Cursillo Holy Land Pilgrimage
w/ Fr Chris Talbot and Fr Paul Ballien
March 24 - April 2, 2025
Price $5,695*
Click pictures for more information
DAY 1: DEPART USA - Begin our pilgrimage to The Holy Land with an overnight flight to Israel.
DAY 2: TEL AVIV / NETANYA - On arrival in Tel Aviv we will be met by our Catholic guide and transferred to the Island Suites Hotel on the Mediterranean coast. Dinner will be served at the hotel. D
DAY 3: CAESAREA / STELLA MARIS (Star of the Sea) / CANA – Our day begins with a visit to Caesarea Maritima and the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman city including Herod The Great’s Palace. Here, Peter baptized the first Gentiles, and Paul set sail for Rome for his future trial and martyrdom. We then travel to Haifa and Stella Maris Church on Mt Carmel to celebrate Mass, have lunch and visit Elijah’s Cave. We continue on to Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine. For those who wish, they may perform the renewal of their wedding vows. On to Magdala Hotel on the Sea of Galilee. B | L | D
DAY 4: SEA OF GALILEE / NAZARETH / MT TABOR - The day starts with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee before visiting Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation and visit the Church of St. Joseph. We then travel to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory. Mass will be at the Basilica designed to represent the three tents Peter, James and John wished to erect. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. B | D
DAY 5: SEA OF GALILEE / CAESAREA PHILIPPI - After breakfast we visit the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of the Sermon on the Mount. visit to the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of the Sermon on the Mount. Then to Tabgha where Jesus fed the 5,000 and on to the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” On to Capernaum where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue dated to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home. We celebrate Mass and then enjoy a lunch of St Peter Fish, before going to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus told St. Peter “You are the Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” B | L | D
DAY 6: JORDAN VALLEY / QUMRAN/ DEAD SEA - After breakfast and Holy Mass at the Duc in Altum Chapel, we depart Galilee and drive south to Jericho, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, to view the Mt of Temptation and see an example of a Sycamore Tree up which Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus. We will then confirm our baptismal vows at the site where John baptized Jesus before visiting Qumran and learn of the Dead Sea Scrolls. After lunch at Qumran, we will have a float in the Dead Sea, before we drive up to the City of David - Jerusalem. Overnight at the Ambassador Hotel. B | D
DAY 7: EIN KAREM / BETHLEHEM – We begin the day with a visit to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. We visit the church commemorating his memory and the Church of the Visitation where Mary prayed the Magnificat. We then drive to see the cave at the Shepherds’ Field which still has soot marks of the fires the shepherds lighted to keep warm. After lunch at the famous “Tent Restaurant,” we will have time to shop for religious items at a local Christian co-op before going to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. We will descend to the Grotto of the Nativity where Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary. After Mass at the Church of St. Catherine we return to the hotel in Jerusalem. B | L | D
DAY 8: MT. OF OLIVES / GETHSEMANE / MT. ZION - We ascend the Mount of Olives to visit the Pater Noster shrine where Jesus taught His disciples The Lord’s Prayer. Walking down the Palm Sunday Road we stop at the beautiful Dominus Flevit Church - “The Lord wept.” We continue to the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations to pray at the “Rock of Agony,” where Jesus prayed on the night of His arrest. From there, we visit Peter in Gallicantu, “Crowing Rooster,” church built over the site of the house of the High Priest Caiaphas and commemorating Peter’s denial of Jesus. After we celebrate Mass, we visit the Upper Room. Return to hotel. B | D
DAY 9: HOLY SEPULCHRE / VIA DOLOROSA / WESTERN WALL - We start our day with an early Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ. We will then transfer back to the hotel for breakfast and some relaxation before continuing our day at St Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda. We then start the Via Dolorosa at the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate. We process through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Lunch on our own in The Old City before we visit the Western Wall. The afternoon is free before our Farewell Dinner. B | D
DAY 10: HOLY LAND > HOME—Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home after a spiritual journey in the footsteps of Jesus. Alternatively, continue your pilgrimage with an extension to Jordan. Shalom and God bless!
Itinerary subject to change
*double occupancy (single supplement $1,200). $5,695 price is budgetary until hotels and airlines publish their prices early 2024. Minimum 25 pilgrims required.
What’s Included
-
Roundtrip airfare from Detroit to The Holy Land
-
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure Tel Aviv airport
-
Porterage at airport and hotels
-
8 overnights at 4 star hotels: The Mediterranean Sea - The Island Suites, The Galilee - The Magdala Hotel, Jerusalem - Ambassador Boutique
-
Daily buffet breakfast and dinners in the hotels, begins with dinner on arrival day and ends with breakfast on departure day.
-
3 lunches including Stella Maris Monastery, “St Peter’s Fish” lunch on the Sea of Galilee, and an authentic Palestinian lunch at The Tent in Bethlehem.
-
7 days sightseeing as per program with Catholic guide
-
Luxury air-conditioned coach w/ Wi-Fi
-
All entrance fees
-
Daily Mass w/ Fr Chris and Fr Paul