Fr. Lito P. Abad
November 19, 2022
Holy Land
‘Rabbi, where do you live?’
‘Come and see…’ “
John 1:38-39
Following the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land is the spiritual experience of a lifetime. Take your chance to walk where Jesus walked and experience the Bible come alive. You are invited to join a 10-day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Lito Abad leaving on November 19, 2022.
Begin your pilgrimage with a visit to Mount Carmel and visit the small Carmelite monastery on the highest summit of the Carmel range… Muhraka, built on the spot where the prophet Elijah was said to have challenged the priests of Baal. The monastery is not only dedicated to the prophet Elijah but also to Mary, as the Carmelites believe that the verse, “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s and….” (I Kings 18:44), refers to a symbol of the Mother of God seen by a servant of Elijah after the dramatic events of Mount Carmel.
Continue to Nazareth, the place where Jesus spent His childhood. Visit the Basilica of Annunciation, built on the site of the house of Mary and Joseph, where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary announcing the birth of Jesus. Visit St. Joseph’s Church, site of St. Joseph’s workshop.
Leave for Tiberias and visit the Church of St. Peter in Capernaum, the place where Jesus made His first disciples from among the humble local fishermen. Here, Jesus taught in the Synagogue, cured the sick and performed many miracles.
Head off to Jordan River where St. John baptized Jesus. Here, you will have the opportunity to renew your baptismal vows at Yardenit.
Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes to see the panoramic view from the top where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Proceed to Tabgha, the site where Jesus performed many miracles. Visit the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish, built over the site where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Nearby is the Church of the Primacy of Peter, the site of the third appearance of Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection. Here, Jesus prepared a meal for His disciples on what is known as Mensa Christi.
Travel south to the impressive fortress of Masada, set atop a breathtaking rock plateau overlooking the Judean desert. It was constructed by King Herod the Great in around 37 to 31 BC. The events that occurred here denote bravery and self-sacrifice of the Jewish people.
Take a dip in the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Its water is too salty that no living organism can thrive in it and one can literally float without even trying. It is also known to heal one of his skin problems.
Visit Jericho, the oldest city in the world. At the time of Exodus, Jericho was the point of entry of the Israelites (under the leadership of Joshua) into the Promised Land. It was also here in Jericho where the diminutive Zaccheus climbed the sycamore tree to get a glimpse of Jesus. View the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was led by the Spirit on a forty-day retreat after His baptism and prior to His public ministry.
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem to Then, trace the Via Dolorosa (14-Stations of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which was built over the site of the Calvary and the Tomb. The church also houses under its roof “the place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull” as well as the 10th to the 14th stations of the Via Dolorosa.
Afterwards, visit the Church of the Dormition Abbey, traditional site of Mary’s assumption to heaven. Stop at the Coenaculum or the Upper Room, the place where Jesus and His disciples ate the Last Supper and where the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was instituted. This was also the site where the Pentecost took place.
Visit the picturesque hillside village of Ein Karem, meaning “the spring in the vineyard.” Visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, built on the traditional home of Zacharias and Elizabeth. Inside is the Crypt which houses the Grotto of the Benedictus, considered to be the place where John was born. Outside the Church, you will find the “Benedictus” translated in several languages. Up on the slopes of a rocky hill lies the Church of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, an eventful meeting of the Mother of God and the mother of John the Precursor. In front of the Church is a wall with the “Magnificat” written in more than forty languages.
Visit the Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall, where Jews all over the world gather to commemorate the destruction of the first and second temple and pray for Israel’s restoration.
Find a new way of understanding Our Lord’s life. Join a 10-day Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr. Lito Abad leaving on November 19, 2022. May the times spent in prayer and reflection while on pilgrimage, refresh your faith and bring you closer to Jesus.
No Visa is required for Filipino citizens going to the Holy Land.
A Passport with 6-month validity is required.
1) US$ 500.00 deposit is required upon reservations together with a recent passport-size photo, photocopy of passport (valid for 6 months from date of departure) and Pilgrim’s Profile.
2) Full payment in U.S. dollars is required before ticketing but in no case shall it be later than one month before departure date.
3) The following cancellation charges will apply:
>60 days before departure date – US$ 300.00
>45 days before departure date – 50% of the Tour Cost
>30 days prior to departure date – Full tour cost will be forfeited.
BASIC TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airline Taxes, visa fees and documentation expenses, insurance, hospitalization and other medical expenses, tours and transportation during free periods, porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation, drinks and beverages taken during meals, items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, tips for drivers, guides, and other expenses not mentioned in the itinerary terms and conditions.
EXECUTIVE RESOURCES, INC. has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors. Executive Resources, Inc., its employees or its subagents therefore only act as agents for the contractors providing the various services described in the tour and accept no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults or “force majeure”. All tours and arrangements are subject to the general conditions specified by each contractor. Tour itineraries and prices are subject to change without prior notice. When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.
*** RATES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. ***