In the Footsteps of Jesus and His Early Disciples: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Father Frank Silva and Father Michael Hobson invite you to join them on an inspiring pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Many people regard the Holy Land as a 5th Gospel, where the people, places, and events of the scriptures come to life. Much of Israel looks as it did in the 1st century, making it easy to imagine Jesus early ministry. Our program brings us first to the Galilee region where we visit Jesus’s hometown of Nazareth and we explore settlements along the Sea of Galilee where he first called his disciples. We journey south to Jerusalem to follow Jesus’s pilgrimage to the temple during the Jewish holidays and will walk in the footsteps of his passion, death, and resurrection on the Via Dolorosa and at the Holy Sepulchre. Throughout the program we will celebrate liturgy at historical venues where countless pilgrims before us have come to pray. Our program includes 4-star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, and the full-time services of a local expert guide. Come join us for a memorable and life-transforming journey.

Program Itinerary

Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Depart on overnight flight from Boston to Tel Aviv.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Arrival. Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to Tiberias/Sea of Galilee. If the flight arrives earlier in the day, there may be an opportunity to visit a site enroute – such as Caesarea Maritima or Mt. Carmel. Otherwise, people will have an opportunity to relax from the overnight flight, freshen up, unpack and then enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight Kinneret/Sea of Galilee.

Thursday, March 9, 2023
Breakfast. Travel to nearby Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church (where we will celebrate Eucharist). Visit either the excavations under the Sisters of Nazareth guesthouse (a 1st century house which would have been similar to that of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) or the excavations at Sipphoris (an ancient Roman town nearby). Travel to nearby Cana for a visit to the church the commemorates Jesus’s miracle. Celebrate marriage renewal here. Before returning to hotel,visit the excavations at Magdala – a new site with ancient synagogue and other foundations. This wouldcertainly have been one of the places Jesus visited/spent time at. Return to the hotel for dinner/overnight.

Friday, March 10, 2023
Breakfast. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to visit the extensive archaeological site there – St. Peter’s House and the large synagogue. Continue to nearby Tagbha to visit the historic chapels celebrating Jesus’s multiplication of loaves/fishes (with liturgy there). Visit the Mt. of Beatitudes site for a scripture reading/reflection on the Beatitudes. Conclude with a visit to Mt. Tabor – the site of the Transfiguration. Return to hotel for dinner/overnight.

Saturday, March 11, 2023
Breakfast. Travel down the Jordan Valley to Qasr Al-Yahud, the site of Jesus’s Baptism. We will celebrate a Baptism renewal ceremony there. Continue then to Jerusalem. Stop at the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of the Old City and Mass at Dominus Flevit. Depending on time/interest, visit the Western Wall for prayer. Check into hotel with dinner/overnight Jerusalem. 

Sunday, March 12, 2023
Breakfast. Visit the Western Wall, the Temple Mount Area, and the Jerusalem Archaeological Complex. Lunch included in the Old City. There will be either a tour of the Old City neighborhoods or perhaps visit some of the old Jewish archaeological sites (depending on interest). Mass at a site in the Old City to be determined. Another option is the Tower of David Museum (with history of Jerusalem exhibit). Dinner/overnight Jerusalem.

Monday, March 13, 2023
Breakfast. Visit St. Peter in Gallicantu (site of Jesus’s imprisonment and Peter’s denial of Jesus). Continue with a devotional walk along the Via Dolorosa ending at the Holy Sepulchre with Mass. Some free time in the Old City. Dinner/overnight Jerusalem.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Breakfast. Day Excursion to the Dead Sea – including brief stop at Qumran, visit to Masada, and chance to swim in the Dead Sea. Return to hotel for dinner/overnight Jerusalem.

Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Breakfast. Morning visit to Bethlehem to see the Basilica of the Nativity. Return to Jerusalem to visit Ein Karem (Birthplace of John the Baptist) and Abu Gosh (site of Emmaus) where you can have a farewell liturgy. Include a festive farewell dinner in Tel Aviv before a late evening transfer to the airport for your return home.

Thursday, March 16, 2023
Arrival back in Boston today.

Inclusive Features:

Roundtrip flights Boston-Tel Aviv, 7-nights accommodations in centrally located 4-star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, one lunch in the Old City, local transportation via deluxe motorcoach, a full-time local tour manager and guide, and entrances and guided visits per the itinerary

Flight Schedule:

Please note this is subject to change if El Al has a schedule change or flight cancellation. 
 

Complete Program Prices:

Includes group airfare and airport transfers
$4375 per person based on double occupancy
$1050 supplement for single occupancy

Land Only Program Prices:

Excludes all airfare and airport transfers
$3675 per person based on double occupancy
$1050 supplement for single occupancy

+budget an additional $140 for gratuities for hotel staff, motorcoach drivers, local experts and guides, and your tour manager. Fr. Silva will collect this on site for distribution.

Please note: If you have selected double occupancy but no roommate is available due to uneven numbers or if your roommate should cancel you will be in a single room and responsible for the single room supplement.

All prices listed are discounted for payment by check. When paying with a credit card, you will be charged the standard base price, which is 5% higher.

All program prices are based on availability of services at the time registration material is received; currency exchange rates in effect September 8, 2022—and on 2022 land and air tariffs—and are subject to change. All services are provided subject to Illume’s Conditions and Clauses.

The program prices will be reviewed before the invoices for the final payment are mailed, and will reflect the current prices.

Program Registration:

With questions, please contact:

Fr. Frank Silva
fsilva51576@gmail.com

Step 1: Complete the Event Registration Form before October 26, 2022

EVENT REGISTRATION FORM

Step 2: Submit your $1000 deposit check per person to illume not later than October 26, 2022.

Checks should be made payable to illume and mailed to 236 Lewis Wharf, Boston MA 02110. Please include the program number 23.10608 on the memo line.

You will receive a Welcome E-mail from illume after your check is received. You will also receive a link to add optional Travel Insurance/Protection to your program at that time.

Balance of payment due not later than: December 7, 2022

Note: Any changes to the program will be outlined in the final documents which you will receive one month prior to departure. If changes are made that affect the program price, you will receive an invoice or a credit accordingly.

Program No. 23.10608