A Holy Land Pilgrimage as organized and sponsored by the Crossroads Initiative, is a truly unique experience. It is indeed a sacred pilgrimage, learning experience, and vacation all wrapped into one! A spiritual journey leading to spiritual breakthrough can also be fun and fascinating at the same time. The next adventure begins on December 27, 2012 and concludes on January 6, 2013, but it really doesn't end. Your return will mark a new beginning -- you will never read the Bible or participate in the Eucharist in the same way ever again. Here are some of the details of this one in a lifetime trip led by Catholic Theologian, historian, and biblical schlolar, Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio (aka "Dr. Italy").
Download Registration Form NOW! - coming soon
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
DEC 27: BEGINNING OUR PILGRIMAGE Depart Newark via jet service. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
DEC 28: INTO THE LAND OF THE BIBLE Upon arrival in the afternoon, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with formalities. A luxury motorcoach will transfer you to your hotel in Jerusalem.
DEC 29: JERUSALEMThis morning visit the Church of St. Ann, built on the site of the birthplace of Our Lady where Mass will be celebrated. Continue to the Pool of Bethesda, where Christ healed the paralytic. Visit the Temple area, the spot where the original temple was built and which was the scene of many episodes from the life of Christ, such as the expulsion of the money changers. Here now stands the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest spot in the world for the Moslem faith. Visit the El Aqsa Mosque In the afternoon proceed to the National Museum, the Shrine of the Book. Continue to Mount Zion, visiting the room of the Last Supper, Church of the Dormition and then visit the Church of St. Peter in Gailicantu built on the site of the house of Caiaphas which encloses the dungeon where Christ was kept on Holy Thursday night and where Peter denied Christ thrice.
DEC 30: MOUNTAINS OF JERUSALEMDrive to the Mount of Olives and visit the Church of the Ascension, the spot where Christ ascended into Heaven; the Pater Noster Church commemorating Christ’s teaching of the Our Father to his disciples; DominusFievit, the spot where Christ wept over Jerusalem and onwards to Gethsemane to view the ancient Olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane and to visit the Church of All Nations which houses the Rock of the Agony of Christ on Holy Thursday; in this Church is a beautiful mosaic donated by theUnited States. Celebrate Mass at the Church of All Nations. Visit the Cave of the betrayal of Jesus and the Tomb of Our Lady. In the afternoon, visit EinKarem, the place of the Visitation where Our Lady came to visit her cousin Elizabeth. View the plaques with the Magnificat in most languages of the World. Visit the parish church of St. John the Baptist, and the Grotto of his birth. Return to your hotel.
DEC 31: JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEMDrive to Bethlehem. Visit the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the site of the birthplace of Christ. Visit the Cave where Christ was born and it is the occasion to sing the traditional Christmas Hymns. A visit is made to the Chapel of St. Jerome, who lived here for many years and translated the Bible into Latin. The nearby Church of St. Catherine is the venue for the midnight Mass which is broadcast all over the World from Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Continue to the Shepherds field, recalling the "great throng of the heavenly hosts" who appeared to the Shepherds and told them of the birth of the Saviour. This afternoon, we will visit the Wailing which is the most sacred spot in the world for the Jews.Return to the hotel.
JAN 01: Morning at leisure.In the afternoon, we will tour the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Chapel of Flagellation, the chapel of Condemnation and the Lithostrotos, the site of the Antonia Fortress where Julius Caesar resided at the time of Christ and where Christ was tried and condemned to death. Beginning the way of the Cross here, join the walk along the Via Dolorosa led by the Franciscans - ending at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb. Visit Calvary and the Tomb of Our Lord followed by a short tour of the Basilica.Day at leisure. Overnight in Jerusalem.
JAN 02: THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEAAfter breakfast, drive to Bethany and visit the new Church, built on the site of the house ofMary and Martha, where Masswill be celebrated. Visit the Tomb of Lazarus. Proceed through the Judean Wilderness to Jericho stopping at the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Visit Elisha’s Fountain and the ancient city of Jericho from which you can view the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. Continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, before returning to Jerusalem.
JAN 03: JERUSALEM TO GALILEEThis morning drive north from Jerusalem to Galilee. Drive to the top of Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration.Proceed to Nazareth where you will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation enclosing the remains of the house of Joachim and Ann and the site where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she was to become the mother of God. Visit the home of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s workshop, Mary’s Well and the Synagogue where Jesus preached. Drive to Cana, where Christ performed his first miracle and where any married couples can renew their marriage vows. Proceed to your hotel on the Sea of Galilee for overnight.
JAN 04: THE SEA OF GALILEE AND UPPER GALILEEIn the morning, we cross the Sea of Galilee by boat from Tiberias to Capernaum, now in ruins but once a thriving town where Peter lived and where much of the public ministry of Christ took place. See the Church of the Primacy of Peter, where Christ confirmed Peter as Head of the Church and we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Christ taught the Eight Beatitudes to his Disciples. Mass will be celebrated at the Mount of Beatitudes. Proceed to Tabgha, the place of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish. Continue to the ruins of Magdala where Mary Magdalene lived. In the afternoon, drive to the Golan Heights in Upper Galilee. Return to the River Jordan where a Baptismal Service can be arranged. Return to your hotel.
JAN 05: ALL THE PAST YEARS WITH HISTORY / NEWARKMorning departure from Tiberias to continue to Haifa, visiting Mount Carmel and the Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, where Mass will be celebrated, and the Cave of the Prophet, Elijah. Proceed along the shores of the Mediterranean to CaesareaMartima on the Plains of Sharon to visit the ruins of the Crusader's City, surrounded by a moat and a city wall enclosing the ruins of the Roman city. Visit the Roman Theater. Proceed to Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.
JAN 06: NEWARK Arrive Newark in the morning, local time.
**Mass will be celebrated daily in one of the Holy Places***
MASS WILL CELEBRATED DAILY!
$3549.00 - From Newark
Taxes, tips and travel to Newark airport is not included.
Single supplement for our Holy Land Pilgrimage is $775 - and is VERY limited - if you are traveling alone and wish to be in your own room reserve early!
Download the Holy Land Pilgrimage flyer to register or give to a friend! - coming soon!
If you would like to sign up for our free weekly e-mail with Dr. D'Ambrosio's commentary on the Sunday readings, updates on where Dr. D will be speaking, a chance to WIN a FREE CD and MORE, be sure to CLICK HERE!
Patricia D'Ambrosio talks about her experience on the Holy Land Pilgrimage with her family!
Do you have questions about safety in the Holy Land?
What was it like traveling with people of all ages?
So - What exactly will the Holy Land Pilgrimage be like?!
