Holy Land Pilgrimage Photos
February 10-20, 2008
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mail them to webmaster @stanthonysforestgrove.org.

 

Day 1 & 2: Sunday, 2/10-11 - Portland Airport, The Flights & Tel Aviv Airport -
Click here to view Day 1 photos       Click here to view Day 2 photos

Day 3: Tuesday 2/12 - Click here to view photos
We began today in Ein Kerem, birth place of John the Baptist. We ascended the hill to the Church of the Visitation, where Elizabeth greeted Mary. We enjoyed a spectacular view from the Church of the Visitation. From there, we drove to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, we visited the Shepherd’s fields and St. Catherine’s, where the Bethlehem Christmas Mass is broadcast every year. We spent time at the Church of the Nativity, where we visited the Manger, Crusader's Cloister, the Grotto of St. Jerome and the cave where Christ was born. We celebrated Mass at St. Joseph in Bethlehem.

Day 4: Wednesday 2/13 - Click here to view photos
Today, we drove to the Mount of Olives to visit the Chapel of Ascension and the Church of Pater Noster.  We looked out over Old City Jerusalem and rode camels before descending the Mount of Olives as Jesus did on His Palm Sunday procession. We also visited the Dominus Flevit Chapel where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We had a breathtaking view overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem before proceeding to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the cave of betrayal. We visited the Church of All Nations, the location of the rock of Jesus’ agony in the garden. From there, we visited Dormition Abbey, the Western wall, the Southern steps of the Temple Mount, the City of David, the Church of St. Anne and Pool of Bethesda before stopping to see the newly discovered Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man. We celebrated Mass at Dominus Flevit Chapel.

Day 5: Thursday 2/14 - Click here to view photos
Today we celebrated Mass at the Holy Tomb in the Holy Sepulcher.  After Mass, we visit the tomb where Jesus was buried and raised and also Mt. Calvary.  Then, we made our way to the Old City to walk the Franciscan Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross).  Next, we proceeded to the Shrine of the Book where we saw the Dead Sea Scrolls on display. There, we also viewed the Model City of Jerusalem. We visit the Cenacle or the Upper Room where Jesus had the Last Supper. The Upper Room was modeled after the original which was destroyed in 614 by the Persians and rebuilt in 12th century by the Crusaders.

Day 6: Friday 2/15 - Click here to view Mass photos   Click here to view Other Photos
After Mass, we drove to Masada and ascended by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We saw the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. From there, we proceeded to the excavations of Qumran, the site of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We stopped at the shore of the Dead Sea, 1300 feet below sea level (the lowest spot on earth).  We celebrated Mass at Gethsemane Basilica of the Agony (Church of All Nations).

Day 7: Saturday 2/16 - Click here to view Mass photos     Click here to view Other Photos
We visited the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu (The Cock Crows) to see the place where Jesus was imprisoned and the steps he would have walked on the way to Gethsemane on his last night. We departed Jerusalem and headed north toward Tiberias. Enroute, we stopped at the holy waters of the River Jordan and renewed our own baptismal promises before continuing our journey to Beit She'an, where King Saul and his sons were pinned to the walls. It became the Decapolis Capital visited by Jesus and known as Scythopolis. We saw the ancient theatre, Circus Maximus and Cardo Maximo. We saw, in passing, the Mount of Temptations making our way to our hotel in Tiberias on the shores of Galilee.  We celebrated Mass at the Church of St. Peter Gallicantu.

Day 8: Sunday 2/17 - Click here to view Mass photos    Click here to view Other Photos
Today, we drove to Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. We visited the Church of the Annunciation and saw Mary’s well and Nazareth home.
We also stopped in at the Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth and visited Nazareth Village, a living model of life in the time of Jesus.  We proceeded to Mt. Tabor, site of the Transfiguration before continuing to Cana, the place where Jesus performed his first miracle. Couples renewed their wedding vows at the place where Jesus changed the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. We celebrated Mass at Mount of the Beatitudes.

Day 9: Monday 2/18 - Click here to view Mass photos    Click here to view Other Photos
We enjoyed a lovely boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from the hotel to Capernaum. This is the town where Peter lived and within which Jesus made his base of operations for His Galilean ministry. As we visited the ruins of the town we found out why Jesus focused his ministry here, where ancient Judaism flourished. We visited the Synagogue where Jesus healed and taught, and also Peter’s house. We stopped to see Bethsiada and Chorazin, Galilean towns where Jesus did much of his teaching. From there, headed to the foot of Mt. Herman where we visited Caesarea Philippi (Banias), 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.” One of the three springs that feeds the Jordan River is located here as well. We celebrated Mass at the Church of the Annunciation.

Day 10: Tuesday 2/19 - Click here to view Mass photos      Click here to view Other Photos
This morning we began in Tabgha, location of the miracle of the loaves and fishes and the nearby Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. From there, we drove to Mt. Carmel to visit the location where Elijah called down fire from heaven. Next, we drove along the beautiful Via Maris toward Caesarea. We visited Caesarea Maritime where St. Paul was imprisoned, tried, and sent from this Mediterranean harbor to Rome. There, we saw one of Herod the Great’s palaces and the ruins of the ancient amphitheater next to the ocean.  We drove to TelAviv for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.  We celebrated Mass outside on the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Church of the Primacy of Peter in Tabgha.

Day 11: Wednesday, 2/20
Today we headed home with unforgettable memories, knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians. Such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Christian life.