Saturday February 25, 2023

Update: 2-25-2023. 11:45 PM, Nazareth, Israel /4:45 PM Washington D.C time
(TIME Note: Israel Standard time is 7 Hours ahead of Eastern Standard time in Washington, D.C)

After much anticipation, The Height’s Holy Land Crescite Trip departed Dulles airport last night en route to Tel Aviv, Israel via Vienna, Austria. We actually arrived a few minutes early in Tel Aviv, Israel around 2:43 PM and cleared Passport Control very quickly. The boys were so excited to arrive! We quickly made contact with our guide Hussam, a veteran of JMJ Tours and two previous Heights Holy Land Trips. All 52 boys and 6 staff boarded our private tour bus and headed north along the Mediterranean Sea Coast towards Nazareth. Traffic was minimal today due to the Shabbat (Jewish Sabbath).

The group arrived in Nazareth around 5:30PM checked-in to their rooms at the Sisters of Nazareth Guest House for a much needed shower. Father Diego celebrated Holy Mass for the boys in the Chapel. During the homily the Muslim call to prayer could be heard blaring from a Minaret nearby. Hearing this sound was a first for many. The boys also sang beautifully on this our first Holy Mass of the trip. A delicious arrival dinner followed in the dining room. (Soup, turkey, salad, vegetables, rice and oranges from the local region.)

The evening also featured a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation (located just across the street) for the candlelight Rosary Procession. After the procession the boys visited and prayed in front of the room where the ‘Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and she conceived by the Holy Spirit”

The group has now retired for the evening, hoping to rest well in preparation for a full day tomorrow featuring more of Nazareth, Mount Tabor and more .