Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus - A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
photos by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. - taken May 16-29, 2011

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DAILY ITINERARY:

MONDAY, MAY 16 – Depart from LOS ANGELES; change planes in Philadelphia

TUESDAY, MAY 17 – Arrive in TEL AVIV; meet our guide (Johnny Asmar)

• Bus transfer to GALILEE – pass by Megiddo, Mount Tabor, Nain, Nazareth, etc.
• Mount of the Beatitudes – arrive at hotel; dinner; Mass in small chapel

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18: Lower Galilee

• Nazareth – Mary's Well; Church of St. Joseph; Basilica of the Annunciation (Mass); lunch (sandwiches next to souvenir shop)
• Zippori/Sepphoris – ancient Herodian capital of Galilee; ruins of Roman amphitheater, mosaics, cardo
• Cana – Franciscan chapel (renewal of wedding vows); wine tasting
• Dinner at “Holy Land” restaurant (back in Nazareth)

THURSDAY, MAY 19: Sea of Galilee & Jordan River

• Mount of the Beatitudes – Church of the Beatitudes (outdoor Mass)
• Nof Ginosar Kibbutz – ancient boat museum; boat ride on Sea of Galilee; lunch (museum restaurant)
• Hamat Tiberias – archaeological remains of ancient hot springs, mosaics
• Yardenit – Jordan River (renewal of baptismal promises)
• Magdala – brief stop at site overlooking the ancient village
• Dinner at fish restaurant (name?)

FRIDAY, MAY 20: Around the Sea of Galilee

• Capernaum/Capharnaum – Church over Peter’s house (Mass); ancient synagogue
• Bethsaida – archaeological remains; city of Philip, Simon, and Andrew
• Chorazin (omitted)
• Tabgha – lunch at Pilgerhaus Tabgha (German Federation for the Holy Land)
• Kursi – ruins of Byzantine monastery; site of exorcism of Gerasene demoniac
• Dinner at Mount of Beatitudes hotel

SATURDAY, MAY 21: Sea of Galilee & Upper Galilee

• Tabgha – Church of the Loaves and the Fishes (Byzantine mosaics); Church of Peter’s Primacy (outdoor Mass)
• Lunch at “St. Peter’s Restaurant” – and swimming in the lake
• Banias/Caesarea Philippi – headwaters of Jordan River; ancient pagan shrines
• Banias/River Gorge – hike down to canyon and waterfall
• Dinner at Mount of Beatitudes hotel

SUNDAY, MAY 22: GALILEE to JERUSALEM

• Mount Tabor – taxi to top of Mount of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mass in Basilica)
• Pass through Daburiyya (town of Deborah)
• Jordan River Valley – drive south along border dividing Israel & Jordan; lunch at roadside station near Jericho
• Ascend hills toward Jerusalem; pass Inn of the Samaritan
• Bethlehem Souvenir Center – shopping!
• Jerusalem – Arrive at Gloria Hotel; check-in, dinner

MONDAY, MAY 23: Environs of Jerusalem: Bethlehem & Ein Karem

• Bethlehem University – tour campus & chapel; watch video; meet with students
• Bethlehem – Church of the Nativity (Mass in St. Jerome Chapel); lunch & dancing; brief shopping in Manger Square
• Shepherds’ Field (omitted)
• Ein Karem – Church of John the Baptist (birthplace?); home of Elizabeth and Zechariah (Benedictus in many languages)
• Ein Karem – Church of the Visitation (Magnificat in many languages)
• Dinner at Gloria Hotel

TUESDAY, MAY 24: East of Jerusalem: Qumran & Jericho & Bethany

• Qumran – ruins of Essene Monastery; site of discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls
• Dead Sea – swimming in the lowest spot and saltiest water on earth!
• Jericho – Sycamore tree of Zacchaeus; lunch in “Temptation Restaurant”
• Jericho/Tell es-Sultan – ruins of world’s oldest walled city
• Bethany – home of Martha, Mary, Lazarus (Mass in Crusader Chapel); Lazarus' Tomb
• Dinner at Gloria Hotel
• Night walk to Western Wall (optional)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25: Old City of Jerusalem

• Western Wall – prayer at the remains of the ancient Jewish Temple complex
• Temple Mount – passed by Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock
• Church of St. Anne (sang inside; birthplace of Mary?) & Pool of Bethesda (site of healing of John 5)
• Shrine at Ecce Homo Arch – “Behold the Man” (crowning of thorns; Mass in Main Chapel)
• Lunch at Diamond Factory Outlet (near American Embassy)
• Israel Museum / Shrine of the Book – scale model of ancient Jerusalem; exhibition of Dead Sea Scrolls
• Dinner at Gloria Hotel

THURSDAY, MAY 26: Jerusalem: Mount of Olives & Mount Zion

• Mount of Olives – bus to top; walk down Palm Sunday road
• Dominus Flevit Chapel – “Lord wept” over Jerusalem (Mass in Church)
• Garden of Gethsemane – ancient olive trees; Church of All Nations
• Mt. Zion – Church of the Dormition of Our Lady; Upper Room (traditional site); King David's Tomb
• Mt. Zion – St. Peter in Galicantu; Palace of Caiaphas; Holy Steps
• Lunch on your own; afternoon free; early dinner at Gloria Hotel
• Rampart Walk (optional)
• Garden of Gethsemane – evening Holy Hour inside the Church of All Nations

FRIDAY, MAY 27: Jerusalem: Old City

• Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) – Bus to Herod’s Gate; walk to Antonia Palace to begin Stations
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Calvary and Tomb of Jesus (Mass in Crucifixion Chapel)
• Return to Gloria Hotel for late breakfast; lunch and remainder of day on your own
• Yad VaShem – optional excursion to Holocaust Memorial
• Old City of Jerusalem – free time for extra touring and shopping
• Farewell Dinner at Ambassador Hotel

SATURDAY, MAY 28: JERUSALEM to TEL AVIV

• Checkout of Gloria Hotel; depart from Jerusalem
• Emmaus – risen Jesus appears to two disciples (Mass in Convent Chapel)
• Lunch at McDonalds!
• Caesarea Maritimae – ruins of ancient Roman theatre, palace, harbor; aqueduct
• Joppa – Church of St. Peter; site of home of Simon the Tanner
• Final Dinner overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
• Tel Aviv – flight check-in and departure

SUNDAY, MAY 29: Return to USA

MORE PHOTOS of our PILGRIM GROUP