Join Fr. Timothy Backous, OSB Headmaster

From Saint John’s Prep on a Pilgrimage To...

The Holy Land

February 26-March 7, 2010

 $2,693 from New York—(price includes all airport taxes)

$2,793 from Minneapolis—(price includes all airport taxes)

Group Coordinator:   Brenda Brown with  Arrangements by 206 Tours

Prep Headmaster, Fr. Tim Backous, has traveled to the Holy Land several times and is looking forward to sharing this special place with you! If you are at all interested in this amazing opportunity, please contact Brenda Brown 320-363-2098 or Fr. Tim Backous 320-363-3318 as soon as possible. This trip will be limited to the first twenty participants and the trip is filling up fast!  

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:

Round-trip air from New York or Minneapolis

(add on airfares from other US cities to the price from New York www.pilgrimages.com/addon)

Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharge fees

Accommodations for 7 nights at first class hotels in Israel (or similar)

       Feb 27-28:         ~ 1 night:  Blue Bay in Netanya

       Feb 28-Mar 02:  ~ 2 nights: Golden Crown, Nazareth

       Mar 02-Mar 06:  ~ 4 nights: Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem

Transfers as per itinerary

Breakfast and Dinner daily

Assistance of local guide

Sightseeing & admissions fees as per itinerary

Catholic Priest as Spiritual Director

Arrangements for Mass daily & spiritual activities

Luggage handling (1 piece per person)

Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Not Included: Lunches, Beverages with dinners, Travel Insurance optional at $149 Tips to your guide & driver ($ 7-9 per day)

Sample Day by Day Itinerary:

Friday, February 26 Day 1 - USA - Tel Aviv

Begin your spiritual journey as we depart for the overnight flights to Tel Aviv.

Saturday, February 27 Day 2 - Tel Aviv - Mediterranean Coast

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Exit terminal at the sign marked "groups" and meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel on the coast.  Dinner and overnight.

Sunday, February 28 Day 3 - Galilee:  Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Stella Maris, Cana, Nazareth, Basilica of the Annunciation

We travel via the coast to Caesarea, where the Romans held Paul prisoner. Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive through the Carmel Mountains heading for the Galilee. In Haifa, visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. Continue to Mukhraka where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order was started. Drive to Cana, the village of Jesus' first miracle of changing water into wine; here couples may renew their wedding vows. Continue to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Monday, March 01  Day 4 - The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee: Tiberias, Boat ride on Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi

Some of today's highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter's house, a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told " Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy or Mt Beatitudes. In the afternoon we visit Caesarea Philippi, location of the testimony of St. Peter and where Jesus answered him "You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my Church."

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in the Galilee.

Tuesday, March 02  Day 5 - Jordan River & Mt Tabor

We start the day by going remembering our Baptism at the Jordan River.  Continue to Mount Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration, where we will have Mass. Drive down the Jordan Valley and head towards Jerusalem.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Wednesday, March 03  Day 6 - Jerusalem and Bethlehem: Mt Olives, Church of Visitation, Shepherd's Fields, Church of the Nativity

On the first day in Jerusalem we present an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4000 years of history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem such a unique city to the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the 'Magnificat'. In the afternoon we drive to the Shepherd's Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born.  Mass in Bethlehem or the Shepherds Fields.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Thursday, March 04  Day 7 - Jerusalem, The Passion of Jesus' Last Hours: Mt Olives, Palm Sunday, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption, Pater Noster

We begin our day with a visit to the Mt. of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Then to Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed His last prayer before his arrest. Visit the cave of betrayal then the cave of Assumption of Mary to heaven.  Back on the Mt of Olives we visit the Pater Noster with the Lords Prayer in many languages, and the Ascension from where ascended to Heaven.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Friday, March 05  Day 8 - The Way of the Cross:  Via della Rosa, St Anne's Church, Ecce Homo, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Wailing Wall, Upper Room, Dormition

Early in the morning we retrace the last steps of Jesus. As we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass.  After breakfast at our hotel we return to the Old City of Jerusalem 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 place for Jews.  Nearby is the Dome of the Rock and the Haram al Sharif or Temple Mount.  We exit at Mt Zion. At the Cenacle we visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper. Next we go to Dormition Abbey where we believe the Blessed Mary died. We end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him thrice.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Saturday, March 06 Day 9 - The Wilderness: Bethany, Jericho, Mt Temptation, Dead Sea

We begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The desert east of Jerusalem is rich in Christian tradition. Further east, just off the Roman road that Jesus 'walked', is Wadi Qelt gorge, site of the Monastery of St George. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. On the way back there is time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. In the afternoon, there will be time for you to revisit some of your favorite sites and time for last minute buying of gifts for your loved ones. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner with wine and soft drinks before transferring to the airport for our return flight.  Our flight departs at 12:40AM on March 7th. We must be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure.

Sunday March 07  Day 10 - Tel Aviv - USA

This morning we arrive back in the United States.

Click here to download a PDF version of the flyer

 For information contact:  Brenda Brown  320-363-2098  BBROWN@CSBSJU.EDU  

or  Fr. Timothy Backous  320-363-3318

Or to book contact: Kristin from 206 Tours  kristin@206tours.com  800-206-8687  ext. 113

Single Room ($618)  Please note single rooms are limited    Business class upgrade $2,900 round trip