Christianity and the Holy Land

June 19-28, 2009
During this study trip, students will experience the geography, history, culture, and archaeology of the Bible and early Christian history, through on-site lectures and tours of locations. Topics of study will generally follow the chronology of the itinerary, patterned after the life of Christ. However, locations with Old Testament or Church History significance (such as Jerusalem or Masada) will have those topics addressed while students are on site. Simultaneously, students will experience modern Israeli and Palestinian culture, helping them gain a greater understanding on the current state of Israel in the modern world.

Anne Daugherty is the instructor for the course, responsible for all academic requirements.

Our guide to the Holy Land is Fr. Angelo, a Franciscan priest. The Franciscans have been charged with custody of the Holy Sites since Pope Clement IV entrusted them in 1342. A native of the Philippines, Fr. Angelo has been living in the Holy Land for the last 15 years, and has been guiding groups for the past 9 years. From 1995-2005 he has been Pro-Secretary of the Holy Land as well as chaplain to migrant workers living there. He is delightful!!

Email Anne Daugherty for more information

Yes, Israel is safe! We won't visit any of the trouble spots of the Middle East. Your experienced guides will not let you wander into any danger.



Join Baker for this incredible study opportunity to experience:

 Friday June 19: Fly to Tel Aviv.

Saturday June 20: Arrive Tel Aviv proceed to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

Sunday June 21:
* Church of the Miracle of Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle, changing water into wine at the request of His mother (John 2:1-10).
* Visit the town where Jesus and the Holy Family Lived, see Mary's Well where the Blessed Mother drew water daily for her family, visit Joseph's carpenter shop, and the Basilica of the Annunciation
* Visit the museum at the Church of the Annunciation.
* Visit the Synagogue Church, which belongs to the Melchites, a Greek Catholic community. To the left of the doorway is a door leading down to the synagogue which Jesus is said to have attended.
* Visit the River Jordan to renew baptismal vows. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Galilee.

Monday June 22:
* Enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee in a boat which is a replica of the ones used during the time of Jesus (Matt. 14:22-27). * Visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, and then on to the Church of Tabgha where the mosaic floor tells the story of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. In this area Jesus chose Peter, Andrew, James, John and Philip as disciples; He fed the five thousand; He preached the Sermon on the Mount; and He performed miracles of healing.
* Enjoy a traditional lunch of St. Peter's Fish and then make our way over to Capernaum to see the house of St. Peter and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached and cured the possessed man as well as performing other miracles. At Peter's Primacy we will celebrate Mass outside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. This is the spot where Jesus fed the apostles after the Resurrection. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Galilee.

Tuesday June 23:
* Visit Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, where Jesus was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James and John (Matt 17: 1-8).
* Tour of the magnificent Basilica of the Transfiguration.
* Travel to Jericho, the world's oldest city, to see the ruins of this ancient civilization. A cable car takes us up to the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11). * Journey to Qumran (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls) Stop in Bethany before continuing on to Jerusalem.

Wednesday June 24:
* A half-hour drive from Jerusalem is Bethlehem, where we see the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2:1, 3-7), the oldest in the country , which is built over the the stable where Jesus was born and visit Shepherds Field, the Milk Grotto and have time to shop in Bethlehem.
* After lunch we go to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. It is here that Mary journeyed to visit her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56). Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Thursday June 25:
* Ascend the Mount of Olives to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Jerusalem's Old City and the Judean desert. We visit the Church of the Ascension(Matt. 28:16, 18-20), the Church of Pater Noster, and then make our way down the Palm Sunday walk; we pause at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We end up at the serene Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations where Jesus endured his agony (Matt. 26:36-41).
* After lunch we make our way to the Western Wall, Judaism's most important site, where we will be able to pray and leave our petitions just as John Paul II and countless pilgrims have done.

Friday June 26:
* Enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the St. Stephen's Gate, where the first Christian martyr was stoned to death. Then we visit the Church of St. Anne (traditional birthplace of Mary) and the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the lame man.
* Walk the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) at the Chapel of the Flagellation (Matt.27:27-29), Ecco Home Arch ("Behold the Man") and continue to the Convent of the Sisters of Zion where we can see part of the pavement (the Lithostroto) in the courtyard of the Antonia Fortress where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate. Markings on the stones clearly show evidence of the "King's Game" played by the Roman Legionnaires (John 19:13).
* Walk the Via Dolorosa where we will follow the way of the cross. We end our procession at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, site of the crucifixion of Jesus as well as his burial and resurrection (Luke 23:33-56), Luke 24: 1-12).
* The afternoon is free for shopping, resting up or visiting some of the holy sites that hold special appeal to you. We will have a special farewell dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Saturday June 27:
* After breakfast we visit the Church of St. Peter in Galicantu where Peter denied Christ three times. Then we visit Dormition Abbey where Mary was laid to rest. We then proceed to the Upper Room and the Chapel of the Last Supper.
* We will visit Emmaus at Abu Gosh, where traditionally Jesus appeared to the two disciples shortly after His Resurrection. W e will have dinner before going to the airport to catch our late night flight back home.

Sunday June 28: An early morning arrival in the U.S. and transfer to our flight back home.

             Included in this tour: The cost is $2999 per person, double occupancy. Items not included: lunches (except as noted above), airport departure taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges (approx. $400), passports and personal expenses. A deposit of $500 per person will hold your place, balance is due April 1, 2009.

To Register: download a Registration form. After completing the form, following the directions to send it in to Renaissance Pilgrimages. Discounts available: Pay in full prior to October 15, 2008 and deduct $300 per person. Limited to first 10 registrations. Send your deposit prior to October 15, 2008 and deduct $75 from your final cost. Amounts are fully refundable if you have to cancel, so long as you cancel at least 90 days prior to departure.

NOTE: This registration is ONLY to cover your travel costs. Don't forget to also enroll in the course at Baker if you seek credit for the course!!!!

All travel arrangements are provided through Renaissance Pilgrimages