10Days

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Come See and Scripture Will Come Alive

Spiritual Director: Fr. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R.

November 26 - December 5, 2023

US112821

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Come See and Scripture Will Come Alive

Spiritual Director:
Fr. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R.

Nov 26 - Dec 5, 2023

US112821

slider

Tel Aviv · Caesarea · Stella Maris (Haifa) · Nazareth · Cana · Tiberias · Sea of Galilee · Jordan River · Mt. Tabor · Jericho · Jerusalem · Temple Model · Ein Karem · Bethlehem · Bethany · Dead Sea · Mt. of Olives · Gethsemane · Mt. Zion · (Upper Room) Western Wall · Via Dolorosa · Church of the Holy Sepulchre

About Father Joseph Lehman, TOR, Ph.D.: Father Joseph Lehman, TOR, is the minister provincial of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Franciscans of the Third Order Regular, comprised of about 100 priests and brothers. Among his duties, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Franciscan University of Steubenville and St. Francis University, in Loretto, Pennsylvania. Prior to his appointment as minister provincial, he served as vice president for Mission Integration at Saint Francis University, overseeing campus-wide initiatives to integrate the school's Catholic and Franciscan character into daily campus life. A native of Dallas, Texas, Father Lehman graduated in 1984 with an accounting degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. After working at KPMG as a certified public accountant, he entered the Franciscan Third Order Regular and was ordained to the priesthood in November 1996. Father Lehman received his PhD in Higher Education from Boston College in 2014. His dissertation, "Mission Officers in Catholic Higher Education: Responsibilities and Competencies," addressed the need to preserve and advance the Catholic identity of Catholic higher education institutions. Among his publications, he co-authored a mission officer handbook for advancing Catholic identity and university mission. In 2006, on the tenth anniversary of his priesthood, he hiked the Camino de Santiago with Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville.


Fr. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R.


DATES & PRICES
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Your trip includes

Itinerary

Day 1, Sun, Nov 26: Depart for the Holy Land

Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight. Your meals will be served on board.

Day 2, Mon, Nov 27: Arrive in Tel Aviv

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrivals Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv to check-in. Enjoy dinner at the hotel before retiring for the evening.

Day 3, Tue, Nov 28: Tel Aviv - Caesarea - Stella Maris (Haifa) - Nazareth - Cana - Tiberias
Theme: The Annunciation

Depart Tel Aviv to Caesarea Maritima, one of the three largest ports in the Roman world, next to Alexandria and Piraeus "Athens", which were built by Herod the Great between 21 B.C. and 9 B.C. It was in Caesarea where St. Peter baptized the first gentile convert Cornelius, and where St. Paul gave his defense of the Church. From here, we will see the Roman Theater, Herod's Palace, view the Hippodrome, and the harbor from where St. Paul sailed on his journeys. Continue north to Haifa, located on Mt Carmel, where we will visit the Carmelite Shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mt Carmel, and pray at the cave which Elijah the prophet took refuge. Continue on to Nazareth for lunch, and then visit the Church of the Annunciation. Visit the museum and archaeological garden where we can see the remains of Nazareth at time of Christ, as well as St. Joseph's workshop - which is now known as St. Joseph's Church. Within the Church of the Annunciation, you will make our way down to the Grotto to see the remains of the house of the Blessed Mother, and where the Angel of the Lord announced the good news to Mary. Celebrate Mass in this Church, and then continue on to Cana. It was here that Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine. During your visit at the Wedding Church, married couples will have the chance to take part in the ceremony and renew their wedding vows. From there, we continue on to Tiberias, located on Sea of Galilee, for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Wed, Nov 29: Tiberias: Sea of Galilee
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee

Today, begin with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a boat ride on the beautiful and scenic Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1). Upon docking the boat, you will have the opportunity to view the remains of a boat that dates back to the time of Jesus. Following the Sea of Galilee, we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus proclaimed His great Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49). Near the Mount, is Tabgha, one of Jesus' miracle sites. At Tabgha, Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish (Luke 9:10-17). Also, in Tabgha is St. Peter's Primacy where Jesus bestowed Church leadership upon Peter (John 21:9). Continue to visit the birthplace of Mary Magdalene in Magdala. During the time of Jesus, this village was a prosperous fishing village that exported fish and garum (a fish sauce reduction; popular in Roman cooking). Your day concludes at Capernaum, the launching place of Jesus' ministry. In Capernaum, see the Synagogue where Jesus taught (Mark 1:21-29) and gave His sermon on the Bread of Life. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Day 5, Thu, Nov 30: Jordan River - Mt. Tabor - Jericho - Jerusalem
Theme: The Transfiguration

After breakfast, drive to the site of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1-50). At this site, you will have some time to reflect on Christ's Humanity and Divinity. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration and then continue south towards the Jordan Valley, to the oldest inhabited city in the world, Jericho (Joshua 6:12-25). In Jericho, you view the exact location, the Mount of Temptation, where the Devil tempted Jesus during his forty-day fast (Luke 4:1). Following the visit to this mountain, continue to Jesus' baptismal site on the River Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). After some time at the Jordan River, you will transfer to Jerusalem to check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6, Fri, Dec 1: Jerusalem: Temple Model - Ein Karem - Bethlehem
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity

This morning, enjoy breakfast before we start our day in Jerusalem, which houses the temple to which Jesus was Presented (Luke 2:22). Visit a model of the Second Temple as it was in the time of Jesus. Following this visit, you will take a short drive to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. It is known that there are two Churches in Ein Karem, representing the two homes of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The first is in a valley where the birth of St. John the Baptist is commemorated (Luke 1:39-80) in the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The second is on a hill where Elizabeth spent five months in seclusion (Luke 1:24) at the Church of the Visitation. You will have a chance to visit both of these Churches and have the opportunity to pray the Mystery of the Rosary as you walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. In the afternoon, transfer to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. In Bethlehem, you will have the opportunity to view the Shepherd's Fields (Luke 2:8). In the caves of these fields, you are still able to see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm. The tour concludes at the Manger Square, which stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the Church, you will proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Our Savior's birth (Matthew 2:1-18). Beneath the altar, there is a silver star and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Following Mass in this Sacred space, return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Day 7, Sat, Dec 2: Bethany - Dead Sea
Theme: Early Years in Jerusalem & the Wilderness

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will travel down the Jordan Valley to Qumran. Qumran is made up of 2,000 year old ruins from the days of the Second Temple and also the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written and discovered (Ezekial 47:8-10). These writings have helped further the understanding of Jewish background in Christianity. Time and weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to take a float in the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest spot on Earth. Continue as you travel through the Judean wilderness, the site where Jesus spent His 40 days of fasting. The day of touring culminates with a transfer to Bethany. Bethany is the site where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead which foreshadows His own Resurrection (John 11:38-44). Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Day 8, Sun, Dec 3: Jerusalem: Mt. Of Olives - Gethsemane - Mt. Zion (Upper Room) - Western Wall
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden

After breakfast, you will make your way to the Mount of Olives, where you will be able to take in the beautiful, panoramic view of Jerusalem. Historically, the Mount of Olives was a mandatory transit point for Jesus during many iconic moments. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord's Prayer (Pater Noster) (Luke 11:1-4). You will have the opportunity to stop at Dominus Flevit which is a Church that commemorates where Jesus wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Continue on to Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus brought His disciples here to pray the night before He was crucified (Luke 22:29-53). The Garden still contains trees with roots that date back to the time of Jesus. Your next stop, the Church of All Nations, is built over the "Rock of Agony". This is where Jesus prayed alone on the night of His arrest. Throughout this time, you are invited to remain in prayer and to reflect on Christ's agony that He experienced. You will have the opportunity to visit the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Jewish Temple after it was destroyed in 70 A.D. Continue with a visit to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas (Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu). This Church commemorates where Jesus was examined and eventually imprisoned before the Council in Jerusalem. It also commemorates Peter's Denial of Christ (John 18:15-18), Peters' repentance, and Jesus' forgiveness of Peter. You will also visit the Upper Room on Mt. Zion. The Upper Room is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) and where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Death and Resurrection (Mark 16:14). In addition, visit the nearby Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Tradition tells us that this Church is where Mary, the Mother of Jesus, "fell asleep." At the end of this prayerful day, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Day 9, Mon, Dec 4: Jerusalem: Via Dolorosa - Holy Sepulchre
Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection

This morning you will have a very early wake-up to begin the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress. This is the spot where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-19:16). Following His condemnation, He was taken (on the Road to Calvary) to His place of Crucifixion. Reflect upon the Stations of the Cross as you travel through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Luke 23:26-33). This sacred destination is the site of Calvary (Jesus' crucifixion place) and His tomb (Luke 23: 50-55). Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Following Mass, we will return to the hotel to enjoy breakfast. You will continue your day with a visit to the Church of St. Anne's, the home of Jesus' maternal grandparents (Anne and Joachim); and the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man (John 5:1-9). This afternoon, enjoy a revisit to the Old City. Following this visit return to the hotel to enjoy dinner and an overnight at your hotel.

Day 10, Tue, Dec 5: Return Flights Home

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for return flights home.

Why buy "With Airfare" from 206 Tours

  • 1000’s of flights are being cancelled. 206 Tours will assist getting you to your destination.
  • Your transfer will be waiting for you upon arrival, even if your flights are rescheduled.
  • In the event your tour is not operating we will refund you all your money back or provide a full credit
  • Your seats will be assigned according to your request (most online fares do not include seat assignment appox. $300)
  • If you need to travel few days prior or stay few days later, make a stop-over, we will arrange it for you.

If you do not buy Airfare from 206 Tours

  • With many flight cancellations and overbookings, we feel that you should know:
    If your flight is cancelled - 206 Tours will not be able to assist you.
  • In order to guarantee your arrival and departure transfer, we need your detailed flight arrival / departure by 45 days prior, Any changes within 45 -3 days prior, additional transfer cost may apply.
  • For changes in arrival / departure within 3 days of departure, we will not be able to rebook your transfer and you will need to make your own way to / from hotel or airport at your own cost
  • Often times low online fares, do not include seat assignments ($300 approx.). It will be a challenge to get a good seat assigned at the airport.
  • If you book your own airfare, travel insurance provided by 206 Tours will not reimburse expenses caused by your flight changes.

Book your trip now

$400 Deposit is due at the time of Registration

USD
Dates & Prices

Dates

Select airport

Booking

Options & Upgrades

*All pricing is per person

Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic (One-Way) Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic (Round-Trip) Upon Request

Pre Stay - Overnight Hotel & Breakfast

*All pricing is per person

Tel Aviv - 2 people are sharing a room $219.00 (USD)

Tel Aviv - 1 person alone in a room $409.00 (USD)

Tel Aviv Airport Transfer $98.00 (USD)

Post Stay - Overnight Hotel & Breakfast

*All pricing is per person

Jerusalem - 2 people are sharing a room $225.00 (USD)

Jerusalem - 1 person alone in a room $419.00 (USD)

Jerusalem Airport Transfer $91.00 (USD)



Options and upgrades

*All pricing is per person

Single Supplement / Solo Traveler Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic (One-Way) Upon Request

Business Class Trans-Atlantic (Round-Trip) Upon Request

Pre Stay - Overnight Hotel & Breakfast

*All pricing is per person

Tel Aviv - 2 people are sharing a room $219.00 (USD)

Tel Aviv - 1 person alone in a room $409.00 (USD)

Tel Aviv Airport Transfer $98.00 (USD)

Post Stay - Overnight Hotel & Breakfast

*All pricing is per person

Jerusalem - 2 people are sharing a room $225.00 (USD)

Jerusalem - 1 person alone in a room $419.00 (USD)

Jerusalem Airport Transfer $91.00 (USD)

About Your Trip

  • Tel Aviv
  • Caesarea
  • Nazareth
  • Cana
  • Tiberias
  • Sea of Galilee
  • Jordan River
  • Mt. Tabor
  • Jerusalem
  • Gethsemane
  • Ein Karem
  • Bethlehem
  • Qumran
  • Dead Sea
  • Mt. Zion
  • Holy Sepulchre
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.

View our other Pilgrimages

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We promise to do all within our power to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us, please note should any problems arise during your trip you should first contact your local emergency contact in your destination country or the 206 Tours.

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