A Journey of
Faith & Friendship
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
Sample Itinerary
NOTE: This sample itinerary is subject to change and modification.
The Santa Martha Monastery is strategically located near the centre of Jerusalem. Its close proximity to the many holy sites in the modern Israel is enough to entice pilgrims. To date, it has 16 rooms available to pilgrims, some common rooms, recreation rooms, and a chapel. The house has recently been renovated and equipped with the basic essentials for a comfortable stay. To mention a few, each room has its own heater, hot and cold water, modern bathroom, and among others. Its gate is automated and CCTVs have also been installed to monitor the safety of the area.
From Country of Origin to Tel Aviv
Day 1 Arrive at Tel Aviv
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, meet and assist. Proceed via the Van Type Car to Sta. Martha Monastery in Bethany, the hometown of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Day 2 BETHLEHEM | TOMB OF LAZARUS
After breakfast, we proceed to the Shepherd's Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem we kneel in the Grotto the birth place of our redeemer as we celebrate a Mass. We will continue to the Milk Grotto and end our day with a visit to the Tomb where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 3 MT OLIVE | GETHSEMANE |
EIN KAREM
Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Then we visit the Chapel of Ascension and the Paternoster Church. Walk through Dominus Flevit Chapel and the Gardens of Gethsemane. Church of All Nations to the Basilica of Agony where Jesus prayed and sweated drops of blood as he waited to be handled over to the Romans. In afternoon will head onto the hill country, to a city of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist and visit the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the home of Zachariah and Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat' (Luke 1:39-80). Return to Santa Martha Monastery in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 ST. ANNE VIA DOLOROSA |
HOLY SEPULCHER, WAILING WALL |
MT. ZION
In the early morning we retrace the last steps of Jesus. As we walk along the Fourteen Stations of the Via Dolorosa, praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice as he bore the burden of our sins on the Cross at Golgotha. Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. Return back towards St. Stephen Gate to visit St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. We pass the Ecce Homo where Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man”; then the Wailing Wall, the most holy shrine for Jews. Then to the House of Caiphas on the Mt Zion. This was the scene of Jesus’ first trial and here Peter denied the Lord three times. Visit the Room of the Last Supper, King’s David Tomb and the Dormition Abbey. Return to Santa Martha Monastery in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 SEA OF GALILEE
After breakfast, we will have long ride to the Northern part of Israel. We will be on the shore of Capernaum where Peter lived and where Jesus began his public ministry (Matth. 4:13), there he began teaching in its Synagogue, healed a man who had the spirit of an unclean devil and healed a fever in Simon Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:31-41) followed by a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes to gain a panoramic vista of the Sea of Galilee and where one of Jesus' famous teaching episodes Sermon on the Mount was given (Matthew 5-7). Then to Tabgha the fruitful garden where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:30-46), we shall see the magnificent mosaic commemorating the miracle of the multiplication, we head to the nearby Chapel of St. Peter Primacy. Dinner and Overnight in the Oasis Emmanuel Guest House or Similar.
Day 6 NAZARETH | CANA | MT. TABOR (BD)
In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to the village of Cana, scene of Jesus first miracle turning water into wine at the marriage feast. Afterwards we shall head to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration (Matth. 17:1-8). Then to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she will become the mother of Jesus. We will visit the Carmelite Monastery Stella Maris. We will go back to Sta. Martha Monastery for Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 JERICHO, BAPTISMAL SITE |
DEAD SEA
After breakfast, we will drive to Jericho - one of the oldest cities in the world we also stop at the Sycamore Tree which believed that Zacchaeus had climbed up a Sycamore Tree as he wanted to catch a glimpse of this wonderful savior then we will ascend via the cable car to Mt. Temptation where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of Satan. Stop at the Baptismal site for renewal of Vows. After which we will swim in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Sta. Martha Monastery.
Day 8 HOME SWEET HOME
From Santa Martha, we will bring you to Ben Gurion Airport. Home sweet Home.
From Tel Aviv to Country of Origin