prior notice if the minimum number of participants is not reached or if circumstances so warrant. Prices are based on exchange rates known at time of publication and expected to be in effect at the time of departure. Any devaluation or revaluation of currencies may affect the published price. Exclusions Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, mini bar, laundry, beverages, room service, and optional activities are not included. These extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant. Insurance, portage at airports, excess baggage fees and passport or visa fees are excluded from the published price as well. Passports, Visas and Documents A valid U.S. passport is required. Passports must be valid at least six months after return date. For all other nationalities please consult the country s consulate. When and if visa is required it is the passenger s responsibility to obtain one. Cancellations due to lack of appropriate documents will incur the usual penalties. Cancellation Once a deposit or full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing (mail, fax or email). Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received. In addition to the $500 per person deposit, the following charges apply if a cancellation is made before departure (per person of total tour price): Time Frame Refund Charges 60-46 days prior to departure 10% 45-30 days prior to departure 50% 30 days - day of departure / no show No refund Additionally, once airplane tickets are issued the ticket value is non-refundable. No changes of names or substitutions are permitted. No refund or cancellation fees will be waived due to death or illness. There are no refunds for unused land services such as transfers, sightseeing, meals, hotel accommodations, entrance fees, or any other unused services included in the itinerary. Travel Insurance Elite Travel strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance offered by Travel Insured International, Inc. Travel insurance is optional and is not included in the tour price. Most cancellation penalties may be avoided by obtaining the Worldwide Trip Protector in addition to the basic travel insurance coverage. Insurance premiums are non-refundable. Hotel Accommodations Hotel accommodations will be provided in accordance with the itinerary or similar. Elite Travel reserves the right to make substitutions with hotels of equal standard. There will be no refunds for any difference in the cost of those accommodations. All rooms are standard twin-bedded rooms with private facilities. Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability. Room selection in all cases, unless otherwise reserved, is strictly at the discretion of the hotel's management on a run-of-house basis. Triple rooms consist of standard twin beds plus a sofa/folding bed or cot for third person. The number of persons accommodated does not dictate the room size. Hotel check-in time is 4:00 p.m. and check-out time is at 10:00 a.m. Roommate Assignments Roommates will be assigned according to the information provided on the registration form. All roommate requirements must be mutual. Elite Travel cannot make roommate assignments for single travelers. Roommate arrangements must be made and agreed upon by the participants prior to registration. Meals Meals offered are specified in each itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel's or restaurant's buffet or set menu. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Tour Itinerary Elite Travel and the suppliers contracted for services reserve the right to modify and/or change the sequence of the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances, safety security and comfort of the passenger.
Airfare Unless otherwise specified, airfare will be quoted separately from the land tour. Immediate payment for airfare may be required in order to ticket and guarantee the fare. Most airline tickets are non- refundable and have penalties for changes once tickets have been issued. Airline tickets are issued with the schedule/itinerary valid at time of ticketing. It is recommended that passengers reconfirm their airline flights at least 72 hours prior to departure in the event of schedule changes. Elite Travel is not liable for missed flights due to schedule changes once airline tickets have been issued. Arrival / Departure Time Only one transfer is offered from/to the airport at the time of arrival and departure. If the passenger is making his/her own flight plans and they deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates and times stated in the itinerary, he/she will not be able to receive the transfer service. The passenger may request a transfer service and the cost will be added to the invoice. Luggage and Personal Property It is the passenger s responsibility to check the specific airline policy of liability for loss, damage or delay of checked baggage as well as the maximum allowance of weight per bag and number of checked or carry-on bags permitted at no cost and additional charges imposed by the airlines for excess baggage. Luggage and personal property loss or damages must be reported to the airline or ground transportation company at the destination. Elite Travel does not accept liability for loss or damage of luggage or personal property. Health Requirements Travelers must be medically and physically fit for this pilgrimage. This tour requires significant walking, as motor coaches are not permitted to pick up and drop off in front of major attractions. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Any special medical conditions or equipment must be advised in writing, for evaluation of feasibility, at the time of making your reservation. Participation Elite Travel and the suppliers contracted for services reserve the right to refuse to accept or retain any person whose behavior is deemed likely to affect the smooth operations of a tour, or adversely affect the enjoyment or safety of other passengers. Elite Travel, its agents, and suppliers shall be under no liability to any such person for refund, compensation, repatriation or any other matters arising. Young Travelers Travelers who are under 21 years old on the departure date must be accompanied by an adult throughout the duration of the trip. Responsibility Elite Travel acts as a booking agent only for the persons or companies providing or offering the means of travel, conveyance, transport, accommodation or other service and all receipts, tickets, vouchers, coupons or exchange orders are issued subject to the terms and conditions under which transport and other services are provided. Elite Travel shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity that may be caused to person or property. Safety Please be aware that during your participation in pilgrimages operated by Elite Travel and it s service providers, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control, including but not limited to: the hazards of traveling in underdeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, motor coach, aircraft or other means of transportation; forces of nature; political unrest; act of lawlessness or terrorism; and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. Elite Travel will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. While Elite Travel will try to ensure that adequate measures are taken, by agreeing to participate in a pilgrimage and/or optional excursions you agree that you will hold Elite Travel harmless regarding any provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care rendered. Elite Travel is not responsible for risks and dangers that may arise beyond its control. Payment of your deposit indicates you accept these risks and dangers and agree to hold Elite Travel harmless for such. 445 W Main Street Cheshire, CT 06410 (203) 271.06.23