Holy Land 2021
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Israel & Palestine
August 28 - September 6, 2021 |
$2,750 per pilgrim, Land Only
Max. Capacity: 40 pilgrims |
This pilgrimage is open to individuals ages 18-39.
Take off on a holy adventure to explore thousands of years of world history and Catholic tradition. Walk in the footsteps of Christ and His Apostles as the Scriptures come alive around you. Wonders await you at holy sites from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, and from the Sea of Galilee to the top of Mount Tabor.
Scroll down to step into the detailed itinerary, then begin your registration by completing the form below.
Scroll down to step into the detailed itinerary, then begin your registration by completing the form below.
Register Here
Please fill out the short form below, and a registration form will be sent directly to your email inbox.
Pilgrimage Chaplain: Fr. Louis Merosne
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Fr. Louis Merosne is madly in love with the Trinity, the Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church. Born in Haiti, he moved to Boston in 1993. He studied at the Franciscan University, was ordained in 2011, and now serves in Haiti in the Diocese of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne. Preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ is both a duty and passion for him. His perpetual prayer intention is to be a saintly priest.
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Holy Land Itinerary
Day 1, August 28, Saturday
Pilgrims in North America depart from home on your flight to Tel Aviv.
Pilgrims in North America depart from home on your flight to Tel Aviv.
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Day 2, August 29, Sunday
ARRIVAL Welcome to Israel! Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Travel through customs and meet your JMJ UNITED Guide who will accompany you throughout your pilgrimage. Board your coach bus for the trip to your hotel in Tiberias. Once you have settled into your lodging, your Guide will help to prepare the group for the week ahead, beginning with the Welcome Mass & Dinner. Overnight in Tiberias. |
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Day 3, August 30, Monday
MT. TABOR, CANA, & NAZARETH This morning, travel to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration. After your visit, drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle of changing water into wine. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel in Cana. Before departing, toast a glass of local wine with your fellow pilgrims. This afternoon, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation (pictured), St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well, and the Old Market. Return to Tiberias for your group dinner, then enjoy a free evening to explore. Overnight in Tiberias. |
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Day 4, August 31, Tuesday
SEA OF GALILEE, CAPERNAUM, & TIBERIAS Traveling along the shores of the Sea of Galilee (pictured), start at Capernaum where Jesus lived and started his ministry. See the remnants of Peter’s mother-in law's house and the old synagogue where Jesus preached. Proceed to the Mount of Beatitudes (the location of Sermon of the Mount) to celebrate Mass. Drive onto Tabgha where the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves took place. Close by are the Church of Peter’s Primacy and the location of the Miraculous Fishing. Here is where Christ told his disciples to cast their net and catch the large quantity of fish. This is also where he proclaimed to Peter “Upon this Rock I will build my Church”. Then, take a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee as was done in the time of Jesus. (We don't recommend trying to walk on the water.) End the day in Bethlehem, where you will check into your hotel before the group dinner. Use your free evening to get a sneak peak of the city. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 5, September 1, Wednesday
BETHLEHEM, SHEPHERD'S FIELD, CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY & EIN KAREM Begin the day in Bethlehem and visit the Shepherds' Field where the angels announced the birth of Christ. Then, visit the Church of the Nativity (pictured) that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Mass will be held in Bethlehem at St. Catherine of Alexandra or the Shepherds' Field Chapel. Enjoy a leisurely lunch, and take time to shop in Bethlehem. After lunch, drive to the Village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist. Step inside the Church of the Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. Return to Bethlehem for the group dinner before your free evening. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 6, September 2, Thursday
JERUSALEM, MOUNT OF OLIVES, GETHSEMANE, PATER NOSTER, DOMINUS FLEVIT, UPPER ROOM, DORMITION CHURCH, & ST. PETER GALLICANTU Make a morning pilgrimage to the Mount of Olives. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City, revealing 4,000 years of history. Visit the Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples. Walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit (pictured), where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see The Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of all Nations. In the afternoon, drive to the hill of Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, dominated by the Church of the Dormition. Visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper and end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Christ. Return to Bethlehem for the group dinner and a free evening. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 7, September 3, Friday
JERUSALEM & THE PASSION Retrace the last steps of Jesus, as you walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow, pictured), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross. Reflect on the greatness of Christ's sacrifice. Finally, arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass. At St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, stop for a short prayer. Pass the Ecce Home where Pontius Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man." Continue on to the Wailing Wall, the most holy place for Jews. The rest of the day is open for visits to other Holy Sites, shopping, or simply relaxing. Return to Bethlehem for the group dinner and a free evening. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 8, September 4, Saturday
BETHANY This morning, drive to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and the Tomb of Lazarus. Drive down the Jordan Valley and stop at the oasis town of Jericho to visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world. View the Mount of Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. Visit the excavations of ancient Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered. After a busy day, there is time for a relaxing swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea (pictured), renowned for their healing properties. Rejuvenated, return to Bethlehem for the group dinner and a free evening. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 9, September 5, Sunday
JERUSALEM Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on this, your last day in the Holy Land. The entire day in Jerusalem is yours for independent exploration, private prayer, or relaxation after a week full of new experiences. In the evening, reconnect with the group for a Farewell Dinner. Toast to your new friendships forged by this unforgettable experience walking in the footsteps of Christ. Overnight in Bethlehem. |
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Day 10, September 6, Monday
Rosh Hashana Eve / Labor Day in the US
DEPARTURE
Depart Tel Aviv for home carrying with you the graces, memories, and photographs of this incredible pilgrimage.
Rosh Hashana Eve / Labor Day in the US
DEPARTURE
Depart Tel Aviv for home carrying with you the graces, memories, and photographs of this incredible pilgrimage.
Daily Mass is always included in our itineraries, except on air travel days. Activities are subject to change and/or rearrange within the itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are hotel rooms assigned?
Hotel rooms will be shared by 2-3 pilgrims of the same sex, depending on the mix of men and women in the final group. Private rooms are available at additional cost. Room assignments will be emailed to you at least two weeks prior to departure.
Will you book my flights?
Because participants in this pilgrimage will be flying from multiple cities across the United States, we are not able to make group airfare reservations for you from your particular departure city. Your pilgrimage is a "Land Only" package, freeing you to reserve your preferred flights into and out of Tel Aviv, Israel.
What are the designated arrival and departure times? Why are they important?
When reserving your flights, plan to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) by 4pm on Sunday, August 29th and to depart from the same airport after 12pm on Monday, September 6th. These flight times enable you to use the group airport transfers. If you arrive after or depart before the designated times, you will be responsible for arranging transportation from/to the airport at your own expense.
Hotel rooms will be shared by 2-3 pilgrims of the same sex, depending on the mix of men and women in the final group. Private rooms are available at additional cost. Room assignments will be emailed to you at least two weeks prior to departure.
Will you book my flights?
Because participants in this pilgrimage will be flying from multiple cities across the United States, we are not able to make group airfare reservations for you from your particular departure city. Your pilgrimage is a "Land Only" package, freeing you to reserve your preferred flights into and out of Tel Aviv, Israel.
What are the designated arrival and departure times? Why are they important?
When reserving your flights, plan to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) by 4pm on Sunday, August 29th and to depart from the same airport after 12pm on Monday, September 6th. These flight times enable you to use the group airport transfers. If you arrive after or depart before the designated times, you will be responsible for arranging transportation from/to the airport at your own expense.