THE BEATIFICATION OF JOHN PAUL II EASTER IN THE HOLY LAND & ROME PILGRIMAGE I T I N E R A R Y - J P H 0 1 Group Leader: Fr Donal McIlraith SSC DAY 1: SATURDAY APRIL 16 - DEPART FOR THE HOLY LAND DAY 2: SUNDAY APRIL 17 - ARRIVE AMMAN - DEAD SEA This morning we will fly into Amman and immediately travel west to the Dead Sea to check-in to our beautiful hotel located down on the shore. Here we will unwind and take the optional opportunities to float in the salty waters said to have healing qualities. The experience is quite unique! Dead Sea overnight (BD) DAY 3: MONDAY APRIL 18 - VIA JERASH TO THE HOLY LAND Our pilgrimage begins this morning with a visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, one of the most recent archaeological and religious discoveries. The five springs here form a tributary of the Jordan River and believed to be the Baptismal site of Jesus by John the Baptist. So authentic is this site that Pope Benedict XVI chose this as an essential place to visit on his last pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Then head north to Jerash, once one of the busiest Roman towns and now the best preserved Graeco/Roman Town in Jordan. In Jerash we will visit the Street of Columns, Temple of Artemis and the Arch of Hadrian. Continue west this afternoon to cross the Jordan River border into the Holy Land of Israel known as the land of the fifth Gospel. Journey on to Tiberias on the shores of Lake Galilee Go to Galilee and you will find him there (Mt 28:7). Sea of Galilee overnight (BD) DAY 4: TUESDAY APRIL 19 - MT. TABOR / NAZARETH / CANA Travel out this morning and ascend the narrow road leading to the majestic summit of Mt Tabor where Our Lord s divinity shone forth in the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1-2). After a memorable Mass in this breathtaking setting we will better understand Peter s words Lord it is good for us to be here. Continue on to Nain, where we relive the story of the dead son whom Jesus healed and gave back to his mother (Lk 7:15).
We soon come to Nazareth, the town of Jesus childhood. Visit nearby Nazareth Village, a recreation of the town and village life of Nazareth as in the days of Jesus. Here enjoy a traditional meal and take a parable walk back in time along the path which brings to life the environment and atmosphere which shaped Jesus early years and ministry. A special highlight today will be a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation where a traditional cave becomes the focal point of Mary s response Let it be done to me according to thy word (Luke 1:38). Also see the Church of St Joseph. Finally today visit the village of Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle transforming the water into wine at the wedding feast (Jn 2:1-11). Here, married couples will have an opportunity to renew their wedding vows, and single and widowed pilgrims will receive a special blessing. Sea of Galilee overnight (BLD) DAY 5: WEDNESDAY APRIL 20 - SEA OF GALILEE Our memorable Galilee day begins with a visit to Nof Ginosaur Kibbutz within which is preserved the remains of a first century fishing boat as in the days of Christ. Passing Sowers Bay we reflect on the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-9) before a brief stop at Migdal, the town of Mary Magdalene. Journey on to Capernaum, the centre of Jesus teaching and healing and home to Peter the apostle (Mt 4:12-20). After exploring this site, we set off from the shore in a traditional sailing vessel to encounter one of our most memorable pilgrimage highlights a Private Mass floating in the centre of Lake Galilee with engines switched off. Here we will recall the miracles of Jesus calming the storm and appearing to the apostles walking on this very water. After communion, we will continue back to the shore for our special St Peter s fish lunch. We drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes as we take time in this special place to ponder Jesus message of happiness the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1-12). Return by road around the lake to Korazin to relive the parables of the House built on the rock and the persevering widow. Onwards to the Church of the Primacy of Peter where Jesus challenged Peter and each one of us Do you really love me, feed my sheep. Finally we arrive at Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mt 14:20) where we will spend some quiet time to reflect and pray by the shore of the lake. Sea of Galilee overnight (BLD) DAY 6: THURSDAY APRIL 21 (HOLY THURSDAY) - VIA MT CARMEL & CAESAREA TO THE EASTER CEREMONIES IN JERUSALEM Departing Lake Galilee, we travel due west to Mount Carmel at Muhraqa overlooking the beautiful Jezreel Valley. [Elijah went to the top of Carmel after confronting the priests of Baal in a contest of faith between his God and theirs]. Here we will visit the Carmelite Monastery which stands on the site of the early church. Continue on to Megiddo, the great biblical location of many decisive battles in ancient times and the actual site of Armageddon (Rev 16:16). Further on we will come to the crusader port city of Caesarea to see the maritime city built by Herod the Great and once the Roman capital of Israel. It was here the centurion Cornelius was baptized by Peter, becoming the first gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10), and where Festus tried Paul (Acts 25: 6-12). Visit the impressive excavations, the amphitheatre and the Herodian port.
Finally today we continue to Jerusalem the City of our God. On arrival, after checking into our hotel, we may have an opportunity to attend Holy Mass of the Last Supper, held at Ecce Homo in the Old City, scheduled for 5pm. We return to our hotel for dinner before continuing on (leaving at 7.30 pm) to the Holy Hour at Gethsemane which starts at 8.30pm. DAY 7: FRIDAY APRIL 22 - GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSIONS & MOUNT ZION We start the day at 7am with our own private Good Friday Procession along the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa. We return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we proceed to Mt Zion to visit the Cenacle, room of the Last Supper and the Church of Dormition where Our Lady was assumed into heaven. In the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu we will commemorate Peter s denial of Jesus after His arrest, before visiting King David s tomb. This afternoon and evening we may have an opportunity to attend the Good Friday ceremonies. Ecce Homo: Liturgy of the Lithostrotos at 3pm, the Holy Sepulchre Service at 4pm and the Funeral Procession in the Holy Sepulchre at 20.10. DAY 8: SATURDAY APRIL 23 (HOLY SATURDAY) MT OF OLIVES, EIN KAREM We will proceed to the Mt of Olives this morning where we will firstly visit the Church of the Pater Noster commemorating the site where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord s prayer (Mt 6:7-15). We then enjoy a panoramic view over the city as we wander past the tombs of the Prophets Haggai, Malachi and Zechariah before arriving at Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Lk19:41-44). We then visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where we will enter the Church of the Agony containing the bare rock upon which Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. We continue on to an orientation viewing of the Second Temple scale model of Jerusalem as it was in the time of Jesus. Then proceed to the Shrine of the Book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls with our own eyes. We end our day of pilgrimage in Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist and site of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord (Lk 1:43). Pilgrims may choose to pray a mystery of the Rosary here as we walk up to this church commemorating The Magnificat. Optional - at 11.30 pm we can join the Holy Sepulchre Pontifical Celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours at the altar of St. Magdalene, with the Custos of the Holy Land officiating. (This is a beautiful ceremony, only half an hour long.)
DAY 9: SUNDAY APRIL 24 - EASTER SUNDAY HIGH MASS AT HOLY SEPULCHRE, BETHLEHEM At 10 am we join the Entrance of the Latin Patriarch to the Holy Sepulchre Church and attend Pontifical Mass and Solemn Procession in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the afternoon, we travel on to Shepherd s Field to commemorate the appearance of the angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. Continue to Bethlehem where we will visit the Church of the Nativity built over the stable where Jesus was born; the Grotto of the Holy Manger. [While in Bethlehem, you will have an opportunity to shop for holy keepsakes, olive wood crosses and figures, gold and silver Jerusalem crosses, crucifixes, rosaries, etc in a Christian souvenir shop, supporting local Christian communities.] DAY 10: MONDAY APRIL 25 (EASTER MONDAY) - JERICHO, MOUNT TEMPTATION, MASADA & BETHANY Today we travel along the Jericho Road as we remember the parable of the Good Samaritan and journey through desert hills and dry rocky landscape. Soon our coach will pass through the site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherd boy. We continue south passing the Dead Sea to the historical Masada where, on arrival, we will embark on the cable car offering spectacular scenery to the summit. Here we will enjoy a guided tour of Herod s fortress and the Zealot s last stand. Travel back to Jericho the City of Palms which is said to be the oldest inhabited city and most famous oasis. Across the valley we ascend by cable car to the Mt of Temptation, the site of Jesus fast of 40 days and there are enough stones to illustrate Satan s words If you are the son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves. Here on Mt Temptation we will enjoy a traditional Palestinian meal. Finally today, we relive the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany and descend the dark stairs to his tomb. Time for Mass. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. DAY 11: TUESDAY APRIL 26 - OLD CITY After breakfast we travel to the Temple Mount to view the Dome of the Rock, El Aqsa Mosque and the Wailing Wall. Then we come to the Church of St Anne, built over the birthplace of the Virgin Mary and the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the paralysed man (Jn 5:2-9). Mass at the Church of St. Anne. We continue onto Ecce Homo convent where we view the Lithostrotos and the Pavement and visit the Flagellation and Condemnation Chapels and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Later this afternoon we can either have free time or take an opportunity to visit the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame Jerusalem Centre to experience the unique and very special presentation of the Shroud of Turin. In the evening, we will enjoy a special dinner.
DAY 12: WEDNESDAY APRIL 27 FLY TO ROME This morning we are transferred to Tel Aviv airport for our connecting flight to Rome for the culmination of our pilgrimage the Beatification of John Paul II. Rome Orientation After our arrival at Rome s Leonardo da Vinci airport, we will be met by our tour representative and join our coach for an orientation tour of the Eternal City (time permitting). This will be a perfect way to orientate ourselves as our guide takes us on a journey which will include our first glimpses of the Vatican and St Peter s Basilica. See the Colosseum, Constantine s Arch, the Forum and Circus Maximus among other rich historical highlights. Rome overnight (D) DAY 13: THURSDAY APRIL 28 Vatican Museums, St Peter s Basilica & St Paul Outside the Walls Our coach and professional guide will transfer us to the amazing Vatican Museums this morning as we enter and wander through the impressive chambers leading up to the breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Here we will view Michelangelo s masterpieces including his ceiling fresco of the Last Judgment. From here we are given special access into St Peter s Basilica, the largest church in the world and one of the most beautiful. Our guided tour will feature among other highlights Michelangelo s moving Pieta, the tomb of Pope John Paul II, the great Confessional and the Crypt containing the tombs of several Popes. As we exit the Basilica we will look out and into the great St Peter s Square, soon to become our focus on the approaching day of Beatification. Continue our Christian Rome pilgrimage this afternoon as we travel out to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls and give honour to the Church s greatest evangelist. Here we will celebrate our group Mass. Journey on then to the ancient Catacombs for a memorable guided tour. Marvel at these underground burial tunnels for Christians and Hebrews. DAY 14: FRIDAY APRIL 29 Assisi Day Tour (Or optional free day in Rome) We set out early today journeying north into stunning Umbrian countryside to the pilgrimage centre of Assisi, where St Francis tended the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan Order. Pope John Paul II came here in 1986 where at a gathering of leaders from Christian churches, Ecclesial Communities and World Religions he convoked the first World Day of Prayer for Peace. For the first time in history, we have come together from every where, Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities, and World Religions, in this sacred place dedicated to Saint Francis, to witness before the world, each according to his own conviction, about the transcendent quality of peace. On first arrival in this medieval hillside town we pass through the city walls and come to the Basilica of St Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St Francis. This Basilica which
was begun in 1228 is built on the side of a hill and comprises an Upper and Lower church. These are decorated with numerous frescoes by late medieval painters including Giotto. After time for lunch we begin our guided pilgrimage of the town s highlights featuring the Church of St Clare, where we kneel before the famous crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St Francis; the little Church of San Damiano built on the site where St Francis heard the voice of Christ go rebuild my Church, which you see is falling down. Before departing Assisi we come to the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we will see the Portiuncola, the thornless rose bush, the cave where the saint returned for prayer and the Chapel where he died in 1226. Return to Rome for dinner. DAY 15: SATURDAY APRIL 30 Morning Christian Rome Tour This morning we rejoin the coach and continue our pilgrim s discovery of Rome firstly coming to the Basilica of St John Lateran (the Cathedral of Rome) being one of Rome s four major Basilicas. Onwards to the adjacent Holy Stairs brought from Jerusalem to Rome in 326AD by St Helena. Nearby we visit the Basilica of the Santa Croce housing fragments of the Holy Cross and other extraordinary collections from the Holy Land. We will also visit the impressive St. Mary Major Basilica, the largest of the 26 churches in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Afternoon at leisure. Strolling through the streets is like walking through the pages of a history book. Marvel at the Pantheon or visit the Church of St Ignatius with its amazing ceiling painted to look like a dome. Indulge in a gelato or sip coffee the Italian way, standing in a café. Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain or window shop along the Via Condotti. This evening we have the opportunity to join with pilgrims from all around the world at a prayer vigil on the eve of the Beatification of John Paul II at Circus Maximus. DAY 16: SUNDAY MAY 1 THE BEATIFICATION CEREMONY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II (ST PETER S SQUARE) - With His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Arise early this morning as we are transferred to St Peter s Square for the Beatification of Pope John Paul II, being celebrated on the Feast of Divine Mercy, which John Paul himself granted to the Universal Church when he canonised St Faustina on the Feast of Divine Mercy in 2000. This is the moment of grace we would have travelled so far to personally witness with our own eyes and ears. This very man who has urged us on to be the saints of the new millennium comes one step closer to Sainthood! Final afternoon at leisure.
This evening we will dine out at a traditional Trattoria, enjoying the Roman atmosphere! DAY 17: MONDAY MAY 2 Depart Rome for Australia OR Private extension arrangements Depart Rome (B) Meal Code B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner SPECIAL NOTES All details of sightseeing listed and order of daily arrangements must remain subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances, which may arise, or at the discretion of the pilgrimage leadership. This overview is based on the standard pilgrimage departure and return dates. Please refer to your personal flight itinerary for more specific details or amendments pertaining to your travel.