A year from now, on October 23, 2023, I hope to accompany parishioners, their families and friends, and others on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Our 2018 Holy Land pilgrimage was the most successful of all the pilgrimages I have led. Over the years, a good number of our parishioners have asked me if I would consider returning to the Holy Land.

This pilgrimage offers eleven days. beginning and ending in Jordan, including seven full days in Israel. In Jordan, we will visit Mount Nebo where Moses glimpsed the promised land in the distance. We will also view the “City of Mosaics” before crossing the border into Jericho, the oldest city in the world. The next two days will be spent in Jerusalem – the highlight of which –  is “the Way of the Cross” which finishes where Jesus was crucified and at the tomb where Jesus was buried and was raised. We spend a day in Bethlehem and tour the newly restored Church of the Nativity. The last time we visited, it was under a great deal of construction.  We will stop in Caesarea where Peter first stated the Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

The next two days we will be in the area around the Sea of Galilee visiting Cana, where Jesus worked his first public miracle, changing water into wine.  We will also see where Jesus fed the thousands with the multiplication of the loaves and fish. We will go to Capernaum where Jesus spent a great deal of time with his disciples. We will visit Nazareth where Jesus lived with Mary and Joseph until his final three years. 

The last two days will be at the Dead Sea in Jordan. We will spend a day in Petra, one of the most famous archeological sites in the world and return home on Friday, Nov. 2, 2023.

Mass will be offered daily, and in most cases, in a chapel at one of the sacred places we visit.  A trip like this enables our community to get to know one another better. The trip is open to anyone who wishes to join us. Our company, Educational Opportunity Tours, can arrange flights from anywhere in the U.S.  Our default departure is our airport in Louisville. 

Look for physical brochures in our churches and a similar online brochure at this link, www.sbsjlou.org/holyland2023. I am happy to answer any questions you may have!

Fr. Gary