AVE MARIA RADIO is proud to invite you to join
Steve & Janet Ray Exclusive Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & Jordan!
February 11th - 25th, 2027 (Israel only: February 16th - 25th)
About the Pilgrimage
Brochure & Itinerary
See the WHOLE Holy Land — Israel with the option of a Jordan pre-trip, offered only once a year! Begin in Jordan with Petra, Jerash, Madaba, Mount Nebo and Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, where Jesus was baptized, then join the main group in Israel for Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Steve and Janet have partnered with their Jordanian Catholic guide, Elias Khzuz, for 25 years.
Steve and Janet have partnered with the same Catholic Nazarene guide for every pilgrimage for almost two decades. We have done over 80 pilgrimages together. Amer is a practicing Catholic and a walking encyclopedia. We consider him the finest Christian guide in the Holy Land–and we are not alone in that assessment. Having a Christian guide is very important.
You’ll enjoy Steve and Janet’s trusted hotels and delicious meals including some amazing dinner experiences away from the typical hotel buffets.
Wine is provided with all dinners along with a wide range of cuisines to experience the Holy Land to it’s fullest.
You will receive their 110-page color handbook, daily YouTube videos so your family and friends can join you virtually every day and a fully edited movie of your trip upon your return home.
Steve personally teaches at the holy sites and shares experiences from over 200 previous trips to Israel and other biblical lands since 1995. We do everything we can to support the local Christians who only make up 1.5% of the population.
Remember, daily Mass at the holiest sites and Rosary Mysteries prayed at the sites. Also, pray the Stations of the Cross on the way to Calvary and Mass at the Tomb.
Enjoy a group of like-minded Catholics from around the country for a marvelous pilgrimage through the land of our Lord and Our Lady. And, we always have a marvelous and joyful priest that serves us throughout the trip with Mass, confessions, spiritual direction and to have a lot of fun as well.
ITINERARY
JORDAN PRE-TRIP (February 11 – 17)
Day 1 | Depart USA
Depart USA on overnight flights for Amman.
Day 2 | Arrive in Jordan | Amman
Arrival at Amman Queen Alia International Airport. You will be greeted upon arrival by Steve and Janet Ray and by our Jordanian Catholic guide Elias Khzuz. If time permits, panoramic tour of Amman (pending flight arrival time). Mass at Amman Peace Center. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Amman.
Day 3 | Anjara | Jerash | Jabbok River
Mass at the Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara, a pilgrimage site. Tour the fantastic Roman city of Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman archaeological sites. Visit Mar Elias (Tishbe, hometown of the Prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1). Lunch at a local authentic restaurant. Visit the Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with the Angel. Back to Amman for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 | Madaba | Jordan Valley | Machaerus | Petra
Drive to the mountain village of Madaba. Mass at Mount Nebo. Look out over the Jordan Valley and Israel like Moses did before he died here. See where Joshua crossed over the Jordan River. Visit St. George's Church to see the famous Madaba "Holy Land Mosaic Map." Themed lunch at Elias Khzuz's family restaurant. Visit the mosaic factory and store. Drive to Petra. See Machaerus where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. Dinner and overnight in Petra.
Day 5 | Petra
Visit Petra all morning. Lunch at Petra. Transfer back to Amman and stop en route for Mass at the Our Lady of Peace Center with some of the most beautiful biblical art covering the walls. Dinner and overnight in Amman.
Day 6 | Free Day at Jordan Dead Sea Resort
Enjoy a free day at the Dead Sea Resort, with picturesque views of the Jordan Valley and time to relax at the pool or spa before joining the rest of the group in Israel. Celebrate Mass at the hotel.
Day 7 | Bethany | Jordan River
Drive to Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan for Mass at the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Stop at the authentic site to renew our baptismal vows. Visit the site and the new Catholic Church being built. Continue on to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge to cross into Israel. Drive to your hotel in Tiberias to meet up with the main trip group.
ISRAEL (main trip, February 16 – 25)
Day 8 | Mount of Transfiguration | Cana | Nazareth | Tiberias
Ascend the Mount of Transfiguration (Mount Tabor) early for Mass to miss the crowds; then depart for the Wedding Church in Cana for Renewal of Wedding Vows. After lunch in Nazareth, visit the Church of the Annunciation. Visit the House of the Holy Family. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 9 | Mount of Beatitudes | Tabgha | Tiberias
Mount of Beatitudes for Mass. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus said, “You are Peter (Rock)!” Drive through the Golan Heights and view the Syrian border. Lunch at a Druze restaurant. Visit Tabgha where Jesus multiplied loaves and fishes. Visit the Primacy of Peter where Jesus said, “Feed My Sheep.” Dinner at Magdalena Restaurant. Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 10 | Sea of Galilee | Capernaum | Jerusalem
Drive to Capernaum for Mass at St. Peter's House and the synagogue where Jesus said “Eat My Flesh!” Hear Steve's famous talk on the Eucharist. Next, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. St. Peter's fish for lunch. Drive to Jerusalem, stopping along the way at Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11 | Bethlehem | Jerusalem
Spend the day in Bethlehem. Visit the Olive Wood store to support local Christians. Mass at Shepherd's Field and visit the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. Tonight, enjoy a special dinner with the atmosphere of a Bedouin Tent with traditional dancing in Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 12 | Via Dolorosa | Calvary | Western Wall | Jerusalem
Depart early this morning and travel along the Via Dolorosa. Arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and celebrate Mass. Touch the top of Mount Calvary and tour the church. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Depart for prayer at the Western Wall. Enjoy a group lunch together in Jerusalem. Free time this afternoon. Optional tour of the Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 13 | Gethsemane | Mt. Olives | Mt. Zion | Jerusalem
Begin today with Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane. Drive to the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of Pater Noster. At the scenic Promenade, hear Steve give his invigorating History of Salvation in 20 minutes. Enjoy lunch at a Jewish kibbutz. Drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Church of the Dormition and the Upper Room, ending at the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner at the Cheese and Wine Restaurant on the roof of the Notre Dame Center, overlooking Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 14 | Free Day | Optional Dead Sea Excursion | Jerusalem
Celebrate morning Mass at Notre Dame Chapel. Free day for shopping, prayer, rest, a personal visit to the Holy Sepulchre or optional side trips. Optional excursion (tour escort will advise price) to the Ancient Jerusalem Temple model and Shrine of the Book, Qumran, Jericho and swimming in the Dead Sea. We also have Sammie the Camel ready to give you a ride. We keep your room for you so you can return to the hotel for a shower, pack, rest and have dinner. This evening, get ready for your flight, through the night, back home.
Day 15 | Return to USA
Depart on your return flight back to the USA.
* Itinerary subject to change
$8479 Regular price, per person after October 15, 2026
-250 Early Booking Savings
-330 Discount for payment entirely by cash or check*
$7899 Early Booking / Cash Discount price per person (double occupancy)