The Heart of the Holy Land Women’s Pilgrimage

Led by Deacons Holly Galgano and Dorothee Caulfield,
Episcopal Diocese of New York
with
Sister Elizabeth Broyles, Companions of Mary the Apostle

February 9 – 22, 2020

Plus an Optional Extension to Jordan February 21 – 24

This tour will be limited to women & feminine gender-identified participants

Holy Land Tour sites

It is said a pilgrimage to The Holy Land is akin to The Fifth Gospel, in that the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible come alive with the experience of actually being in the places of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection.

 In addition to the traditional sacred sites we will visit, this pilgrimage is unique in that it focuses specifically on the matriarchs of the Christian faith, beginning with Grandmother Anna, Mother Mary, Elizabeth, Mary Magdalene and Martha, visiting their homeland and imagining their incomparable ministries. This itinerary includes feminine sites often overlooked by other Christian tours, with time taken at each place to meditate and remember these women of faith.

Worship will be led by Sr. Elizabeth, an Episcopal priest and experienced spiritual director. Eucharist will be celebrated at many sites along the way.

We pray that you will hear the call to join women throughout the centuries, and join us on an incomparable and life-changing pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine…one which will remain with you forever.

We are also offering an optional post-pilgrimage tour to Jordan and Petra. 

Host: Deacon Holly Galgano
Holly has a passion for sacred travel, and has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East. After going on Holy Land pilgrimage numerous times, she created a pilgrimage specifically designed around the women of the Bible. This will be her second Heart of the Holy Land pilgrimage, which she has curated selecting sites uniquely honoring women and the divine feminine.

Host: Sister Elizabeth Broyles
Sr. Elizabeth R. Broyles became co-founder of the Companions of Mary the Apostle in 2013. She loves being a spiritual director and retreat leader, and delights in accompanying others in their lives of faith. She is looking forward to nurturing connections between inner journey and pilgrimage through worship, Eucharist, Bible study and meditations in the holy places of Israel and Palestine.

n. Dorothée R CaulfieldThe Rev. Dn. Dorothée R Caulfield
Dorothée delights in companioning the people she guides in spiritual direction and has been on pilgrimages to Europe and the Middle East. She is excited to bring her gifts of spiritual listening and sacred response to the Heart of the Holy Land pilgrimage on a trip designed to encounter the divine feminine in the Holy Land.

 

Pilgrimage Includes:

  • Roundtrip air transportation from JFK to Tel Aviv (there is also a land-only option)
  • Airport transfers
  • Hotel accommodations as per itinerary
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • Daily buffet breakfasts
  • Daily lunches (except Day 13)
  • Dinners every day
  • Fully escorted throughout and led by a Palestinian Christian guide
  • Group transportation within the Holy Land by coach
  • Sightseeing as per itinerary
  • Entrance fees

      

Some Highlights Include:

  • Visit to the Stella Maris Monastery
  • Bahai Gardens and Temple, Haifa
  • Visit to the Madgala & Magdalene Institute
  • The Milk Grotto in Bethlehem
  • Worship at St George’s Cathedral in native Arabic
  • Night-light show in the Old City
  • Lunch at American Colony Hotel
  • Sunrise meditation overlooking Judean desert
  • Mt. of Olives and Church of the Pater Noster
  • Visit to the Russian Orthodox Church of St Mary Magdalene
  • Visit to Qumran and view the Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Visit to Cana’s Wedding Feast Church
  • Visit to the St Anne’s Church & Pool of Bethesda
  • Tomb of the Virgin Mary & Church of Dominus Flevit
  • Scenic dinner at Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center
  • Cable car ride to Mount of Temptation and Monastery
  • Walk the Stations of Cross on Via Dolorosa
  • Visit to Ein Karem, home of Elizabeth and Zachariah
  • St. Peter’s fish dinner onboard a Jesus boat ride on Sea of Galilee
  • Visit to Bethany, home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus
  • Lunch at Wujoud, Women’s Culture Center and Museum
  • Optional Baptism in Jordan River
  • Blessing at Via Emmaus
  • PLUS an optional 3-day/2-night tour to Jordan, featuring the ancient city of Petra
  • Plus protection by BMSJ’s $1,000,000 per traveler Errors & Omissions coverage

 

ITINERARY

Day 1- Sunday, February 9: Depart JFK
Departure this evening from New York JFK airport for Tel Aviv on our overnight flight.

Day 2-Monday, February 10: Arrive Tel Aviv. Onto Haifa (D)
Arrive into Ben Gurion airport, Tel Aviv. After going through Passport Control and Customs, we meet our Guide and board our coach. Then a scenic drive along the Mediterranean Sea to our first night in Haifa. Time to rest and get used to the time change before our Welcome Dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Haifa.

Day 3- Tuesday, February 11: In Haifa & Nazareth (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we start our tour with a stop to the top of Mount Carmel for a scenic look of Haifa and Haifa Bay. While standing atop Mount Carmel, we will view the Bahai Gardens, one of the holiest sites of the Baha’i religion. Visit Stella Maris Monastery, which houses Elijah’s Cave, the very cave in which the Hebrew prophet Elijah is believed to have lived and taught. After a scenic lunch in Haifa, we depart for Nazareth, the town where Jesus grew up. After checking into our hotel, we will have an afternoon tour to visit Saint Mary’s Well, or the Fountain of the Virgin, which is situated near the Church of the Annunciation. We will take a private tour of archeological site believed to be the home of Mary and Joseph. Then to St. Gabriel’s Church, where according to tradition, the Virgin Mary first received the news from Gabriel that she would bear the Savior while she was out fetching water. Worship at this holy place. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

Day 4-Wednesday, February 12: In Nazareth (B/L/D)
We start today’s touring with a stop at the Church of Jesus the Adolescent to enjoy the view of Nazareth. Continue to Sepphoris, home of Anna and Joachim, Mary’s parents and believed to be her birthplace. Josephus called Sepphoris “the ornament of all Galilee.” After lunch, the balance of the day is free for independent activities, exploration and shopping. Evening worship at Anglican Christ Church. Overnight and dinner in Nazareth.

Day 5-Thursday, February 13: In Galilee (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we depart Nazareth for Mt. Tabor, the place of Transfiguration. A picnic lunch and meditation atop the mountain before heading for Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle. Here we will visit the Church of Wedding Feast, where we sense the miracles amidst the first century wine vessels. Then we head towards the Sea of Galilee, so associated with Jesus’ ministry of miracles and teachings. Along the way, we will ascend Mt. Arabel to view Galilean shore before checking into our hotel for our overnight and dinner. Presentation of the Jewish Kabala.

Day 6-Friday, February 14: In Galilee (B/L/D)
We start our day with a visit to Mount of Beatitudes, believed to be the setting for Jesus’ most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount. It is considered one of the most beautifully serene places in the Holy Land. Onto Capernaum where Jesus made his home during the years of his ministry. Continue to Taghba, where it is believed that here Jesus walked along the shore and called out to Simon Peter and Andrew who were casting their nets into the lake. Lunch at Pilgerhaus Taghba retreat center. Our last stop is Magdala, a unique site in the Holy Land where a first century synagogue and a complete first century city have been found. After a long day of spiritual sightseeing we return to our hotel to enjoy a special St Peter’s Fish Dinner boat ride on the Sea. Overnight in Galilee.

Day 7-Saturday, February 15: To Bethlehem & Jerusalem (B/L/D)
We depart Galilee this morning for Jerusalem stopping first at Ein Karem, home of St. Elizabeth, cousin of Mother Mary and mother of John the Baptist. Here we will spend time at a place known for its gardens, the Church of the Visitation and the Gornenskiy Russian Monastery. After lunch at Shepherd’s Fields, we continue to Bethlehem to tour of the Church of the Nativity, the oldest church in Christendom. We will also visit the Cave of the Manger, the Church of St. Catherine and St. Jerome’s Cave. Walk to Manger Square and Separation Wall before ending our touring with worship at Milk Grotto. We leave Bethlehem and arrive in Jerusalem in time to view sunset. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8- Sunday, February 16: In Jerusalem (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we’ll attend attend worship in Arabic at St. George’s  Cathedral, following a tour of the dioscean grounds, followed by a little time to browse its fabulous gift shop and bookstore. Afterwards, we enter the Old City where we will have a celebratory lunch and then view Church of St. Mark’s, believed by some to be the place of the Last Supper and the Upper Room, and finally to the Cathedral of St. James for vespers in the Armenian Quarter. Sabbath rest and dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9-Monday, February 17: In Jerusalem (B/L/D)
We awaken early for a solemn walk on the Via Dolorosa, the “Way of the Cross” to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Church was built over what is believed to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Lunch at Wujoud Women’s Culture Center and Museum. After lunch, visit Western Wall, holiest site in Judaism, then ascend the Temple Mount and enjoy a close-up view of the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. On to St. Anne’s Church and Pool of Bethesda, then visit the place of the Flagellation and Ecce Homo, The Church of the Domitian and St. Peter in Gallicantu. After dinner at our hotel, we end the evening attending a very special Sound & Light Show in the Old City. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10- Tuesday, February 18: In Jerusalem. Mt. of Olives and Bethany. (B/L/D)
Our morning begins with an exploration to Bethany, home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. We’ll visit Church of Mary and Martha and also Lazarus’ Tomb. Walk among ancient city ruins, meditate among the lush olive trees. On to Bethpage, place of Jesus’ mounting the donkey at beginning of Palm Sunday route; Scripture readings in the chapel. Visit to Princess Basma Centre, supported by AFEDJ, followed by local lunch. Then from atop to the Mount of Olives where the Church of the Ascension and the Chapel of the Ascension, both claiming to be the spot from where Jesus ascended to heaven are located, we’ll continue to the Church of the Pater Noster with a special meditation on the Lord’s Prayer, following the route of the Palm Sunday procession. Then to Dominus Flevit, the church where Jesus wept when he saw the future of Jerusalem. Extra time will be allotted to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Mary Magdalene and its beautiful gardens. We continue to the Garden of Gethsemene and the Church of All Nations, where Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal and arrest. Ending at Mary’s Tomb at the bottom of the Mount of Olives, revered by the Eastern Orthodox as Mother Mary’s final resting place prior to her ascension.

Day 11-Wednesday, February 19: In Jerusalem (B/L/D)
Our last day in Jerusalem starts our ascending Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, which is dominated by the Church of the Dormition. The location is identified by the Roman Catholic Church as the place where the Virgin Mary died – or “fell asleep,” as the name suggests. Then to the Church of God and the Cenacle room where two major events in the early Christian Church are commemorated: The Last Supper and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. After lunch, the afternoon is free for independent exploration and shopping. Or you may want to go to the Israel Museum to see the Old Jerusalem model and the Shrine of the Book exhibit containing the Dead Sea Scrolls. Or, visit the Holocaust Museum (Yad Vashem). We conclude our Jerusalem stay with a celebratory dinner at Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center’s restaurant. Enjoy a fabulous rooftop view of the city. Optional mass at 6:30 pm. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 12. Thursday, February 20: To Dead Sea area & Optional Baptism at Qasr Al Yahud. (B/L/D)
Rising early, we depart for the Judean Desert to enjoy a sunrise vista and Eucharist overlooking ‘Valley of the Shadow of Death.” Breakfast in Jericho, reputed to be the oldest town on earth, with stories to match. Here Jesus healed Bartimaeus, the blind beggar and dined with Zacchaeus. Also, both Cleopatra and Herod the Great coveted this lush oasis. Then we’ll take a cable car to the Mt. of Temptation, where for forty days Jesus fasted. Scripture reading in Monastery, where ancient icons cover its walls. Continue to the Dead Sea, with lunch along the way, before we reach the shores that are the lowest point on the surface of the earth. Continue to the Qasr Al Yahud for an optional Baptism and Renewal of Baptismal Vows. It was here that the Baptism of Jesus of Nazareth occurred and is regarded as being his spiritual birth. Today’s touring concludes with a visit to Qumran, famous as the hiding place of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a literary treasure trove hidden since shortly after the time of Christ. Overnight and our Farewell Dinner in the Dead Sea area.

Day 13-Friday, February 21: Departure for JFK. Or Option to Jordan (B/D)
After breakfast, those departing for the Jordan option will have an early departure.  Those returning to JFK, will first head towards the Old City to celebrate a mass in the Redeemer Church of the Lutherans near the Holy Sepulcher.  A bit of free time before visit the famed Road to Emmaus, place of Christ’s appearance to the two disciples. We’ll visit the Franciscan church of El-Qubeibeh and have prayers of dedication and “blessings on the way.” Then enjoy an early seafood dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. After dinner transfer to the Tel Aviv airport to board our flight home

Day 14-Saturday, February 22- Arrival JFK
Arrival at JFK in the morning.


Hotels (or similar)     

Israel

Haifa: (Feb 10-11) Golden Crown Haifa Hotel

Nazareth: (Feb 11-13) Villa Nazareth

Galilee: (Feb 13-15) Hotel Astoria

Jerusalem: (Feb 15-20) Holy Land Hotel

Dead Sea area: (Feb 20-21) Kibbutz Ein Gedi

Jordan

Petra: (Feb 21-22) Old Village Hotel


Optional Tour to Jordan February 21 – 24

Day 14-Friday, February 21: Depart for Jordan and to Petra
Depart from Israel for an unforgettable visit to the city of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, carved into the reddish rock of the region by the Nabateans thousands of years ago and forgotten for generations. We cross into Jordan at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge with our first stop at Mt. Nebo. There on this mountain, with an overview of the Promised Land, it’s believed that the grand Prophet Moses is buried. Then we head to Madaba, where we will visit the city’s famous church with the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land in it is the detail. Lunch and mosaic shopping in Madaba. On our way to Petra, we’ll stop at Mukawir, or Machaerus, an ancient fortified hilltop palace, believed to be King Herod’s and location of the imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist, where there is a spectacular view to enjoy.  Overnight and dinner in Petra.

Day 15- Saturday February 22: In Petra (B/L/D)
In the morning we start with our tour of the former Nabatean capital city of Petra, engraved into eternity with its unique constructions and rose-colored sand structures. Our tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site will start at the gates of the Siq, the overhead winding fissure in the canyon. While walking through this winding road, we will learn of the brilliant and avant-garde innovative techniques of defense and water collection systems developed by the Nabatean Empire. Our entry into the city will be with the towering Khazhaneh, the famed treasury. Throughout the rest of the day we will be taken around the city with visits to its carved-out houses, buildings and tombs; and of course, the unique amphitheater. For those who would like to try, there is an optional hike up the steps that lead to the High Altar with views of the desert in the Holy Land. Optional light show in canyon. Evening shopping in the ancient bazaar. Overnight and dinner in Petra.

Day 16- Sunday, February 23: Morning in Petra. Departure for JFK (B/L)wadi rum
In the morning we will head to Wadi Rum. There we will be taken on an off-road excursion to the only canyon desert laying above sea level. Part of the tour will show us their famous caves with Neolithic drawings and some fun rock formations. After lunch, we will be transferred to back to Tel Aviv to take our non-stop flight back to JFK.
Note for those providing their own air, you can also return from the Queen Alia Airport in Amman.

Day 17- Monday, February 24: Arrival at JFK
Early morning arrival at JFK.

 

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this program.


** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. These discounted prices are noted in red.

Special No Interest + No Payments for 6 Months Plan Now Available!
Body Mind Spirit Journeys now offers the “PayPal Credit” Plan (Click here for details)

 

PRICING

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES FOR 14 DAY AIR & LAND PILGRIMAGE  
Per Person Double Occupancy: $2,979 by check or money order, $3,139 by credit card
Per Person Single Occupancy: $3,647 by check or money order, $3,839 by credit card

Plus below to be added
– Airline Taxes and Fuel surcharges: $599 by check, $629 by credit card
– Prepaid Gratuities to Escort and Driver: $120 by check, $125 by credit card

LAND-ONLY PRICE: (You will join the group in Tel Aviv Feb. 10)
Per Person Double Occupancy: $2,499 via wire transfer, $2,629 via credit card. 
Per Person Single Occupancy: $3,167 via wire transfer, $3,328 via credit card. 

Deposit Schedule

FIRST NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT
(Due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour)
Per Person: $500 by check, $525 by credit card

2ND PAYMENT (Due on or before September 9, 2019)
Per Person: $1,000 by check, $1,050 by credit card

FINAL PAYMENT 

BALANCE due on or before December 1, 2019 

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICES FOR 4 Day/3 Night Jordan Optional
(based on a minimum of 10 participants)
Per Person Double Occupancy: $999 by check or money order, $1,049 by credit card
Per Person Single Occupancy: $1,149 by check or money order, $1,209 by credit card

 Plus below to be added
– Prepaid Gratuities to Escort and Driver: $40 by check, $42 by credit card

FINAL PAYMENT  

BALANCE due on or before December 1, 2019

There are a limited number of rooms and configurations available. If you are willing to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to match you up with a roommate with advanced introductions.

This tour will be limited to women & feminine gender-identified participants

After you register online you will automatically be re-directed for payment by mail-in check
or securely online by credit or debit card.

Travel Insurance

As travel professionals, Body Mind Spirit Journeys highly recommends travel insurance. Sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise. A sudden emergency just before or during your trip could spoil your vacation and deplete your resources.

We have recently seen some of our valued travelers lose not only their non-refundable deposits, but also their entire tour payments because they hoped they would not need trip cancellation insurance.

You should protect your trip investment and yourself in regards to health, property and trip payments. That is why we provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.

BMSJ will be sending you additional details and a brochure with your confirmation on trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

 

Photo credits:

Baha’i Gardens by ומר א licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Nazareth front of grotto by Dennis Jarvis

Sepphoris by Carole Raddato licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Cana Wedding Church by FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Magdala by AVRAMGR licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

En Kerem by Dan Lundberg licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

St. Mark’s Chapel by momo licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

Garden Tomb by Phillip Benshmuel licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Church of Mary Magdalene by Sustructu licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Dormition Church by Yair Haklai licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
 Petra Monastery by Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC-BY-SA

Petra camels by Maya-Anaïs Yataghène licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.