Join, Immaculée Ilibagiza, a living example of faith put into action on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Immaculee’s life was transformed dramatically during the Rwandan genocide where she and seven other women survived hidden for 91 days with seven other women in a small bathroom (3 feet (0.91 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide). The bathroom was concealed in a room behind a wardrobe in the home of a Hutu pastor. During the genocide, most of Ilibagiza’s family was killed by Hutu Interahamwe soldiers: her mother, her father, and her two brothers Damascene and Vianney. Besides herself, the only other survivor in her family was her brother Aimable, who was studying out of the country in Senegal and did not know the war was going on. In Left to Tell Ilibagiza shares how her Roman Catholic faith guided her through her terrible ordeal, and describes her eventual forgiveness and compassion toward her family's killers.
Ilibagiza speaks all over the world and is the recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi Reconciliation and Peace Award.
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YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
† Round-trip airfare to Israel
*Fares from other US or Canada Airports
*You may book without airfare (land only option)
† All Airport Taxes, Security Fees & Fuel Surcharges
† Accommodations for 8 nights at Deluxe 5 Stars Hotels: (or similar)
~ Nov 15 - 16 / 1 night: Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
~ Nov 16 - 18 / 2 nights: Leonardo Plaza, Tiberias
~ Nov 18 - 23 / 5 nights: Dan Jerusalem, Jerusalem
† Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily
† Wine and Mineral Water with ALL dinners
† Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
† Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
† Assistance of a professional Christian guide(s) throughout
† Wi-Fi available on Motor Coach
† Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Direction
† Mass daily & Spiritual Activities
† Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
† Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
*Renew Wedding Vows in Cana: Pilgrim couples will have a special opportunity to renew wedding vows - Day 3 during Mass
Not Included: Lunch on the 13th, Tips to your guide & driver
Optional:
Travel Insurance: www.206tours.com/insurance, Extended Cancellation Protection Plan $299
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*Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:
Day 1, Friday, Nov 14: DEPART FOR TEL AVIV
Our journey begins as we depart from our hometown for our flight to Tel Aviv. Meals are served in-flight.
Day 2, Saturday, Nov 15: ARRIVE TEL AVIV
On arrival in Tel Aviv you will be met and transferred to the Dan Panorama hotel on the Mediterranean coast. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Welcome Meeting at 6:30 pm – Level H
Dinner at 8:00 pm
Day 3, Sunday, Nov 16: NAZARETH, CANA
Theme: The Annunciation
Exclusive 206 Tours Bus |
This morning after breakfast leave up the Mediterranean coast and then inland to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child (Matthew 2:23). Visit the Church of the Annunciation to Mary (Luke 1:26-35), the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. View the site where Jesus was rejected (Matthew 13:54-58). End the day at Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother [John 2:1-11]. There visit the Franciscan Chapel where those who wish to can perform the renewal of their wedding vows. Drive to the Leonardo Plaza hotel in Tiberias.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 4, Monday, Nov 17: TIBERIAS: SEA OF GALILEE
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
The day starts with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1). Then visit the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49). Nearby is Tabgha where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17), and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. Here, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples (John 21) and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” [John 21:9]. A short drive away is Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry (Matthew 4); see the synagogue where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21-29) and the Church built over the site of Peter’s home.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 5, Tuesday, Nov 18: MT. TABOR / SAMARIA / SEBASTIA /JACOB’S WELL
206 Tours Pilgrims Cross
This is a gift exclusively to all Pilgrims in the Holy Land. The shape of the Cross is a replica of a Byzantine Cross that early Christians used to wear around the time of Queen Helena. We have added to the design the loaves & fishes. |
Theme: The Transfiguration & JESUS IN SAMARIA
Today, after breakfast, start the day by then drive to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-50), with time to reflect on Christ’s Humanity and Divinity. Mass here will be a good preparation for the journey to Jerusalem where Jesus was to suffer the crucifixion and resurrection. Mass here will be at the Basilica. Then head south to Samaria, a land rich in Old Testament history, passing Jenin, where Jesus healed the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19). Enjoy lunch at Sebastia, ancient Shechem (Genesis 12:6), and rebuilt by Herod as the capital of the region. Then we see the twin peaks of Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal, known in the Old Testament as Mt. Blessing and Mt Cursing (Joshua 8:30-35). Mt Gerizim is today the home of the few remaining Samaritans. We stop at Jacob‘s Well, hewn out of solid rock over 100 feet deep. As it is manually dug out it is most certainly the same well mentioned in the Gospel of John. The water at the bottom of the well is fed by flowing water which is why ancients gave it the name of “living water”. It is at this well that Jesus met the Samaritan woman and said to her: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14). Many pilgrims today like to drink from the well. Then head to Jerusalem through the beautiful Levonah valley, referred to in (Judges 21:19) as the Valley of the Dancers and passing Shiloh, where the Ark of Covenant was kept (Joshua 18:1). On the way to Jerusalem see examples of ancient watchtowers (Mark 12:1-12). Check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 6, Wednesday , Nov 19: / QUMRAN/ JORDAN RIVER / DEAD SEA
Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem, the Wilderness & The Baptism
Jordan Valley to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Then to Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world (Joshua 6:12-25), where we view Mt Temptation (Luke 4:1) and the Sycamore Tree (Luke 19:1-10). Drive through the Judean Wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and it is in this area that John the Baptist (Mark 1) lived and baptized Christ. After lunch visit the Baptismal site on the River Jordan ( Matthew 3: 13-17) and continue to the Dead Sea (Ezekiel 47:8-10) with time to fexperience the salty waters. Return to Jerusalem.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 7, Thursday, Nov 20: BETHLEHEM
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity
Begin the day with a visit to the Second Temple scale model for an overview of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Jesus. A short drive takes us to the village of Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, to visit the Church that commemorates his memory (Luke 1:39-80). Pray the Mystery of the Rosary on the walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. After a break for lunch on our own drive to Bethlehem to see the cave at the Shepherds’ Fields, (Luke 2:8). The caves have soot marks of the fires that shepherd’s lit to keep warm while watching over their flocks. In the afternoon we will depart to Bethlehem, beginning at Manger Square, which stands in front of one of the oldest of Christian Churches, the Church of the Nativity. Enter the Church and down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the Altar, there is a silver star with the Latin inscription: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.)
After Mass at the Church of St. Catherine return to the hotel in Jerusalem.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 8, Friday, Nov 21: MT. OF OLIVES, Mt ZION
Theme: Palm Sunday, the Agony in the Garden
From the Upper Room (Matthew 26:17 – 30), we will make our way to the Mount of Olives, and take in the panoramic view of Jerusalem. Stop at Gethsemane, where we reflect on Jesus’ final night (Luke 22:29-53). The Garden contains trees, the roots of which go back to the time of Jesus. Visit the Church of All Nations to pray at the “Rock of Agony,” a section of bedrock identified as the place where Jesus prayed alone in the garden on the night of His arrest. Mass at Gethsemane. Following lunch, Then walk down the Palm Sunday Road to stop at the beautiful little Church, Dominus Flevit - “The Lord wept.” It was here that Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). We then enter the Old City, and at the foot of Mt Zion is the Pool of Siloam, which is fed by the Gihon spring and where Jesus healed the blind man on the Sabbath (John 9: 13-14). On Mt Zion we visit the Church of Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Christ (Luke 22: 33 – 34). Return to Hotel for Jerusalem for dinner, lecture, and overnight.
Dinner 6:30 pm
Meeting 7:45 pm
Day 9, Saturday, Nov 22: Sunday in Jerusalem, GETHSEMANE
Early morning start (7.30 AM) to WALK ON THE SACRED GROUND OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT. We remember the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Luke 2: 22) and the confrontation with the money changers (John 2:13). We then make our way to see the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9), which supplied the water for the Temple and where Jesus healed the crippled man. Mass will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Church. After lunch at Notre Dame, we will enjoy a lecture there by Dr. Scott Hahn. Balance of the day is free to explore the Old City.
Dinner 7:30 pm
Day 10, Sunday, Nov 23 : THE CHUCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE
Theme: The Crucifixion & The Resurrection
We leave the hotel at 5.00 am to walk the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross). At the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (John 18:28 – 19:16). From there He was taken through the city to be crucified. The Stations of the Cross lead, through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Luke 23:26-33). Here is the site of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ (Luke 23:50-55), where we celebrate Mass. We return to hotel for breakfast and a rest. Check out of hotel at 12.00 noon and board your coach to head to Qubebeih, thought by some to be the site of Emmaus, where Christ appeared to the two disciples and gave the first Eucharist after the Resurrection (Mark 16:12-13). Evening departure for Tel Aviv airport for your midnight flights to USA.
Day 11, Monday, Nov 24: Return to USA
Meals will be served onboard your flight. Arrive home from your pilgrimage with new friends that you will cherish for the rest of your life, as well as the blessings and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.
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| † First Class Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade |
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| † Children's discounts for children under 12 |
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| † Clergy Discount |
10% |
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*All Upgrades & Options will be available to you after you press the  button above* |
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Additional Information & Travel Tips:
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Any Questions?
To register or for information, contact: Yaritza or Sandra tel: 800-206-TOUR (8687) or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Immaculée' Story:
Immaculée Ilibagiza is a living example of faith put into action. Immaculée's life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide where she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor's house. Immaculée entered the bathroom a vibrant, 115-pound - she emerged weighing just 65 pounds to find most of her family had been brutally murdered.
Immaculée credits her salvage mostly to prayer and to a set of rosary beads given to her by her devout Catholic father prior to going into hiding. Anger and resentment about her situation were literally eating her alive and destroying her faith, but rather than succumbing to the rage that she felt, Immaculée instead turned to prayer. She began to pray the rosary as a way of drowning out the negativity that was building up inside her. Immaculée found solace and peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. Through prayer, she eventually found it possible, and in fact imperative, to forgive her tormentors and her family's murderers.
Immaculée's strength in her faith empowered her to stare down a man armed with a machete threatening to kill her during her escape. She also later came face to face with the killer of her mother and her brother and said the unthinkable, "I forgive you." Immaculée knew, while in hiding, that she would have to overcome immeasurable odds without her family and with her country destroyed. Fortunately, Immaculée utilized her time in that tiny bathroom to teach herself English with only The Bible and a dictionary; once freed she was able to secure a job with the United Nations.
In 1998, Immaculée immigrated to the United States where she continued her work with the UN. During this time she shared her story with co-workers and friends, who were so impacted they insisted she write it down in book form. Three days after finishing her manuscript she met best selling author, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, who, within minutes of meeting her, offered to publish her book. Dyer is quoted as saying, "There is something much more than charisma at work here - Immaculée not only writes and speaks about unconditional love and forgiveness, but she radiates it wherever she goes."
Immaculée's first book, Left to Tell; Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (Hay House) was released in March of 2006. Left to Tell quickly became a New York Times Best Seller. To date it has been translated into fifteen languages worldwide. Immaculée's story has also been made into a documentary titled "The Diary of Immaculée." She has appeared in numerous media including 60 Minutes, CNN, EWTN, The Aljazeera Network, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsday, and many other domestic and international outlets. She was recently featured in Michael Collopy's "Architects of Peace" project, which has honored legendary people like Mother Teresa, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama.
The Holy Land: In the footsteps of Jesus:
If you desire to draw closer to Jesus of Nazareth, come, as we follow in His footsteps. Each day of your pilgrimage you will have time to renew and affirm your faith; to pray and reflect. The Scriptures will come alive as you visit Our Lord's homeland. You will be inspired by the natural beauty of the landscape, in addition to its rich historical heritage It is an encounter that has changed the lives of many pilgrims, an act of faith and prayer. Pilgrims have been traveling to the Holy Land for hundreds of years, and as part of your pilgrimage, we include many of the rich traditions that have evolved over time. The maxim at the entrance to the Church of the Nativity says: “We are hoping that:
If you enter here as a tourist, you would exit as a pilgrim.
If you enter here as a pilgrim, you would exit as a holier one.” We pray that same will occur when you join 206 Tours pilgrimage.
Immaculee Ilibagiza with Cardinal Timothy Dolan |
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The Old City, Jerusalem, Israel |
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| Immaculee Ilibagiza Books |
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Samaria, Israel
333 Marcus Blvd 
