Group Leader
About Sr. Magdalit Bolduc:
Sister Magdalit has served as a consecrated sister in the Community of the Beatitudes for 32 years and has earned a Masters in Theology from the University of Strasbourg. Having lived in Israel for 12 years, Sister is fluent in Hebrew, and she has been guiding pilgrimages to the Holy Land for over 22 years. In Denver, she serves as a Spiritual Director and teacher. She developed and teaches a program called “Hebrew Experience” in which she guides Catholics in understanding Jewish identity and the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. In April 2014, Sr. Magdalit was appointed the Liaison to the Jewish Community for the Archdiocese of Denver. In this role she enjoys meeting with members of the Jewish communities, helping them to understand the post-Vatican II Catholic teachings on Judaism. Part of her mission lies in working to root out antisemitism, helping others to see the beauty of Jewish faith and culture.
Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from your desired Airport
- All airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Hotel accommodations: (or similar) in double occupancy
- ~ 4 nights: Sep 16 - 20: Magdala Guesthouse, Migdal, Israel
- ~ 4 nights: Sep 20 - 24: Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Catholic Priest, Mass daily & Spiritual activities
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner daily
- Wine with dinners
- Sr. Magdalit will be your Tour Guide throughout
- Whisper headsets
- Transfers from airport to hotel and v.v.
- Transportation by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach throughout your stay
- Unlimited water on the Bus
- Tips to hotel porters, restaurants and hotel staff
- Free Wi-Fi on the bus and Hotels
- Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
All traveling to Israel and holding foreign passports, are required to apply for ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) • ETA application is available at the Ministry of Interior website: Israel entry https://www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page
Not Included
- Tips to your guide & driver and Visa Entry to Israel.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Monday, September 15: Depart for the Holy Land
Make your way to your local airport, where you will board your overnight flight. Yor meals will be served on board.
Day 2 | Tuesday, September 16: Arrive in Tel Aviv, Drive to Galilee
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Proceed to the Arrival’s Hall, where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. Drive up to Galilee for dinner and overnight. Overnight Galilee.
Day 3 | Wednesday, September 17: Nazareth & Cana
Theme: The Annunciation
This morning, we drive to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s workshop, now a church. Within the Church of the Annunciation, we 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 then continue to Cana. It was here that Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine ( John 2.). During your time at the Wedding Church, married couples will have the chance to take part in a ceremony to renew their wedding vows to each other. At the end of the day we return to the Sea of Galilee region. Overnight Galilee.
Day 4 | Thursday, September 18: The Sea of Galilee
Theme: The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
The day starts with a Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Then to the Mount of Beatitudes, scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Then to Tabgha where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000 and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy”. Here, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” [John 21:9]. Enjoy a lunch of St Peter Fish. A short drive away is Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home. Celebrate Mass in this special place. Overnight Galilee.
Day 5 | Friday, September 19: Mt. Tabor & Mukhraka
Theme: The Transfiguration
This morning, we ascend Tabor (Matthew 17:1-50). At this site, Christ’s Divinity was revealed. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Transfiguration. From the top of Mt Tabor, enjoy a dramatic view the Valley of Armageddon, before driving to Mukhraka; the Monastery here commemorates Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal. Continue to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery with the Madonna of Mt Carmel. Return to Galilee. Overnight Galilee.
Day 6 | Saturday, September 20: Jordan River, Jericho & the Dead Sea
Theme: The Judean Wilderness & The Baptism of Jesus
Following breakfast travel down the Jordan Valley through the Judean wilderness, where Jesus spent 40 days of fasting. We arrive at the Jordan River where He was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17). After renewing our Baptismal Promises, we continue to the oldest inhabited city in the world, Jericho (Joshua 6:12-25). Here, we will celebrate Mass and view the Mount of Temptation, where the Devil tempted Jesus during his forty-day fast (Luke 4:1). South of Jericho is the ancient site of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written and discovered (Ezekiel 47:8-10). These writings have helped further the understanding of the Jewish background to Christianity. Time and weather permitting, you will have the opportunity to take a float in the Dead Sea, the lowest and saltiest place on Earth. Drive to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and an overnight. Overnight Jerusalem.
Day 7 | Sunday, September 21: Jerusalem: Ein Karem & Bethlehem
Theme: The Visitation and Nativity
This morning, we go the village of Ein Karem to visit to the Church of St John the Baptist, which marks his birthplace (Luke 1.5). Nearby is Church of Visitation that commemorates the visit of our Blessed Mother to her cousin, Elizabeth, staying with her for 3 months (Luke 1.39). Many people pray the Mystery of the Rosary as they walk up the hill to the Church. Later drive to Bethlehem to visit the fields where the Angel appeared to the shepherds to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ, (Luke 2:8). Continue to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. We enter the church through the door of humility and proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity, which marks the place of Our Saviour’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 Bethlehem return to the hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and an overnight. Overnight Jerusalem.
Day 8 | Monday, September 22: Mt. Of Olives - Gethsemane - Mt. Zion - Upper Room
Theme: Palm Sunday and the Agony in the Garden
We start the day on the Mount of Olives with a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster) (Luke 11:1-4). Then we walk down the Palm Sunday Road, which reminds us of Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Along this route there stands Dominus Flevit which marks the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Continue down to Gethsemane; it was here that Jesus brought His disciples 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. Next to the garden is the Church of All Nations, built over the “Rock of Agony”, where Jesus prayed alone before His arrest. From Gethsemane Jesus was taken to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas on Mt Zion, where we see the dungeons in which He was imprisoned. Also at this place, marked by the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, is where Peter denied Christ three times and wept bitterly (John 18:15-18), On the upper part of Mt Zion we visit the Upper Room, where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples, (Matthew 26:17-30). Overnight Jerusalem.
Day 9 | Tuesday, September 23: Via Dolorosa - Holy Sepulcher - Tomb of Christ
Theme: The Way of the Cross, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection
Very early this morning we walk together in prayerful procession along the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross). We start at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate (John 18:28-19:16) and receives His cross. We end the procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which marks the place of the Crucifixion & the Resurrection, (Luke 23:26-33). After Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher we return to the hotel for breakfast. Later we return to the Old City to visit to the Church of St. Anne’s, the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Nearby is the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man (John 5:1-9). End the day with a visit the Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Jewish Temple destroyed in 70 A.D. Overnight Jerusalem.
Day 10 | Wednesday, September 24: Depart Jerusalem
Depending on your final destination and availability of flights, you may depart either during the day on September 24th.
*Or leave Jerusalem late in the evening, with a possible arrival in US on September 25th.
*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.
Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?
Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com