Day 3

After breakfast and Morning Prayer we began our day by traveling to Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8) where we conducted a prayer service.

We then drove to the beautiful city of Nazareth, the hometown of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Our first stop was the Church of the Annunciation, the largest Basilica in the Middle East where we observed the grotto where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary asking her to be the Mother of God (Luke 1:26-38). What an incredible experience to walk and observe this holy area where Our Lady lived, Joseph worked, and Jesus grew up. While in the Basilica, we prayed the Magnificat. We had Mass onsite at the Church of St. Joseph where the Holy Family resided after their return from their exodus in Egypt.

The next pilgrimage stop was at the site of Christ’s first miracle in Cana, where Jesus, at a wedding, turned water into wine. (Jn 2:1-11) Here, in the Franciscan church dedicated to the Sacrament of Marriage our married couples renewed their wedding vows. Spouses who lost their loved ones were also remembered and wedding bands blessed.

Our last stop today was at the river Jordan where Jesus was Baptized. Our pilgrims renewed their Baptismal promises and many collected water to bring back home.


Sunrise from our hotel on Sea of Galilee.



Pilgrims walking to Franciscan church on Mt. Tabor.

On the road in Nazareth to Church of the Annunciation.



Church of the Annunciation, largest Basilica in the Middle East.
Praying the Magnificat.
The Nazareth street level that Jesus walked.
Renewing marriage vows.
Renewing our baptism vows.