Resources for Pilgrims to the Holy Land

compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Upcoming Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: In the Footsteps of Jesus
April 14-28, 2024
[Click above for Itinerary and Registration Form]

The People: Jews, Christians, and Muslims

• Introducing the Three Major "Western Religions"
  • An Overview of Judaism
  • An Overview of Christianity
  • An Overview of Islam
     
• Ethnic/National/Religious Groups in Biblical Times
• Jewish Groups at the Time of Jesus
• Apostles and Disciples of Jesus

The History: Over 4000 Years

• Overview of Israelite and Jewish History
  • The Family of Abraham - the foundational generations
  • The Twelve Tribes of Israel - the growth of a nation
• Covenants, Pillars, and Theologies of Ancient Judaism
• Feasts and Festivals in Ancient Judaism
• Book of Daniel: The Babylonian and Persian Eras
• Rulers in Israel during the Hellenistic and Maccabean Eras
• Rulers in Israel during the Roman Era
• Roman Persecutions of Christians
• An Overview of Christian History

The Land: Biblical Geography

• New Testament Geography:  Provinces, Capitals, Cities & Towns
  • Biblical Geography: The Galilee
  • Biblical Geography: Samaria and the Samaritans
  • Biblical Geography: The Jordan Valley and Trans-Jordan (Perea)
  • Biblical Geography: Jerusalem and the Region of Judea
  • Biblical Geography: Other Cities in the Region of Judea
  • Biblical Geography: The Decapolis
     
• Photos from FJ's Holy Land Pilgrimage in 2011
   
• Bible Maps and Slides on FJ's Website
  • Bible Maps List
  • Bible Maps Slide Show
  • Middle East PPT
  • Palestine-Israel PPT
  • Pauline Journeys PPT
     
• BAR Archaeology Slide Shows:
  • Galilee
  • Jerusalem
  • New Testament
  • Dead Sea Scrolls
     
• Clickable Maps from Bible-History.com
  • The Roman Empire
  • New Testament Cities
  • Israel in the Time of Jesus
  • Ancient Jerusalem
  • The Ministry of Jesus
  • The Last Passover of Jesus
     
• Simpler Maps from Bible-History.com
  • The Roman Empire in the Time of Jesus
    • The Decapolis and Its Cities
  • Israel in New Testament Times
    • Coastal Plain of Israel (Northern)
    • Coastal Plain of Israel (Southern)
  • Galilee and Northern Israel
    • Upper Galilee
    • Lower Galilee
  • Samaria and Central Israel
    • Samaria
  • Judea and Southern Israel
    • Judea
  • Northern Negev 
  • Edomite Territory
     

Materials from Other Sources:

• Books on the Holy Land
  • Stephen J. Binz. Holy Land Pilgrimage. Liturgical Press, 2020. - brand new!
  • Eyewitness Travel Guides: Jerusalem and the Holy Land. 2007.
  • Blue Guides: Israel and the Palestinian Territories. 2002.
    
  • Stephen C. Doyle, OFM. The Pilgrim's New Guide to the Holy Land. 1999.
      
    
• Films and Videos
  • Rick Steves. The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today. (2014)
  • Rick Steves. Travel Talk: Israel and Palestine Today. (2016)
  • Rick Steves. The Best of Israel. (2014)
  • Rick Steves. Palestine. (2014)
     
• Websites
  • Holy Land Pilgrimage - from the Israel Ministry of Tourism
  • Holy Land Pilgrimages - from the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land
  • Holy Land Itineraries - from the Catholic Travel Centre (Burbank, CA)
  • Holy Land Pilgrimage Guidelines - from the USCCB
  • Israel Antiquities Authority - resources for archaeology
  • Israel: National Parks and Nature Preserves - great pictures of each site
  • Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land - official website
  • Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem - official website