Personal pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an experience that has captivated Christians for centuries- stretching back to the earliest years of the church’s history. The desire to be a pilgrim is deeply rooted as an expression of our faith. It is a privileged opportunity to come to know the land where Jesus was born, preached, performed miracles, died and then rose from the dead.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an ancient tradition that every Christian around the world should experience at some point in their life. The sacred journey encompasses places like Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jerusalem- places which hold immense historical and spiritual importance to Christianity. You can walk in the footsteps of our Saviour, visiting sites such as the Church of the Nativity, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Via Dolorosa, and the Holy Sepulchre. These are unparalleled opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the stories of salvation and redemption and be changed by what you encounter.

                    

As a pilgrim you will also encounter the living Christian communities of the region. Some of these communities are direct descendants of communities established by the Apostles! Their ancestors were the first to venerate the holy sites. Interacting with the local Christians provides an opportunity to learn about their traditions-but also their struggles and resilience in preserving their faith despite the challenges they face. It is important for them to know they are not forgotten.

A pilgrim is not a pious tourist but is on a sacred journey to meet God, and in meeting God, the pilgrim returns home changed. A personal, sacred journey through the Holy Land- visiting the sites which are the bedrock of our faith and meeting the Christians who have kept our faith alive in this ancient land for thousands of years- will fill your heart and enkindle within you a flame of Christ’s love.

Some personal anecdotes from recent pilgrims…

Over the last few years there have been wonderful pilgrimages that we have helped to facilitate. Several of the most recent ones, including the St. Barnabas Cluster and Our Lady Help of Christians, have sent us reflections of their pilgrimages. To read these reflections and see pictures from their pilgrimages, click here.

Some recent pilgrims visiting the ladies of St. Martha's House

Many Christians in the Holy Land rely heavily on pilgrims for their livelihood. The years of the pandemic were very hard for them and as the number of pilgrims coming to the Holy Land have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, they continue to struggle. It is very encouraging though to read the recent reports from pilgrims as they connect with these local Christian communities!

Planning a Pilgrimage

The question is- when will you book?! The answer should be- as soon as possible! There are many operators with packages to suit every budget.

Once you have booked your package, we would recommend getting in touch with us immediately so we can help you plan your itinerary and include experiences that are not within the typical pilgrimage operator’s routine/ standard package. Friends of the Holy Land are uniquely placed to help pilgrims connect with local Christian communities and projects through our extensive network of staff and volunteers. We are registered as a charity in the Holy Land and work directly with these communities and projects.

Remember you are the client. The pilgrimage operator should be happy to make custom adjustments you request with knowledge from us so that you make the most of your time in the Holy Land, enjoy a wonderful experience and have a lasting memory!