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Israel

Students &
Young adults

june 17-June 30

$1700+airfare​

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Guide: Fr. Anthony Ariniello, CB

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Lekh-lekha! Go! Pilgrimage means laying all aside to walk together with Christ, living simply, and shining his light in encounters with the Jewish and Eastern roots of our faith, and with the variety of persons we’ll meet along the way. 

​​​Itinerary overview
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  • Book your own flights to Tel Aviv

    • June 4 Th: Interns arrive in Denver

    • June 14 Sun: Interns leave Denver

    • June 15 Service team leave USA

    • June 17 Wed: Pilgrims leave USA

    • June 30 Tu: Pilgrims depart anytime between 12:30p and 12a 

    • July 3: Service team returns

    • July 3 or later: Interns return

  • Basics we’d never miss: 

    • Nazareth​

    • Sea of Galilee: camping the shore with Jesus!

      • Beatitudes: Face of Christ

      • Bread of Life, Trust in Providence

      • Follow Me/Do you love me?

    • Jordan Valley

      • Elijah, Elisha: Povery of Prophecy, Discipleship

      • Baptismal renewal immersing in the Jordan

      • Jericho: Zachaeus, Walls

      • Floating in the Dead Sea

    • Bethlehem

    • Jerusalem

      • Lodging at site of "Peter the Cock-crowing"

      • Jewish Western Wall, Temple

      • Divine Liturgy in Byzantine Melkite Cathedral

      • Mount of Olives, Gethsemane

      • Way of the Cross, Holy Sepulchre

      • Cenacle: Welcoming a New Pentecost

    • Road to Emmaus: Reflection, Transformation, Mission

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Possible: Visitation, Hebron (tombs of Abraham and other pateriarchs and matriarchs)

  • Minor sites we’ll likely miss: Tabor, Bethany, Caesarea, Jaffa, –you’ll have to come again!!!​​

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  • Challenges​

    • Discipline of quiet from ~9:30p to ~7a

    • Limited “free time”: there is quiet personal time in the morning and evening, but only an hour or two every couple days when you are just "free"

    • Service: each day, each person, a couple small moments of service, e.g., cooking, serving, dishes, song practice, carrying supplies, media​​

 

Costs and Timeline
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  • $1700+airfare

  • We can send you a fundraising letter

  • Apply  

  • We will respond with acceptance or not within 10 days. 

  • Once accepted, reserve your spot with an initial non-refundable fee/deposit of $200.  $400 more by Feb 20, $400 more by Mar 20, $400 April 20, and the remainder due the day of arrival in Israel (in cash). $25 fee for late payments.

  • Payments can be made through options here. Also, here is our refund policy.

  • Cost covers most all meals except one in Israel; costs do not cover souvenirs or optional drinks, snacks and street food.

  • We suggest bringing $100-150 in dollars for souvenirs and food. We’ll limit souvenir shopping, but bring you to the two lowest-cost shops run by Egyptian monks and nuns  â€‹â€‹

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The Community of the Beatitudes 
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Born of the Charismatic renewal in France, Fr. Jacques Philippe was our first priest, but our founders were married couples! The Community of the Beatitudes founded houses in Jerusalem in ‘75 and Denver in ‘99. Our priests and nuns at Emmaus will welcome us, equip us, and help us judge and respond to any emergency situations. 

 

Spiritual Commitment
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  • Daily Mass, morning offering, and night reflection or blessing

  • 30-60 minutes daily for personal prayer

  • Confession or spiritual direction available

  • Quiet time after night blessing

  • Keep the schedule and to communicate personal needs 

  • Media fast: keep your phone your pocket!

  • Dating fast: avoid pairing off. Those already dating see with the director 

 

Travel
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  • We meet and drop off pilgrims at the airport

  • Spirit of pilgrimage, ready for difficulties and cultural encounters, sensitive to group needs and limits

  • Most outings will be required 

  • Between airport, cities, and Emmaus, we use a charter bus

  • Lots of walking

 

Lodging
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  • Bunk beds on holy sites, one night of camping

 

Meals
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  • I hope you like hummus! Sorry, not as much meat as you're used to. 

  • Almost all meals are provided; we will do our best to meet dietary needs; some chances for a snack or a meal on your own budget. 

  • Breakfast is casual, but at lunch and dinner, we begin and end together with a blessing and thanksgiving. 

 

Emergency Contact 
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Participants, parents, or other concerned parties can contact the following at any time:

 

Other
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  • Safety

  • The itinerary is physically and psychologically challenging.

  • A mandatory preparation zoom, with a couple times​

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