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Catholic Pilgrimage Interest Itineraries (7) Day
1: From Jaffa to the Sea of Galilee Jaffa – where St. Peter had his vision on
the rooftop of the House of Simon the tanner (Acts 10:32), raised Tabitha from
the dead (Acts 9:36); Jonah set sail to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3) and King Solomon
built his port (2 Chron. 2:16) on the Mediterranean. Caesarea – the magnificent
ruins of Herod’s showcase port city continue the story of St. Peter, with his
conversion of Cornelius’ household (Acts 10:24). Caesarea
is also the scene of St. Paul’s imprisonment (Acts 23:35), his appearance before
King Agrippa and his departure for Rome (Acts 25:13-26:32). It figures centrally
in the history of early Christianity as home to the Church father Eusebius. The
Carmelite Monastery of Mukhraka – where Elijah called down fire from Heaven (1
Kings 18:19-39). After this miracle, a great drought ended with the appearance
of a small cloud over the sea (1 Kings 18:44), a pre-figuring of St. Mary. Acre
– called Ptolemais when St. Paul visited it (Acts 21:7), a gem of the medieval
world, with its Knights Halls, fishermen’s port, Turkish Bath Museum, bazaar and
ramparts overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Possible venues for Mass: Church of
St. Peter in Jaffa, Carmelite Monastery of Mukhraka; Franciscan Church in Acre.
Day 2: Around the Sea of Galilee and Caesarea Philippi A boat-ride across the
Sea of Galilee in a wooden vessel reminiscent of Jesus’ day. The Ancient Galilee
Boat – a wooden vessel dating back to the days of Jesus in a fascinating display.
Mount of Beatitudes – where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5),
and one of many sites where Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II prayed. The Tabha
Benedictine Monastery Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes – the site of the feeding
of the 5,000 (Matt. 14:13-21). Church of the
Primacy of Peter – site of the miraculous catch of fish (John 21:6), where Jesus
appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection (John 21:7), and of St. Peter’s
reconciliation to Jesus (John 21:15-19). Capernaum – scene of many miracles and
teachings, and known as Jesus’ “own town” (Matt. 9:1), including: The House of
St. Peter – (Mark 1:29) and the Memorial of St. Peter. The Ancient Synagogue –
built over the site where Jesus preached (Mark 1:21). Caesarea Philippi (Banias)
– at the headwaters of the Jordan, where Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men
say that I am” (Mark 8:27) and gave St. Peter the keys to Heaven (Matt. 16:19).
Banias also features the ruins of temples built by Herod and his son Philip (Luke
3:1), and a thundering waterfall. Tiberias – built by Herod Antipas (Luke 13:31)
during Jesus’ ministry, Tiberias is the contemporary capital of the Sea of Galilee,
with many reminders of Bible days. Possible venues for Mass: Mount of Beatitudes;
Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha; Peter’s Primacy; Memorial of St. Peter
in Capernaum; outdoors at Bethsaida; St. Peter’s Church in Tiberias. Day
3: From Armageddon to Nazareth Megiddo – with ramparts, temples, dwellings and
a water system that made it one of the greatest cities of the ancient Near East,
Megiddo became a regional capital of King Solomon (1 Kings 9:15), and is the New
Testament’s Armageddon (Rev. 16:16). Mount Tabor – crowned by the magnificent
Church of the Transfiguration with its brilliant mosaics, this mountain is also
the scene of gathering of the forces of Barak and Deborah (Judges 4:6). Nain –
a charming church graces this picturesque village where Jesus raised the widow’s
son from the dead (Luke 7:11-15). Cana – on the outskirts of Nazareth, here Jesus
performed the first miracle, changing water into wine (John 2:1-11), with the
Wedding Church and the Church of Nathanael (John 21:2). Nazareth
– beautiful churches now grace Jesus’ boyhood home, including Mensa Christi in
an old residential quarter, the Synagogue Church in the market, St. Gabriel’s
Church over the ancient spring, the Church of St. Joseph, and the jewel in the
crown, the Basilica of the Annunciation, with its magnificent representations
of Mary from around the world. Possible venues for Mass: the Basilica of the Annunciation,
the Church of St. Joseph, Cana, Mount Tabor, Nain. Day
4: Jerusalem – The Mount of Olives and Mount Zion Mount of Olives –a magnificent
vantage point of the Holy City, with many important churches marking biblical
sites, including: Paternoster – where Jesus taught the Our Father prayer (Luke
11:1-4). The Dome of the Ascension – the site where Jesus ascended to Heaven
(Acts 1:11). Bethphage – where Jesus began the triumphal entrance to Jerusalem
on Palm Sunday (Luke 19:29). Dominus Flevit – where Jesus wept over Jerusalem
(Luke 19:41). The Garden of Gethsemane – with
its ancient olive trees where Jesus was arrested (John 18:1-12), next to the Church
of All Nations, named for the contributions made by Catholics from around the
world. The church overlooks the Kidron Valley (John 18:1), and is also known as
the Basilica of the Agony, as here Jesus sweated blood in fervent prayer (Luke
22:44). Mount Zion, including: St. Peter in Gallicantu
– with its beautiful mosaics and bronze statuary, built over the ruins of the
house of Caiphas (Matt. 26:57), the stone pit where tradition says Jesus was held,
and the Sacred Staircase, which for centuries has led here from the Kidron Valley.
The Coenaculum – or Room of the Last Supper, built over the site of where Jesus
and the disciples celebrated the first Eucharist (Mark 14:24). Dormition Abbey
– marking the site of the Dormition of Mary, where Mary was taken up to Heaven.
Possible venues for Mass: Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Church of All Nations,
or the Dormition Abbey; St. Peter in Gallicantu, Bethphage. Day
5: Jerusalem – the Via Dolorosa and Ein Karem Via Dolorosa – following the Stations
of the Cross from the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Sisters of Zion Convent,
through the streets of Old Jerusalem to the Judgment Gate and the Tomb of Jesus
in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Pools of Bethesda – where Jesus healed a
paralytic (John 5:2). Church of St. Anne – built over the home of Anne and Joachim,
the parents of Mary. Ein Karem – the “city of Judah” (Luke 1:39), which was birthplace
of John the Baptist, including: Church of the Visitation – where Mary met Elizabeth
and uttered the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Church of St. John – where John the
Baptist was born. Possible venues for Mass: The Franciscan Chapel in the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher; the Church of the Visitation; the Church of St. John. Day
6: Through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea The Judean wilderness – where
John the Baptist preached (Matt. 3:1) and where Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights
(Matt. 4:2). Inn of the Good Samaritan – traditional site of Jesus’ parable (Luke
10:30-37). Qumran – where the Dead Sea Scrolls where discovered. Massada – the
dramatic mountain fortress built by Herod the Great where the Jews made their
last stand against the Romans in the Great Revolt. The Dead Sea – The lowest,
saltiest body of water on earth; the Salt Sea, or Eastern Sea of the Bible (Josh.
15:5; Ezek. 47:18). Possible venue for Mass: Open-air at Qumran. Day
7: Jerusalem – From the Old City to the New The Maronite Catholic Church – near
the Jaffa Gate, with a wonderful view of Jerusalem from the roof. The Convent
of Akeldama– where Judas died, in the Valley of Hinnom (Acts 1:18-19). The City
of David – the most ancient part of the Holy City (2 Sam. 5:7). The Pool of Siloam
– where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9:7). Shrine of the Book – in the Israel
Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Model of Jerusalem – the famed 1:50
model of the way the Holy City looked in Jesus’ day. search terms.
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