THE HOLY LAND, EGYPT AND JORDAN

Pilgrimage under spiritual leadership of
Father Octavio Beltran
Pastor of St Thomas Moore Church – Toronto

October 29 - November 11, 2009 - 14 days
SOLD OUT

Oct 29

Depart Toronto via Paris for Cairo.

Oct 30

Arrive Cairo, Transfer to our hotel, dinner and overnight.

Oct 31

Full day sightseeing tour of Cairo visiting the Pyramids, Sphinx, the museum housing the treasures of King Tutankhamen. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Nov 01

In the morning we visit the ancient Cairo. The “Hanging Church “of Mary, the mosque and later continue to St Catherine for dinner and overnight.

Nov 02

For those that are interested, early morning wake up to climb Mt Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Return to hotel for breakfast and a visit to the monastery of St Catherine. Set beneath the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. St Catherine Monastery has been one of the world’s great centres of religious pilgrimage for over 15 centuries. We shall have the opportunity to see the “Burning Bush” at the monastery. After our visit we continue to Taba (the Red Sea) for dinner and overnight.

Nov 03

Breakfast in Taba. Later we cross the border between Egypt and Jordan. Stop in Wadi Rum to view one of the most beautiful desert sites. This is where the movie “Lawrence of Arabia” was made, continue to Petra for dinner and overnight.

Nov 04

Full day visit of Petra where we will tour this fantastic pink stone city, on foot into the narrow canyon that leads to the Red Rock. Our tour includes visit to Khazneh, the small temple, the Roman Amphitheatre and the caves in the rock between dozens of imposing obelisks and monuments. Dinner and overnight in Petra.

Nov 05

After breakfast we cross into Israel – The Holy Land. Visit Masada and the Dead Sea Scrolls, swim in the Dead Sea and continue to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Nov 06

Today’s journey takes us to the ancient city of Jerusalem. St Ann’s Church, Pool of Bethesda, Pilate’s Judgement Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo, the Convent of the Sisters of Zion. Continue with the Stations of the Cross – Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre. Mass will be celebrated in one of Jerusalem’s churches. In the afternoon we continue with the Old City visiting the “Wailing Wall” also called the Western Wall and the Mosque of Omar and El Aksar.

Nov 07

This morning we visit Bethlehem – where Jesus was born, celebrating Christmas Mass in one of the Grottos, visit the Manger, Crusaders Cloister and the Grotto of St Jerome. In the afternoon we continue our visit of Jerusalem visiting the Church of Pater Noster, Mt Zion, St Peter in Galicantu and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Nov 08

After breakfast we depart to Galilee. We start our tour in Cana - the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Here we celebrate Mass, later visit Nazareth – Basilica of Annunciation, Mary’s Well and St Joseph’s carpentry shop.

Nov 09

Travel by boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaum, home of St. Peter and the site of Christ’s preaching, on to Tabha, see the Church of the Multiplication with its beautiful 5th century fish mosaic and the Church of the Primacy. Celebrate mass in the lovely Chapel on Mount of Beatitudes. In the afternoon ascend Mount Tabor – the Mount of Transfiguration. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Nov 10

Morning visit Haifa and Mt Carmel – “ the burning place” where Elijah called the fire down to confound the prophets of Baal. On to Caesarea, where Paul was imprisoned before sailing to Rome. Continue to Tel Aviv airport for our flight to Paris. Late evening arrival in Paris and overnight at one of the airport hotels.

Nov 11

Depart Paris for Toronto.