Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & Dubai Under the Spiritual Direction of Fr. Mark Gazzingan

Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our flight to Tel Aviv. Meals and drinks are served aloft.

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are welcomed by our representative and transferred to our hotel in Bethlehem. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest and recover from the international flight before beginning our pilgrimage. Dinner and overnight.

This morning we travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Continue to St. Catherine's Church, the Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Milk Grotto before visiting Shepherds' Field where the angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds. Later we travel to the peaceful village of Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to visit the Church of the Visitation and the Church of St. John.

Following breakfast, we depart Bethlehem and travel north along the beautiful Mediterranean coast. Our first stop is Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital of Judea where St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Continue to Haifa and ascend Mount Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, where we celebrate Mass before continuing to Magdala on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today we begin at Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Continue to Capernaum, where Jesus made His home during much of His public ministry, and visit the synagogue where He taught. Celebrate Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We then visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, before concluding the day with a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, drive to Nazareth, home of the Holy Family. Visit St. Joseph's Workshop and the Basilica of the Annunciation. Continue to Cana of Galilee where Our Lord performed His first miracle by changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, married couples will have the opportunity to renew their wedding vows. We then travel to the summit of Mount Tabor to celebrate Mass at the site of the Transfiguration while enjoying magnificent views over the Jezreel Valley. Return to Magdala for dinner.

After breakfast, we head to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. We then visit Masada. Continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran, where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. After lunch, enjoy the opportunity to float in the mineralrich waters of the Dead Sea. Continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, visit the Mount of Olives beginning at the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer. Continue to the Chapel of the Ascension before walking along the Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flevit where we celebrate Mass while overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. Continue to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations, and the Tomb of Mary. This evening, return to the Garden of Gethsemane for a Holy Hour at the place where Jesus suffered His agony before His Passion. We continue to Mount Zion where we visit the Upper Room, the traditional site of the Last Supper, and celebrate Mass.

Today we begin with Mass at St. Anne's Church and visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the crippled man. Walk the Via Dolorosa, following in the footsteps of Christ along the Way of the Cross, before arriving at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Here we venerate Calvary, the Stone of Anointing, and the Empty Tomb of Our Lord, the greatest witness to His Resurrection. Continue to the archaeological excavations surrounding the Temple Mount where Jesus preached and taught. See the Southern Steps and the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and one of the most significant religious sites in the world. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Today we head to the airport for our flights to the beautiful city of Dubai. After visa formalities we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After Breakfast, we make a visit to Dubai Frame, the largest frame in the world. The building has a height of 150.24 meters and a width of 95.53 meters, it has a small museum and at the top an observatory to see Dubai modern from a side, and the other side the old Dubai, after that we have the visit to the future which is a gateway to a future world, crafted by visionary designers, artists, and filmmakers. We continue with a stop at Dubai Mall to take a photo of Burj Khalifa.

This morning we spend time at the beautiful Miracle Garden. The afternoon is at leisure. We then head back to the hotel for some rest before we leave for our evening safari dinner.

Today we transfer to the airport for our return flight home. We arrive home carrying unforgettable memories and a renewed faith after walking in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ.