About the Pilgrimage

About this Pilgrimage to the “Whole Holy Land”

You can watch a past video of the Jordan portion of the trip here.

This is our favorite time of year to visit the Middle East – smaller crowds and cooler weather. Lovely time to visit the Holy Land — Jordan and Israel!!

We have selected the best Mass sites for you, and we will visit each Rosary site and pray each Mystery there.

Steve and Janet have partnered with the same Catholic guide in Jordan for 25 years. We are the godparents to his daughter. We baptized her in the Jordan River in 2021. We have been great friends and business partners for over 25 years.

Our Israel guide has also been a friend for over 20 years, and our Catholic Nazarene guide for all 100 of our trips over the two decades. Both Elias and Amer are practicing Catholics and walking encyclopedias. We consider them the finest Christian guides for Jordan and Israel–and we are not alone in that assessment. 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 is included with all dinners, along with a wide range of cuisines, to experience the Holy Land to its fullest.

BELOW: OUR COOKING CLASS AND DINNER IN MADABA, JORDAN, WITH OUR CATHOLIC FRIENDS ELIAS AND FARIEL

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 150 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 holiest sites and we pray every Mystery of the Rosary where it took place. Also, pray the Stations of the Cross on the way to Calvary and Mass at the Tomb.

Enjoy a group of like-minded Catholics from around the country for a marvelous pilgrimage through the land of our Lord and Our Lady. We will share ministry and ideas along the way– to help and encourage all the deacons and their wives.

In Jordan you will visit all five of the Pilgrimage Sites designated during the visit of Pope John Paul II. Each of them are marvelous biblical sites in addition to all the others you will visit.

JORDAN ITINERARY

Day 1 |   Depart USA Depart USA on overnight flights for Amman.

Day 2 |   Arrive in Jordan | Amman

Arrival at Amman Queen Alia International Airport. You will be greeted upon arrival by Steve and Janet Ray and by our Jordanian Catholic guide Elias Khzuz. If time permits panoramic tour of Amman (pending flight arrival time). Mass at Amman Peace Center. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Amman. (D)

Day 3 |   Anjara | Jerash | Jabbok River

Mass at the Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara, a pilgrimage site. Tour the fantastic Roman city of Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman archaeological sites. Visit Mar Elias (Tishbe, hometown of Prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1). Lunch at local authentic restaurant. Visit Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with the Angel. Back to Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 4 |   Madaba | Jordan Valley | Machaerus | Petra

Drive to the mountain village of Madaba. Mass at Mount Nebo. Look out over the Jordan Valley and Israel like Moses did before he died here. See where Joshua crossed over the Jordan River. Visit St. George’s Church to see the famous Madaba “Holy Land Mosaic Map.” Themed lunch at Elias Khzuz’s family restaurant. Visit to the mosaic factory and store. Drive to Petra. See Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B, L, D)

Days 5 |   Petra

Visit Petra all morning. Lunch at Petra. Transfer back to Amman and stop en route for Mass at the Our Lady of Peace Center with some of the most beautiful biblical art covering the walls. Dinner and overnight in Amman. (B, L, D)

Day 6 |  Free Day at Jordan Dead Sea Resort

Enjoy a free day at the Dead Sea Resort. Enjoy a day at the resort with picturesque views of the Jordan Valley and time to relax at the pool or spa before joining the rest of the group in Israel. Celebrate Mass at the hotel. (B, D)

Day 7 |   Bethany | Jordon River

Drive to Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan for Mass at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Stop at the authentic site to renew our baptismal vows. Visit site and the new Catholic Church being built. Continue on to Sheikh Hussein Bridge to cross into Israel. Drive to your hotel in Tiberias to meet up with the main trip group. (B, L)

ISRAEL ITINERARY

 

Day 8 |  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. (B, L, D)

Day 9 |   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. (B, L, D)

Day 10 |   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. (B, L, D)

Day 11 |   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. (B, L, D)

Day 12 |   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. (B, L, D)

Day 13 |   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, overnight in Jerusalem. (B, L, D)

Day 14 |   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. (B, L, D)

Day 15 |   Return to USA

Depart on your return flight back to the USA.

Contact our Reservations Team at 866.557.2364 or FootprintsOfGod@ctscentral.net