On Good Friday in the year 33 AD, outside the walls of Jerusalem at a place called Golgotha, Roman soldiers nailed Jesus of Nazareth to a cross. Three days later, before dawn on the first day of the week, an earthquake shook the same hillside as an angel rolled back the stone from the tomb. The resurrection changed everything—and the city where it happened became Christianity's holiest destination.
Today, Jerusalem stands as the spiritual heart of three world religions, but for Christians, it holds singular significance. Here Christ walked, taught, suffered, died, and rose again. Here the apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, giving birth to the Church. Every stone, every ancient street, every weathered doorway bears witness to the central events of salvation history.
For nearly two thousand years, pilgrims have journeyed to this sacred city—walking the Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried his cross, kneeling at the Stone of Anointing where his body was prepared for burial, standing beneath the rotunda of the Holy Sepulchre where the angel announced "He is not here; he is risen." The experience of praying where Christ himself prayed, of touching the rock of Calvary, of entering the empty tomb—these transform pilgrimage from religious tourism into profound encounter.
📜 History & Spiritual Significance
Jerusalem's significance begins long before Christ. King David captured the Jebusite city around 1000 BC, making it his capital. His son Solomon built the First Temple, establishing Jerusalem as the center of Jewish worship. The city endured destruction by Babylon in 586 BC, restoration under Persian rule, conquest by Alexander the Great, and occupation by Rome—the power that controlled it when Jesus was born in nearby Bethlehem.
Jesus first came to Jerusalem as an infant, when Mary and Joseph presented him at the Temple forty days after his birth. He returned at age twelve, where he was found "sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." But his most significant visits occurred during his three-year public ministry, culminating in the final week of his earthly life.
On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey while crowds spread cloaks and palm branches, shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David!" He drove money changers from the Temple, taught daily in its courts, and debated with Pharisees and Sadducees. On Thursday evening, he celebrated the Passover with his disciples in an upper room on Mount Zion, instituting the Eucharist with the words "This is my body... This is my blood."
After supper, Jesus led his disciples across the Kidron Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, where he prayed in agony while his closest followers slept. Here Judas arrived with temple guards to betray him with a kiss. Jesus was arrested, taken first to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, then to Pontius Pilate's praetorium, where he was scourged and condemned to death.
The journey from Pilate's judgment to Calvary—later formalized as the Via Dolorosa, or "Way of Sorrows"—became Christianity's most sacred path. Here Jesus received his cross, fell three times under its weight, encountered his mother Mary, and accepted help from Simon of Cyrene. At Golgotha, he was crucified between two thieves, died after three hours of agony, and was taken down and buried in a nearby tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.
On the third day, Mary Magdalene and other women came to the tomb and found it empty. Angels announced the resurrection. Over the following forty days, the risen Christ appeared repeatedly to his disciples in and around Jerusalem. Before his ascension from the Mount of Olives, he commanded them to wait in the city for the promised Holy Spirit.
Ten days later, on Pentecost, the apostles gathered in that same upper room when "suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind... And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them." Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preached to the crowds gathered in Jerusalem, and three thousand were baptized that day—the birth of the Church.
The Christian community in Jerusalem flourished until 70 AD, when Roman legions under Titus destroyed the city and its Temple. The Christians, heeding Jesus's prophecy, had fled to Pella before the siege. When Emperor Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as the pagan city Aelia Capitolina in 135 AD, he built a temple to Venus over Calvary—inadvertently preserving the exact location for later Christians.
In 326 AD, St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, came to Jerusalem to locate the sacred sites. Local Christians guided her to the Temple of Venus, beneath which excavators found the rock of Calvary and, nearby, three crosses. According to tradition, when one cross healed a dying woman, it was recognized as the True Cross. Constantine ordered the pagan temple destroyed and the magnificent Church of the Holy Sepulchre built over both Calvary and the Empty Tomb—the first monumental Christian structure in the holy city.
The church was destroyed by Persian invaders in 614, rebuilt by Modestus, destroyed again by Caliph al-Hakim in 1009, and rebuilt in 1048 by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX. Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and undertook another rebuilding in Romanesque style, much of which survives today. When Saladin recaptured the city in 1187, he respected the holy sites, allowing Christian pilgrimage to continue.
The Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, established in 1217, has maintained Catholic presence in Jerusalem for over eight centuries. Today, the Custody cares for holy sites, operates schools and hospitals, and provides accommodation for pilgrims. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, re-established in 1847, serves as the diocese for Catholics in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus.
The modern status of Jerusalem's holy sites is governed by the "Status Quo," an Ottoman-era arrangement recognizing the rights of Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic communities. In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre alone, six Christian denominations share custody—a complex arrangement that has preserved the basilica through centuries of political upheaval.
For Catholics, Jerusalem represents not merely historical significance but ongoing spiritual reality. The sites where Christ walked and prayed, suffered and rose, remain places of living encounter with the Paschal Mystery. Every Mass celebrated at the Holy Sepulchre, every pilgrim kneeling at Calvary, participates in the eternal "now" of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection.
☩ Pilgrimage Sites in Jerusalem
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Anastasis — The Resurrection Church
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre stands as Christianity's holiest site, built over both the rock of Calvary where Jesus was crucified and the tomb from which he rose. The complex contains multiple chapels, shrines, and sacred spaces spread across two levels, each marking a specific moment of Christ's passion and resurrection. Pilgrims typically spend hours here, moving between the Stone of Anointing just inside the entrance, the steep stairs to Calvary with its Latin and Greek altars, and the Edicule housing the Empty Tomb—the most sacred spot in Christendom.
The current structure dates primarily to Crusader times (1149), though it incorporates elements from Constantine's 4th-century basilica and various rebuildings. The ornate rotunda above the tomb, with its massive dome allowing natural light to illuminate the sacred space, creates an atmosphere of profound reverence. Six Christian denominations share custody according to the Status Quo: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic (Franciscan Custody), Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syrian Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox, each with assigned spaces and liturgical times.
Via Dolorosa
Way of Sorrows
The Via Dolorosa traces Jesus's path from condemnation to crucifixion through fourteen stations commemorating specific moments of his passion. The route begins at the Monastery of the Flagellation near Lions' Gate, believed to be the site of Pontius Pilate's praetorium, and winds 600 meters through the narrow streets of the Old City to conclude inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Franciscan friars lead the Way of the Cross procession every Friday at 3:00 PM, following a tradition dating back centuries.
The fourteen stations include both biblical events and pious traditions: Jesus condemned to death, Jesus receives his cross, his first fall, his meeting with Mary, Simon of Cyrene helping carry the cross, Veronica wiping his face, the second fall, Jesus speaking to the women of Jerusalem, the third fall, Jesus stripped of his garments, crucifixion, death, removal from the cross, and burial. Plaques mark each station, some incorporated into walls and doorways, others inside churches. Pilgrims often walk the route multiple times, praying the traditional devotions at each station.
Garden of Gethsemane & Church of All Nations
Basilica of the Agony
At the foot of the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane preserves ancient olive trees—some estimated to be over 2,000 years old—where Jesus prayed in agony before his arrest. The Church of All Nations, built in 1924 with contributions from twelve countries (hence the name), encloses the rock where tradition holds Jesus prayed "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done."
The basilica's interior, designed by Antonio Barluzzi, maintains perpetual twilight through deep blue and purple stained glass, evoking the night of Christ's agony. Byzantine mosaics in the apse depict Christ's prayer, his acceptance of the Father's will, and his arrest. Before the altar, an outcropping of natural rock is surrounded by a crown of thorns wrought in iron. The ancient olive grove outside, carefully tended by the Franciscan Custody, provides a contemplative space where pilgrims can sit among the gnarled trees and meditate on Christ's human anguish.
Upper Room (Cenacle)
Coenaculum
On Mount Zion, the Upper Room commemorates two foundational events: the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The current Gothic structure dates to Crusader times, built over earlier Byzantine and early Christian sites. Here Jesus instituted the Eucharist, saying "Do this in memory of me," and here the frightened apostles gathered after his death, where the risen Christ appeared and where they waited in prayer until the Spirit came "like a mighty rushing wind."
The simple vaulted hall, stripped of Christian symbols during centuries of Muslim control, retains its historical resonance. A cenotaph marking the traditional Tomb of David occupies the floor below, making this site sacred to Judaism as well. The room is open to visitors daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with no entrance fee, though it remains a secular historic site rather than an active church—Catholics celebrate Mass at the nearby Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu or the Dormition Abbey.
Church of St. Anne
The Church of St. Anne, one of the best-preserved Crusader churches in the Holy Land, marks the traditional birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Built in 1138 by Queen Melisende, the Romanesque basilica possesses extraordinary acoustics that pilgrims test by singing hymns—the vaulted stone interior creating an almost supernatural resonance. The church stands adjacent to the Pools of Bethesda, the five-porticoed pool where Jesus healed the paralytic who had been unable to reach the water for thirty-eight years.
Archaeological excavations have revealed the ancient pools, which once served as a healing shrine in Roman times. The deep rectangular pools, now exposed but dry, descend several meters below the current street level, with remnants of Byzantine and Crusader churches built over them. The White Fathers, who have administered the site since 1856 when it was gifted to France by the Ottoman Sultan, lead tours explaining the archaeology and biblical significance.
Dominus Flevit
The Lord Wept
Halfway down the Mount of Olives, the tear-drop-shaped chapel of Dominus Flevit marks the spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, prophesying its destruction: "The days will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you... and dash you to the ground." Built in 1955 by Antonio Barluzzi, the chapel's architecture itself forms a tear, with a large window behind the altar perfectly framing the Old City and Temple Mount—the vista Jesus would have seen.
The window's wrought-iron design incorporates a chalice and host, representing Christ's tears shed for Jerusalem's refusal to accept him. Byzantine-era tombs discovered beneath the site confirm early Christian veneration of this location. The small, intimate chapel accommodates only a few dozen people, making it ideal for quiet personal prayer. The panoramic view from the terrace outside provides one of the most photographed perspectives of the golden Dome of the Rock.
Church of Pater Noster
The Church of Pater Noster, built over the grotto where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer, features 140 ceramic plaques displaying the Pater Noster in different languages—from Arabic to Zulu, Sanskrit to Swahili. The Carmelite convent built here in the 1870s preserves 4th-century structures from the Church of Eleona commissioned by Constantine, destroyed by Persians in 614, and never fully rebuilt.
The cave chapel beneath the church allows pilgrims to pray the Our Father in the very place tradition holds Jesus first taught it. The serene convent grounds, with gardens and cloisters decorated with the prayer plaques, create a multilingual symphony of the words "Our Father, who art in heaven." Adjacent to the church, the Tomb of the Prophets—a catacomb with spaces for seventy-five burials—dates to the 1st century AD.
Tomb of the Virgin Mary
In the Kidron Valley at the foot of the Mount of Olives, a 12th-century church encloses the traditional burial place of Mary. A steep stone stairway descends 23 meters below street level into a candlelit grotto, where the faithful venerate the empty tomb—Orthodox and Catholic tradition holding that Mary's body was assumed into heaven shortly after burial. The subterranean church, shared by Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic communities, maintains an atmosphere of profound mystery enhanced by hundreds of hanging lamps.
The Crusader facade gives way to an interior dating to Byzantine times, with later additions. At the bottom of the stairs, the tomb itself—a small cave cut from rock—stands behind a marble facing. Icons of the Dormition and Assumption cover the walls. A mihrab (Islamic prayer niche) in one wall reflects Muslim reverence for Mary. The acoustics and incense create a distinctly Eastern Christian atmosphere contrasting with the Latin churches on the Mount of Olives above.
St. Peter in Gallicantu
At the Crowing of the Cock
St. Peter in Gallicantu stands on the eastern slope of Mount Zion, marking the site of the house of Caiaphas the high priest where Jesus was detained overnight after his arrest and where Peter denied knowing him three times before the cock crowed. The modern church (1931) preserves ancient rock-cut chambers and cisterns that may have served as holding cells, giving pilgrims a visceral sense of Christ's suffering during his interrogation.
Excavated dungeons beneath the church—deep pits accessed only by rope through holes in the ceiling—evoke Psalm 88: "Thou hast put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep." Byzantine mosaics and Crusader remains confirm centuries of veneration. Outside, ancient stone steps descending toward the Kidron Valley are believed to be the path Jesus took when brought from Gethsemane to Caiaphas. The church's name itself recalls the moment Peter realized his betrayal: "And he went out and wept bitterly."
Dormition Abbey
The imposing Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition crowns Mount Zion near the Upper Room, marking the traditional site where Mary "fell asleep" (dormition) before her assumption. The German Romanesque basilica, consecrated in 1910, features a stunning mosaic dome depicting Mary surrounded by prophets and female figures from salvation history. The circular crypt below the main church contains a life-size sculpture of Mary resting in death, surrounded by mosaics of women from the Old and New Testaments.
The abbey's organ, with its 4,000 pipes, fills the vast interior with sacred music during the community's liturgical hours. Benedictine monks maintain a schedule of prayers and Masses open to pilgrims, and the adjacent bookshop stocks scholarly works on biblical archaeology and Holy Land spirituality. The abbey's bell tower offers panoramic views of Jerusalem, though access is limited. The site's peace contrasts with the bustling holy sites elsewhere in the city.
Church of St. Stephen
Just outside Damascus Gate, the Basilica of St. Stephen marks the traditional site where the first Christian martyr was stoned to death around 34 AD. The French Dominican church, designed in the Byzantine revival style and completed in 1900, houses the prestigious École Biblique et Archéologique Française—the institution that produced the Jerusalem Bible. Archaeological excavations beneath the church have revealed Byzantine-era structures, suggesting early veneration of the martyrdom site.
The basilica's serene interior, with its marble columns and apse mosaics depicting St. Stephen's vision of heaven, provides a quiet retreat from the bustling Damascus Gate area. The attached École Biblique library contains one of the world's finest biblical archaeology collections. The site reminds pilgrims that Jerusalem witnessed not only Christ's death and resurrection but also the first persecution of his followers.
Western Wall
While primarily a Jewish holy site, the Western Wall—the last remaining retaining wall of Herod's Temple Mount—holds significance for Christians as well. Jesus walked on the Temple Mount above these stones, taught in its courts, overturned the money changers' tables, and prophesied its destruction: "Not one stone will be left upon another." The massive Herodian blocks, some weighing hundreds of tons, testify to the grandeur of the Temple Jesus knew.
Christians approaching the wall today can reflect on how Jesus fulfilled and transcended the Temple: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The plaza before the wall, excavated after 1967, reveals layers of history from Second Temple times through Byzantine and Islamic periods. Christian pilgrims are welcome to approach the wall respectfully, observing the customs of modest dress and separation of men and women in the prayer areas.
🕯️ Annual Feast Days & Celebrations
Easter and Holy Week
Easter in Jerusalem represents Christianity's most sacred liturgical celebration, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims to walk in Christ's footsteps through his final week. The celebration actually encompasses multiple traditions, as Western (Catholic and Protestant) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches often celebrate on different dates according to their respective calendars—though in 2025, both traditions celebrated Easter together on April 20, a rare unified observance.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when pilgrims gather at Bethphage on the Mount of Olives for a procession through the Lions' Gate into the Old City, waving palm branches and singing hosannas in multiple languages. Holy Thursday features the Chrism Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, followed by evening Masses commemorating the Last Supper at various churches including the Cenacle area and the Dormition Abbey.
Good Friday brings the solemn Way of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, with the Franciscan Custody leading the official procession at 3:00 PM, the hour of Christ's death. Thousands follow, pausing at each station for prayers and hymns. Inside the Holy Sepulchre, pilgrims queue for hours to venerate the rock of Calvary and the Empty Tomb. Holy Saturday sees the dramatic ceremony of the Holy Fire at the Orthodox Holy Sepulchre service, where the Greek Patriarch enters the Edicule and emerges with lit candles, distributing the "holy fire" to thousands of Orthodox faithful.
Easter Sunday itself erupts with joy as multiple denominations celebrate resurrection liturgies at different hours in the Holy Sepulchre. Catholics typically celebrate the Easter Vigil on Saturday night and Easter Mass on Sunday morning, with the Latin Patriarch presiding. The bells of all Jerusalem's churches ring out, proclaiming "Christ is risen!"
Pentecost
Fifty days after Easter, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in the Upper Room—the birth of the Church. While the Cenacle itself is not available for Catholic Mass, the Franciscan Custody typically organizes a procession and liturgy on Mount Zion near the Cenacle, with the Catholic community gathering to remember how "divided tongues as of fire" rested on each apostle, empowering them to preach the Gospel in every language.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — September 14
The Feast of the Exaltation celebrates St. Helena's discovery of the True Cross in Jerusalem in 326 AD. Special liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre commemorate this finding, with veneration of relics of the Cross. The Greek Orthodox celebration is particularly elaborate, with the Patriarch raising a relic of the Cross for veneration. Catholic services at the Franciscan chapels in the Holy Sepulchre draw pilgrims from around the world.
Feast of the Presentation — February 2
Candlemas commemorates Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus at the Temple forty days after his birth, where the elderly Simeon proclaimed him "a light for revelation to the Gentiles." Processions with blessed candles wind through the Old City, concluding with Mass at various churches. The Latin Patriarch often presides at the Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate near Jaffa Gate.
Feast of the Assumption — August 15
The Feast of the Assumption celebrates Mary's bodily assumption into heaven, commemorated at multiple Jerusalem sites including the Tomb of the Virgin in the Kidron Valley, the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion, and the Church of St. Anne. The Greek Orthodox celebrate the Dormition (falling asleep) of Mary with elaborate vespers and liturgies. Catholics gather for Mass and processions, honoring Mary's unique role in salvation history and her special connection to Jerusalem.
🛏️ Where to Stay
Austrian Hospice (pilgrim accommodation) — Historic pilgrims' hospice since 1863, located inside the Old City near the Via Dolorosa. Simple, comfortable rooms with Old World charm, rooftop café with panoramic views, chapel for prayer. One of the most atmospheric places to stay for pilgrims wanting to be steps from the Holy Sepulchre. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Christ Church Guesthouse (pilgrim accommodation) — Anglican guesthouse near Jaffa Gate offering comfortable rooms and warm hospitality for Christians of all denominations. Beautiful gardens, proximity to Old City sites, and frequent fellowship events create a genuine pilgrimage community atmosphere. Continental breakfast included. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center (pilgrim accommodation) — Magnificent Vatican-owned pilgrim center directly opposite New Gate of the Old City. Recently renovated with comfortable modern rooms, rooftop restaurant with stunning views, daily Mass in multiple languages, and a pilgrimage atmosphere enhanced by priestly and religious guests. The Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem also hosts conferences and retreats. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
The American Colony Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Legendary 19th-century hotel in East Jerusalem housed in a former pasha's palace. Lush gardens, elegant interiors, and a storied history hosting diplomats, journalists, and discerning travelers. Further from the Old City than other options but offers unparalleled atmosphere and service. Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
King David Hotel Jerusalem ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Jerusalem's most iconic luxury hotel overlooking the Old City walls. Since 1931, the King David has hosted world leaders, celebrities, and pilgrims seeking the finest accommodations. Palatial rooms, lush gardens, pool, spa, and restaurants serving international cuisine. A 15-minute walk from Jaffa Gate. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
Mamilla Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Contemporary luxury boutique hotel next to Jaffa Gate and the upscale Mamilla shopping district. Sleek modern design contrasts with ancient Old City views. Rooftop restaurant, spa, and easy walking access to Christian Quarter. Popular with pilgrims who appreciate refined modern aesthetics. Website ∙ Reserve this hotel
New Swedish Hostel (hostel) — Budget option inside the Old City near Damascus Gate. Dormitory beds and private rooms available, communal kitchen, rooftop terrace. Popular with young pilgrims and backpackers. Basic but clean, with a friendly international atmosphere. Website
🚗 Getting There
By Air: Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), located near Tel Aviv, serves as Israel's main gateway, approximately 50 km (30 miles) from Jerusalem. Modern, efficient rail service connects the airport directly to Jerusalem-Navon station in just 28 minutes, departing twice hourly from early morning until late evening. Tickets cost approximately 21 ILS (about $6 USD) and can be purchased at automated kiosks or via the Rav-Kav smart card system. Shared shuttle services (sherut) and taxis are also available, though more expensive (80-100 USD for taxi).
By Train: Israel Railways operates frequent service to Jerusalem-Navon station from Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other major cities. The high-speed rail line from Tel Aviv takes about 35 minutes. From Navon station, the Jerusalem Light Rail (tram) connects to Damascus Gate and other stops near the Old City. Trenitalia-style regional trains also serve Jerusalem-Malha station in the southern part of the city.
By Bus: Egged, Israel's national bus company, operates extensive service to Jerusalem's Central Bus Station from all major cities and many towns. From Tel Aviv, buses 405 and 480 run frequently (about 1 hour). From Haifa, bus 940 takes approximately 2.5 hours. From Ben Gurion Airport, bus 947 runs directly to Jerusalem. The Central Bus Station is located on Jaffa Road in West Jerusalem, connected to the Old City by Light Rail.
By Car: Jerusalem is accessible via Highway 1 from Tel Aviv (about 1 hour), Highway 60 from the north and south, and various regional roads. However, parking in and near the Old City is extremely limited and expensive. Many hotels offer parking but charge premium rates. For pilgrims planning to stay within the Old City and visit local sites, a car is more burden than asset.
Local Transport: The Jerusalem Light Rail (tram) connects major areas including Damascus Gate, Jaffa Gate area, Mahane Yehuda Market, and Yad Vashem. City buses serve all neighborhoods. Taxis are readily available but ensure the driver uses the meter. Walking is often the best way to explore the Old City's narrow streets and holy sites, which are all within walking distance of each other. Public transport operates on a reduced schedule on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening); Christian areas and Arab East Jerusalem generally have taxis available.
📚 Further Reading
Fr. Stephen C. Doyle, OFM. The Pilgrim's New Guide to the Holy Land — Comprehensive guide from a Franciscan friar combining historical detail, spiritual reflection, and practical information.
Fr. Charles K. Samson. Come and See: A Catholic Guide to the Holy Land — Accessible pilgrimage guide emphasizing the spiritual dimensions of Holy Land sites.
Fr. Anthony Sortino, LC. Holy Land Pilgrimage: A Practical Guide — Detailed practical guide covering Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and the wider Holy Land.
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ. The Holy Land: An Armchair Pilgrimage — EWTN host's richly illustrated guide combining Scripture, history, and personal pilgrimage experiences.
Bruce Feiler. Walking the Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses — Journey through biblical lands with extensive coverage of Jerusalem.
Online Resources:
Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land — Official site of the Franciscan order maintaining Catholic holy sites since 1217.
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — Catholic diocese for Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus. Mass schedules and pastoral resources.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association: Holy Land Resources — Educational resources about Catholic life and holy sites in the Holy Land.
🎥 Recommended Videos
EWTN: Built on Faith - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre — Documentary exploring the history and spiritual significance of Christianity's holiest site.
Jerusalem: The Holy City — Aerial cinematography and historical narration showcasing Jerusalem's Christian holy places.
The Holy Land: A Franciscan Journey — Documentary following Franciscan friars who maintain the holy sites.
🔗 Useful Links
Custody of the Holy Land — Franciscan order maintaining Catholic holy sites since 1217. Mass times and pilgrim services.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre Official Guide — Visitor information, liturgical schedule, and site map.
Israel Tourism - Christian Pilgrims — Official tourism guide for Christian pilgrims with practical travel information.
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem — Catholic diocese for Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Cyprus. Mass schedules and diocesan news.
🥾 Pilgrim Routes
Via Dolorosa — The 600-meter Way of the Cross through Jerusalem's Old City remains Christianity's most walked pilgrimage route. Beginning at the Monastery of the Flagellation near Lions' Gate and concluding at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the route passes through fourteen stations commemorating Christ's passion. Franciscan friars lead the official procession every Friday at 3:00 PM, though pilgrims walk the route independently throughout the week. Allow 1-2 hours for reflective walking with prayer at each station.
Mount of Olives Pilgrimage Walk — A half-day walking route descending the Mount of Olives from the summit (Augusta Victoria Hospital) to the Kidron Valley, visiting multiple sites connected to Jesus's final days: Church of Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Garden of Gethsemane, Tomb of the Virgin. The descent offers spectacular views of the Old City and Temple Mount. Approximately 2 kilometers, 2-3 hours with site visits.
Jerusalem-Bethlehem Pilgrimage — An ancient route connecting Jesus's birthplace to the city of his death and resurrection. While modern security barriers complicate the traditional walking route, organized pilgrimages often travel by bus between the cities (10 km), visiting both the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Jerusalem's holy sites in multi-day itineraries.
Abraham's Path — Long-distance route tracing the patriarch's journey through the Middle East, with a significant Jerusalem section connecting sites associated with both Old and New Testaments. The Jerusalem portion links Mount Moriah (Temple Mount) to Mount Zion, incorporating Christian, Jewish, and Muslim sacred geography.
🧭 Nearby Pilgrimage Destinations
Bethlehem (10 km south) — Jesus's birthplace, home to the Church of the Nativity built over the grotto where Christ was born. The fourth-century basilica, sharing governance between Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Catholic communities, remains one of Christianity's most sacred sites. Pilgrims descend into the Grotto of the Nativity to venerate the silver star marking the traditional spot of Jesus's birth.
Emmaus (30 km northwest) — The village where the risen Christ appeared to two disciples on Easter evening, breaking bread with them before vanishing. Multiple sites claim to be the biblical Emmaus; the Franciscan site at Abu Ghosh features a Crusader church built over Roman ruins, while Qubeibeh hosts a peaceful sanctuary maintained by the Custody.
Bethany (3 km east) — The village of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead four days after his burial. The Franciscan church preserves the traditional tomb of Lazarus, accessed by descending into an ancient burial cave. Jesus frequently stayed in Bethany during his visits to Jerusalem, making it deeply associated with his friendships and miracles.
Ein Karem (8 km west) — Picturesque village in the Judean hills, traditional birthplace of John the Baptist and site of Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth. Two Franciscan churches commemorate these events: the Church of the Visitation, built over the spring where the meeting occurred, and the Church of St. John the Baptist, marking his birthplace. The village's peaceful atmosphere contrasts with bustling Jerusalem.
Jericho (35 km northeast) — The ancient city where Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus and encountered Zacchaeus the tax collector in the sycamore tree. Christian sites include the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation clinging to the mountainside, commemorating Jesus's forty-day fast and Satan's temptations. The ancient city's biblical associations extend from Joshua's conquest through Jesus's ministry.
Nazareth (145 km north) — Basilica of the Annunciation built over the grotto where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary she would bear the Son of God.
Sea of Galilee (150 km north) — The lake where Jesus called his first disciples, calmed the storm, walked on water, and preached from Peter's boat. Sites around the shore include Capernaum (Jesus's ministry headquarters), Tabgha (multiplication of loaves and fishes), Mount of Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount), and Magdala (Mary Magdalene's hometown). Galilee pilgrimage typically requires 2-3 days.
🪶 Closing Reflection
"Here Christ died and rose, never to die again. Here the history of humanity was decisively changed. The long reign of sin and death was shattered by the triumph of obedience and life; the wood of the Cross reveals the way to the tree of life, and the tomb, though once closed by a massive stone, now stands open to a hope than can never be taken away. Here the Church was born of the pierced side of the Redeemer, and began her saving mission to all nations." — Pope Benedict XVI, Address at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, May 15, 2009
