In the spring of 2023, Ken Hensley and Msgr. Jeffrey Steenson will be leading a group on pilgrimage through the Holy Land.

The Holy Land has often been referred to as the “Fifth Gospel.” And it’s true. The stories of the Gospels that most of us have heard all our lives come alive in a new way once you have seen the places where these stories took place. We begin our pilgrimage next April on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and after visiting the ancient cities of Joppa and Caesarea, where St. Paul was imprisoned for two years, and Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenged the false prophets of Baal, we continue to explore the most important sites associated with Our Lord’s life, ministry, death and resurrection. These include Nazareth, Cana, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi, the Mount of Transfiguration, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, and the site of Our Lord’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. We will also visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and Masada, where the Jews made their desperate last stand in the first-century Jewish-Roman War. We will walk the narrow streets of the Old City of Jerusalem and celebrate Mass in some of the most important and beautiful churches in the Holy Land. Finally, we will walk the Via Dolorosa in the steps of Our Lord in his passion. Please consider joining us! It will be a wonderful time for us to share our stories and forge life-long friendships as we experience the power of walking where Jesus walked and learning about his life up close.

Day 1 – Depart USA

Depart USA on an overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2 – Arrive in Israel | Tel Aviv 

On arrival in Israel, we meet our Tour Guide and proceed to our hotel on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv. Check-in and free time to relax or walk on the beach before our Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 3 – Joppa | Caesarea | Muhraqa | Tiberias 

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our pilgrimage with a visit to St. Peter’s Church in nearby Joppa, where St. Peter raised the disciple Tabitha from the dead, and where the prophet Jonah, centuries earlier, boarded a ship to flee from the Lord. From here, we travel north along the Mediterranean to Caesarea Maritima to explore the magnificent Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader ruins of the city where St. Paul was imprisoned for two years and where St. Peter baptized the first gentile converts to Christianity, the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family. After lunch, we ascend the Carmel Mountain Range, arriving at the site of Muhraqa, where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal. We continue on to Stella Maris on Mt. Carmel, the largest monastery of the Carmelite Order. Here we visit the Cave of Elijah before traveling on to the city of Tiberias on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, our home for the next four nights. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 4 – Nazareth | Cana | Tiberias

This morning we drive to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child, worked with St. Joseph, and grew to manhood. We celebrate Mass at the Church of the Annunciation built over the traditional site of Mary’s home, where the words of the Angel Gabriel were first spoken: “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” We will also visit the nearby Church of St. Joseph’s Workshop. After lunch, we continue to the village of Cana where Our Lord performed his first miracle, turning water into wine. Here we remember His Blessed Mother’s words, “Do whatever He tells you.” We return to Tiberias for free time, dinner, and overnight. (B, D)

Day 5 – Mount of Beatitudes | Caesarea Philippi | Tabgha | Peter’s Primacy

After breakfast, we drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes for Mass and a time of reflection. We continue from there to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus spoke those historic words, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church.” We drive through the Golan Heights to view the Syrian border. Lunch at the Rin Lebanese Druze Restaurant in a Druze Village in Mesada is included, before returning to Galilee to Visit Tabgha, Where Jesus Multiplied the loaves and fishes, and the site of Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep.” Dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B, D)

Day 6 – Capernaum | Sea of Galilee | Magdala 

We begin today by visiting the archaeological site of the city of Caperaum, where Jesus began his Galilean ministry, called many of his disciples, and performed many miracles. Here we celebrate Mass, see the site of Simon Peter’s home and stand in the first-century synagogue where Jesus said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever.” After lunch at St. Peter’s Fish, we take a brief excursion on the Sea of Galilee followed by a visit to the Magdala Center to see one of the best-preserved first-century synagogues in all of Israel. Return to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and relaxation. (B, D)