Journal

About the Pilgrimage

VIEW PICTURES FROM THE PILGRIMAGE HERE!

Israel has removed all vaccine requirements! For immediate registration or for discounts your youngsters, contact our Reservations Team at 866-557-2364, or write them at FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net.

Christmas in the Holy Land is a unique experience. There are fewer tourists crowding the holy sites and the temperatures are cooler. Families and the young people all bond which adds to the whole pilgrimage experience.

Everyone is welcome to join us!  This is a great experience for young people to get to know other young people who love the Lord and the Church. The interaction between the kids is quite amazing over these eight days.

Our priests have told us that many of the kids talk with them and they hear their confessions. They comment on the profound conversions that take place in the hearts and minds of the young people.

Christmas season in the Holy Land is remarkable. Believe it or not but the crowds are smaller, making access to holy sites easier and the temperatures are comfortable. This trip often has many families with their young people, which is great for families.

Steve and Janet have partnered with the same Roman Catholic Nazarene guide for all their trips over the last decade. Amer is a practicing Catholic and a walking encyclopedia. He is considered one of the finest guides in the Holy Land. Having a Christian guide is very important.

You’ll enjoy Steve and Janet’s trusted hotels and delicious meals including some amazing dinner experiences away from the typical hotel buffets. Wine provided with all dinners along with a wide range of cuisines to experience the Holy Land to it’s fullest.

You will receive their 110-page color handbook, daily YouTube videos so your family and friends can join you virtually every day and a fully edited movie of your trip upon your return home.

Steve personally teaches at the holy sites and shares experiences from over 180 previous trips to Israel and other biblical lands since 1995. We do everything we can to support the local Christians who only make up 1.5% of the population.

Daily Mass at the most holy sites, pray every Mystery of the Rosary where it took place, pray the Stations of the Cross on the way to Mass at Calvary and the Tomb.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Departure from USA

Depart from the United States on overnight flights to Tel Aviv. Day 2 Arrival in Israel | Galilee | Tiberias

Arrival in Tel Aviv’s modern Ben Gurion Airport. Meet Steve and Janet Ray along with the local team. Transfer to Galilee. Mass and dinner on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 3 Mount of Transfiguration | Cana | Nazareth | Tiberias

Ascend the Mount of Transfiguration (Mount Tabor) early for Mass to miss the crowds; then depart for the Wedding Church in Cana for Renewal of Wedding Vows. After lunch in Nazareth, visit the Church of Annunciation. Visit the House of the Holy Family. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 4 Mount of Beatitudes | Tabgha | Tiberias

Mount of Beatitudes for Mass. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus said, “You are Peter (Rock)!” Drive through Golan Heights; view the Syrian border. Lunch at Druze restaurant. Visit Tabgha where Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Visit the Primacy of Peter where Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep”. Dinner at Magdalena Restaurant. Overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5 Sea of Galilee | Capernaum | Jerusalem

Drive to Capernaum for Mass at St. Peter’s House and the synagogue where Jesus said “Eat My Flesh!” Hear Steve’s famous talk on the Eucharist. Next, enjoy a boat ride on Sea of Galilee. St. Peter’s fish for lunch. Drive to Jerusalem stopping along the way at Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6 Bethlehem | Jerusalem

Spend the day in Bethlehem. Visit the Olive Wood store to support local Christians. Mass at Shepherd’s Field and visit the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born.** Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with the atmosphere of a Bedouin Tent with traditional dancing in Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 Via Dolorosa | Calvary | Western Wall | Jerusalem

Depart early this morning and travel along the Via Dolorosa. Arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and celebrate Mass. Touch the top of Mount Calvary and tour the church. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Depart for prayer at the Western Wall. Enjoy a group lunch together in Jerusalem. Free time this afternoon. Optional tour of the Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 Gethsemane | Mt. Olives | Mt. Zion | Jerusalem

Begin today with Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive to the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of Pater Noster. At the scenic Promenade, hear Steve give his invigorating History of Salvation in 20 minutes. Enjoy lunch at Jewish kibbutz. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Church of the Mary Dormition and the Upper Room, ending at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner at the Cheese and Wine Restaurant on the roof of the Notre Dame Center, overlooking Jerusalem, and overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9 Free Day | Optional Dead Sea Excursion | Jerusalem

Celebrate morning Mass at Notre Dame Chapel. Free day for shopping, prayer, rest, personal visit to Holy Sepulchre or optional side trips. Optional Excursion (tour escort will advise price) to the Ancient Jerusalem Temple model and shrine of the Book, Qumran, Jericho and swimming in the Dead Sea. We will renew Baptismal vows at the authentic baptismal site of Jesus. We also have Sammie the Camel ready to give you a ride. We keep your room for you so you can return to the hotel for a shower, pack, rest and have dinner. This evening, get ready for flight, through the night, back home.

Day 10 : Return to USA

Depart on your return flight back to the USA.

* Itinerary subject to change

** We will visit the grotto of the Nativity as possible based on the length of lines and conditions within the Church of Nativity