Pilgrimage to Qatar, The Holy Land, & Istanbul Under The Spiritual Direction Of Bishop Andres Ligot

Depart for your flights to Qatar. Dinner on board, relax, and anticipate your arrival the next day.

We are greeted upon arrival by our tour escort who will accompany us throughout the pilgrimage. We then transfer to our hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight.

Embark on an extraordinary day of exploration and cultural immersion in Doha, Qatar. Stroll along the Corniche promenade and indulge in authentic Qatari cuisine. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Qatar at the Katara Cultural Village, where we can witness traditional craftsmanship and enjoy vibrant performances. Transfer to Villagio Mall for lunch and free time.

This morning, we explore the bustling Souq Waqif, where we will engage with friendly vendors and discover unique treasures. We return to our hotel to rest and get ready for our evening’s activities. Experience the thrill of a desert safari, capturing breathtaking sunset views and savoring a Bedouin dinner amidst the dunes. We then return to our hotel for overnight.

Today we take our flights from Doha and fly to Tel Aviv. We are greeted upon arrival by our Holy Land Travel Center Representative who will accompany us throughout the pilgrimage. We then transfer to our hotel for a welcome dinner and overnight.

On our first day in the Holy Land, we present an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area and what makes it such a unique area to the three major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St. John the Baptist, and to the Church of the Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and proclaimed the Magnificat. In the afternoon, we drive to the Shepherds’ Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then we visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

We begin our pilgrimage day atop the Mount of Olives, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer. We walk the Palm Sunday Road to Dominus Flevit and continue to the Garden of Gethsemane,

praying at the Rock of Agony where Jesus was arrested. In the afternoon, we visit Mount Zion, including Dormition Abbey— believed to be the site of Mary’s Assumption—the Upper Room of the Last Supper, and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus. We conclude with quiet reflection at the Western Wall.

After breakfast, we head to Jerusalem and start our visit with St. Anne Church (the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary). Continue to view the Sisters of Zion, Ecce Homo, where Pilate proclaimed, “Behold the man.” Next, we retrace the last steps of Jesus as we walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City, praying the Stations of the Cross at each station shrine. We reflect on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally, we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass. Free time in the Old City of Jerusalem for prayers. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

This morning, we drive to the town of Jericho and visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation, where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. to the Jordan River to remember our Lord’s baptism. Afterwards, there is time for a swim (or rather, a float!) in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing properties. We then continue to the border where we cross.

This morning we board our short flight to Istanbul. After visa formalities, we transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we head to the Sultanahmet district. This World Heritage listed area is filled with historic buildings and enough magical atmosphere to keep you enthralled for days. Enjoy a full day visiting the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque with its six minarets and thousands of blue tiles; the Basilica of St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), originally a Christian Basilica later converted into a mosque; and the Basilica Cistern to learn how it protected the palace’s water supply and why it was lost for hundreds of years. Afterwards, we transfer to the Grand Bazaar where we enjoy free time for shopping.

Explore the Eastern Orthodox Christian sites of Istanbul, known in Byzantine times as Constantinople. Visit the Orthodox Patriarchate in the beautiful Church of St. George and check out other richly gilded places of worship, including the Church of St. Mary of the Mongols and Chora Church, famous for its glittering Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. We then transfer to the Camlica Mosque, the largest mosque in Turkey. Afterwards, we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we transfer to the airport for our return flights home, carrying with us unforgettable memories and graces from our pilgrimage.