Holy Land Pilgrimage with Dan & Stephanie Burke

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart from the United States on our overnight flight(s) to the Holy Land. Please note, airfare is not included in the package.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we will be greeted by our professional pilgrimage escort and transferred by private deluxe motorcoach. If time permits, we will stop in the ancient town of Jaffa, where Saint Peter had his rooftop vision at the house of Simon the Tanner, revealing that salvation through Jesus is offered to all. We then continue on to Nazareth, where we will check into our hotel and enjoy our first dinner together in the land where the Holy Family lived. Overnight in Nazareth. (D)

Note: Day schedule on arrival is subject to change depending on flight details.

Following breakfast, we’ll journey to Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, where Saint Paul was imprisoned before his voyage to Rome. We will explore the Roman amphitheater and ancient aqueduct before continuing to Haifa. There we will visit Stella Maris Monastery, home of the Carmelite Order, and Elijah’s Cave. Here our spiritual director will celebrate Mass at this holy site. In the afternoon, we travel to Cana, where Jesus performed His first public miracle by changing water into wine. Married couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows in the Church of the Wedding Feast. In the evening, we’ll return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Today begins at the Sea of Galilee, where we will enjoy a peaceful boat ride across the same waters upon which Jesus walked. We’ll visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount, and continue to the town of Capernaum, where we will see the house of Saint Peter and the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. We will celebrate Mass, at the Church of the Primacy of Peter, located along the shore where the Risen Christ told Peter to “feed my sheep.” In the afternoon, we stop at Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene and site of a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (B, D)

This morning we ascend Mount Tabor to visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration and venerate the rock where Jesus was transfigured before Sts. Peter, James, and John. Returning to Nazareth, we’ll visit the Church of Saint Joseph, built over the home and carpenter’s shop of the Holy Family. We proceed to the Basilica of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God. Here we will celebrate Mass at the Grotto of the Annunciation. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (B, D)

After breakfast, we depart from Nazareth and drive to Jericho, the oldest city in the world, where we’ll view the Mount of Temptation and see the sycamore tree associated with the story of Zacchaeus. We continue to the Jordan River at Bet Arabah, the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism, where we will renew our baptismal promises. In the afternoon, we visit Bethlehem, beginning at the Basilica of the Nativity where we will celebrate Mass. We’ll also visit the Grotto of the Nativity, the Church of Saint Catherine, and the caves of Saint Jerome and Saint Joseph. We conclude our day at Shepherds’ Field, where the angels announced Christ’s birth. We then transfer to our hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

This morning we begin at the Church of the Pater Noster on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus taught His disciples to pray the Lord’s Prayer. We descend to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray at the Rock of Agony, where Christ accepted the cup of suffering. We continue to the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, built over the site of the high priest Caiaphas’s house, where Peter denied Christ three times. After lunch, we visit the Church of the Dormition, which honors the Assumption of Our Lady, and enter the Cenacle, the Upper Room of the Last Supper and Pentecost. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

We begin our day in Bethany at the Church and Tomb of Saint Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. We then travel south through the Judean desert, ascending by cable car to the mountain fortress of Masada. There we’ll explore the ruins of Herod’s palace, bathhouses, and the Roman siege ramp. Next, we visit Ein Gedi, the desert oasis where David hid from King Saul and composed many of the Psalms. Finally, we stop at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and view the caves and settlement of the Essenes. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

In the early morning, we walk prayerfully along the Via Dolorosa, following the path of Christ’s Passion and praying the Stations of the Cross. We arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where we will celebrate Mass at the site of Our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. After breakfast, we visit the Church of Saint Anne, the best-preserved Crusader church in the Holy Land and the traditional birthplace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We also visit the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic. The afternoon is free for prayer, reflection, or additional time at the Holy Sepulcher. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Our final day begins in the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of Saint John the Baptist and home of Elizabeth and Zechariah. We also visit the Church of the Visitation, commemorating Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. We then travel to the holy site of Emmaus in Abu Gosh, where the Risen Lord revealed Himself in the breaking of the bread. We will conclude our pilgrimage with a time of Eucharistic Adoration. A farewell dinner will be served at a local restaurant before we transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B, FD) (flights not included).

Note: Night of July 3-4 is included, some pilgrims may depart on the July 3 or 4 depending on flights.

We arrive home today, spiritually enriched and renewed by our journey through the land of Our Lord and Our Lady.

End of MAIN Pilgrimage Itinerary

**Canterbury Pilgrimages Disclaimer:

While every effort will be made to adhere to the planned itinerary, it should be viewed as a guide rather than a guaranteed schedule of sites. At times, local religious observances, national holidays, weather, traffic conditions, or unforeseen circumstances may require adjustments to the order of visits or the omission of certain locations.

After breakfast, we will depart early for our visit of Petra. We will begin with a short horse ride to the entrance of the Siq, then continue on foot through the narrow passage to the Treasury. We will continue through the site to see additional highlights, including the tombs, the paved road, the theater, and remnants of Byzantine churches. We will then travel north to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Holy Land, and continue to St George Church in Madaba to see the mosaic map of the Holy Land. Arrival in Amman for dinner and overnight. (B, D)