2027-09-07 HL1211 Catholic pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Depart London on our direct flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival in the Holy Land, you will be warmly welcomed by our pilgrimage guide and transferred by coach to our hotel in Bethlehem. After check-in, you may have time to relax and settle in following your long journey. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, will be our home for the next five nights before we continue north through Galilee as our pilgrimage unfolds. This evening, we gather together for our first dinner in the Holy Land, marking the beginning of our very special 10-day pilgrimage together in the Holy Land.

After breakfast from the hotel we walk to the Manger Square then onto the Basilica of the Nativity. To bit the crowed, we first visit The Grotto inside the Nativity Church where Jesus was born. We walked down a narrow staircase that leads us to a small Grotto below the altar where a silver star on the floor marks the spot where Our Lady gave birth to Jesus. Many people cry quietly here filled with overwhelming emotion, peace and joy of fulfilment to get closer in contact with sacred history. Afterwards, we tour the basilica visiting the Franciscan Church of the Nativity; the beautiful church of St Catherine; St Jerome’s’ Cave and tomb and St Joseph’s Grotto where we celebrate Mass. We give you a moment to pray at the church and afterwards we walk to the Milk Grotto - also known as the Museum of the Miracles, due to a drop of Mary’s milk fell onto the cave’s floor while she was nursing the infant Jesus, turning the limestone inside the grotto a soft white colour because of this the site became associated with Motherhood, fertility and nursing and healthy childbirth. Lunch break then proceed to Shepherd’s Field, visit the Grottos there and visit the Chapel above - where the angels first sang the ‘Gloria in Excelcis Deo’ on the night of the first Christmas. We may sing Christmas Carols here. Before we return to the hotel, we have a chance to do some shopping for religious articles produced and made in Bethlehem. Dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast we journey by coach to Jerusalem to Stephen’s Gate and walk to St Anne’s Basilica where we visit the traditional birthplace of Our Lady and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralysed man. Proceed to the church of Ecce Homo, built on the site of the Palace of Pilate, here we visit the chapels of the Crowning with Thorns and the Condemnation followed by the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa following the route Our Lord walked on the first Good Friday. From here we will carry the Cross, passing it on at every station and conclude our journey at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We celebrate Mass here. Afterwards visit Mt Calvary, the Holy Tomb of Jesus, and the Grotto of the True Cross. We will have time to pray and reflect in front of the Holy Tomb. If time allows, we stay here for little, longer to pray, reflect and light candles. Our coach will take us back to the hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel.

This morning we journey to the Holy City of Jerusalem, beginning at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and the last remaining retaining wall of the Second Temple, destroyed in AD 70. Here we pause to reflect and experience the profound atmosphere of prayer that has filled this sacred place for centuries. We then continue to Mount Zion, where we visit the Upper Room (Cenacle), traditionally recognised as the site of the Last Supper and the first Christian community. Nearby we see King David’s Tomb before visiting the magnificent Dormition Abbey, which commemorates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Dormition and her Assumption into Heaven. Our pilgrimage continues to St Peter in Gallicantu, one of Jerusalem’s most moving shrines. Built on the traditional site of the High Priest Caiaphas’ house, it commemorates St Peter’s threefold denial of Christ. We descend into the ancient prison cell traditionally venerated as the place where Jesus was held following His arrest on the night before His Crucifixion. In the afternoon we travel to the peaceful village of Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist. We visit the Church of the Visitation, where the Blessed Virgin Mary greeted her cousin St Elizabeth and proclaimed the Magnificat. We also visit the Church of St John the Baptist, built over the traditional site of his birth. Following this enriching day of prayer and pilgrimage, we return to our hotel for dinner and our overnight stay.

Coach to the Summit of Mt of Olives, Jerusalem; visit Ascension Dome, Pater Noster Grotto, walk to Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over Jerusalem), Mass here and afterwards proceed to Gethsemane Garden and Basilica (the beautiful Church of all Nations). Drive to Jericho, view Mt of Temptation and Zacchaeus’s Sycamore Tree followed by lunch in Qumran. Then on to the Dead Sea for the floating experience. Return to our hotel and evening dinner.

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and travel through the beautiful Jordan Valley towards Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. From the base of the mountain, we transfer by taxi to the summit, where we visit the magnificent Church of the Transfiguration and spend time in prayer and reflection. We then continue to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first public miracle by changing water into wine at the wedding feast. We visit the Church of the Wedding, and married couples have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows in this sacred place. A commemorative renewal certificate is available to purchase for approximately £5 as a special keepsake. Our pilgrimage continues to Nazareth, the town where the Holy Family lived. Here we visit the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the traditional site of the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We descend to the sacred Grotto of the Annunciation, where we spend time in quiet prayer and reflection. We then celebrate Holy Mass in the Upper Basilica before visiting the nearby Church of St Joseph, built over the traditional site of St Joseph’s workshop and home. A short walk brings us to the Ancient Synagogue Church, traditionally believed to commemorate the synagogue where Jesus prayed and taught during His hidden years in Nazareth. Late this afternoon, we travel to Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and check in to our hotel, where we will stay for the next two nights. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

After breakfast, we depart the hotel and travel to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus lived, taught, called His first disciples, and performed many of His miracles. We begin with a peaceful 45-minute boat cruise across the Sea of Galilee aboard an ancient-style replica boat, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on the Gospel accounts of Christ’s ministry on these sacred waters. We then continue to Capernaum, often referred to as the "Town of Jesus," where Our Lord made His home during much of His public ministry. Here we visit the Church of St Peter, built over the traditional site of the Apostle’s house, and view the remains of the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and taught. Our pilgrimage continues to the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site where Jesus proclaimed the Sermon on the Mount. Surrounded by beautiful gardens overlooking the Sea of Galilee, we spend time reflecting on the Beatitudes and the call to Christian discipleship. We then travel to Tabgha, visiting the Church of the Primacy of St Peter, which commemorates the Risen Christ’s appearance to His disciples and His commission to St Peter: "Feed my sheep." Here we celebrate Holy Mass. A short distance away, we visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, built over the traditional site of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Our final pilgrimage stop today is Yardenit on the River Jordan, where pilgrims have the opportunity to renew their Baptismal Promises in remembrance of their own Baptism and of Christ’s Baptism in the River Jordan. We return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and our overnight stay.

Today we conclude our pilgrimage. After breakfast and checking out, we journey north to Mount Carmel in Haifa. There we visit the Stella Maris Monastery, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, spiritual home of the Carmelite Order. Beneath the church lies the revered Cave of the Prophet Elijah, where we recall the faithfulness and courage of Elijah as he listened for the gentle voice of God. Here, in this sacred place, we celebrate Mass here. If time permits, we pause to admire the magnificent Bahá’í Gardens, cascading down the slopes of Mount Carmel and overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. We then continue on to Jaffa, the ancient port from which so many journeys of faith began. Here we visit St. Peter’s Church and take a brief walk along the seashore, reflecting on the apostles and early believers who once passed through this historic harbour. Finally, we proceed to the airport for our return journey home, carrying with us the blessings of the Holy Land. Confident that the Lord who walked these sacred paths continues to walk with us always. Note: (day 8). We can only follow this itinerary if our outbound flight is in the evening. Note: This itinerary is subject to change owing to local circumstances beyond our control. The guide may change the order to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage. Masses will be arranged each day, and venues will be confirmed according to availability. E&OE.