Frequently Asked Questions

Want to Organize a Pilgrimage?

Would you like to travel for free? Interested in organizing a pilgrimage? Would you like Steve and Janet to put it together for you and be your guides?

Steve and Janet Ray here. We can work with you to plan a complete package for your parish or organization. We are certified guides and work hard — before, during and after the pilgrimage — to make sure the experience is wonderful for everyone.

We started Footprints of God Pilgrimages to offer unique, personalized pilgrimages — with a touch of adventure and discovery! Our pilgrimages are thoroughly biblical, spiritual and Catholic — in tradition of our Footprints of God documentaries.

We’ve partnered with Corporate Travel for registering, insurance, airline flights, accommodations and more. This Catholic owned company have  business for over 40 years and is very detail-oriented and excellent with customer service.

We go to the Holy Land to support the Christians who are only 1.5% of the population. Whenever possible we stay in Christian hotels, use Catholic shops, guides and drivers. We eat at Christian restaurants, and help the Christians of the Holy Land as much as possible.

We also lead groups to Italy (especially Rome), Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Ireland and more. We specialize in the lands of the Bible. We can add a four day extension to any of these exciting places.

If you are interested in having us — Footprints of God Pilgrimages — plan your pilgrimage and be your guides — please contact Steve at sray@rc.net or call Suzanne at 800-727-1999, extension 121 or at sparran@ctscentral.net.

For more information, read E-Priest’s article Re-energize Parishioners with a Life-changing Pilgrimage.

Also, is you are the sponsor or you host a pilgrimage, you and the priest of your choice can travel for free.

Who Can Join Us?

Just about everyone can join us on our pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other destinations. But here are a few guidelines to help answer Frequently Asked Questions.

Do we have to be Catholics?
No, you do not have to be a Catholic but this is a very Catholic-oriented pilgrimage. Steve will be defending the faith and explaining the holy sites in light of the Catholic faith — just as he does in his Footprints of God video series. We celebrate daily Mass, pray the Rosary, and more. Though one does not have to be a practicing Catholic, one must be able to participate in a thoroughly Catholic event without hindering or stifling the worship, teaching and prayers of the other pilgrims.

What about Wheelchairs and Handicapped Access?
The Middle East and much of Europe is not yet handicapped friendly. So we are unable to accommodate persons confined to a wheelchair or unable to walk 1-2 miles in a day. We do have assistants who can help less mobile people for a fee. Please call Suzanne at Corporate Travel for more detailed information at 800-727-1999, extension 121.

What about Children?
Do to the schedule and the nature of a pilgrimage we are unable to accommodate children under six years old. We are always delighted to have older children come with us as long as they are well-behaved.

What about languages, money, time differences, food, electricity, weather, clothing to wear?
These are just a few of the hundreds of questions we receive on a regular basis. We have prepared answers to all these and many other questions for your convenience in our document.

Why Aren’t Your Pilgrimages $2995?

Many cheap tours can be found on the internet — some as low as $2,995. How can they do it so cheaply when your prices are in the high $3,000 range?

There are many reasons our pilgrimages cost more than cheaper tours. As the old sayings go, “You get what you pay for!”  and,  “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
We are not in the business of creating cheap assembly line-type pilgrimages. People who want cheap tours will find plenty available. But we have a different philosophy.
This may be your only trip to visit the Holy Land so make sure you get the most out of your pilgrimage.
It is possible to visit the Holy Land and miss a lot — seeing and learning only a fraction of what you should experience as a Catholic.
A pilgrimage should be a marvelous spiritual experience with prayer and worship and daily Mass at holy sites. Too many tours neglect the spiritual element and rush people in and out of sites with no time for prayer, Scripture reading, teaching and reflection.
Not with us! We make sure it is a pilgrimage!

Other companies often hand off their groups to local guides who are often non-Christian with very poor English. Over 90% of all Israeli guides Jewish or Muslim. How can they truly lead a Catholic pilgrimage?
Many groups are not Catholic, but a mixture of religions or no religion. Our are fully Catholic!
Our Footprints of God Pilgrimages also support the persecuted Christians in the Holy Land. With us your money goes to help Christians! We use Christian hotels, Christian restaurants, and patronize Christian shops. We have Catholic guides and drivers.
This is the most important thing that Americans can do to support the continued Christian presence in the Holy Land. Other tour organizers look for the cheapest, we patronize the best Christian establishment — for their good, and for ours!
Our trips are well organized, personally led by certified guides Steve & Janet Ray, with paid American escorts to assist every step of the way.
We have no hidden or additional charges, and receive rave reviews.
Our pilgrims receive many benefits including Steve’s exclusive 110-page Handbook for Pilgrims, a personalize DVD movie of the trip, daily video uploads to YouTube for your family and friends to join you each day.
Mass in primary holy sites, Mysteries of the Rosary prayed at each place they happened and much more. Below are a few more things that make our pilgrimage different.

Personnel Issues
• Steve & Janet are certified guides for the Holy Land and have been to Israel and the Middle East over seventy times—exploring, leading groups, and filming documentaries. They can show you the Land like no one else.

• Steve and Janet Ray do not hand you off and abandon you to local guides.

•Pilgrims receive the personal attention of both Steve and Janet Ray and their experienced escorts for the entire pilgrimage.

• Our American escort accompanies pilgrims from the US to Israel and back. During the pilgrimage, our experienced escort is with pilgrims 24/7 to cheerfully handle any issues or problems.

• Our pilgrimages are accompanied by faithful priests approved by Steve & Janet Ray. They are orthodox, fun, and ready to serve the pilgrims with Mass, confession and spiritual direction.

• Steve gives many of his popular talks and presentations on the bus and on location.

•We use Corporate Travel, a professional and reputable Catholic and American travel agency to assist in booking, registration and preparation.

• We use the best tour operator in Israel to assure you of quick response and personal service while away from home.

Travel & Food Issues
We have the best air conditioned and comfortable coaches with the same driver throughout the trip.

Assistance at airports and every step of the way each day.

• All flights are arranged and paid for as part of the package price. Land prices are available.

Not just buffet lines! We take you to wonderful restaurants such as Aberge Shulamit, one of Israel’s best and most beautiful gourmet restaurants (owned by Steve & Janet’s good friend and Christian Hussam)

ALL meals included in the price. We like to give you many culinary adventures.

• We are prompt and punctual. No waiting around or wasted time.

Other Benefits
• Videos and cameras are running throughout the day. A YouTube video is posted each night so all your family and friends can join you daily on a Virtual Pilgrimage.

• Each family receives a “Highlight Pilgrimage DVD” featuring them on their trip.

• Each pilgrim receives Steve’s exclusive 110-page Handbook for Pilgrims with pictures, maps, scripture and detailed history of the land and the holy sites. This handbook includes Rosary mysteries for the appropriate sites, hymns and prayers for group worship and song, and much more.

• Each pilgrim receives a large full color map of Israel and Jerusalem and a colorful booklet for notes.

After the pilgrimage On-line Photo Albums are uploaded on our website.

We provide Whisper sets (head sets) so you can easily hear everything and miss nothing.

Classy nametags with lanyard and pockets, luggage tags and documentation.

Card with the Our Father in the language of Jesus after hearing it spoken. Renewal of baptismal vow certificate for those renewing their vows in Cana.

• Renewal of Baptismal vows in the Jordan River.

• All tickets and entrance fees covered (except optional day when options are available)

All taxes and tips are paid for you, including hotel staff, dinners, housekeepers, and front desk.

Most trips so NOT cover tips for drivers and guides — we DO, saving you several hundred dollars.

• Our Footprints of God Pilgrimages support the persecuted Christians in the Holy Land—who make up only about 1.5% of the population. They desperately need our help. With us your money goes to support Christians! We use Christian hotels, Christian restaurants, and patronize Christian shops. This is the most important thing Americans can do to support the continued Christian presence in the Holy Land. Other tour organizers look for the cheapest—we patronize the best Christian establishment for their good—and for ours!

• You will enjoy a private evening with Steve and Janet balanced discussion on the “Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.” How should we think about such a confusing and emotional issue? Steve and Janet help you unravel the situation while you are experiencing it for yourself.

• Hotels strategically located within walking distance of holy sites.

•We only travel during prime seasons to avoid the blistering summers and the cold, rainy winters. This increases the pricing a bit, but is well worth the comfort and uninhibited touring.

• Most groups are handed off to local guides—many who speak poor English and frequently are not Christian. A large percentage of local guides are Muslims trying to teach Catholics their faith.

• A free day for shopping or prayer, with an optional trip offered to Masada, Qumran, Jericho and the Dead Sea.

• Many tour companies surprise pilgrims with hidden fees or costs. With our tours ALL tips and expenses included in the price—no hidden expenses or charges.

• Daily Mass at exceptional sites such as the High Mass at the Tomb of Christ, the Grotto of the Nativity of Mary, Gethsemane, the Grotto of the Annunciation, the House of Peter in Capernaum, and others.

• Groups are not rushed through sites without time for teaching and prayer.

• Whenever possible, and almost exclusively, we patronize trusted Christian hotels, restaurants and shops.

We direct pilgrims to quality establishments and protect them from scams.

The reviews and accolades we receive tell us we are doing it right. We may not be the cheapest, but we are the best. We hope you will entrust this major investment into our hands so you can get the most out of your once in a lifetime trip to the Holy Land.

Steve arranges camel rides
for all pilgrims.

• We provide olive wood Rosaries on Day 1 for a minimal charge. We then pray them at each site of the Mysteries and touch them on all the holy sites. For a complete list, click here.

All lunches are at authentic, proven, quality—and usually Christian restaurants. You will experience a wide range of local foods. All are paid for in advance.

• Free Holy Shroud Exhibit —  a marvelous guided tour