Southeastern Lieutenancy
of the United States of America

Pilgrimages

Sir John A. Lengyel, KGCHS
Lady Maureen H. Lengyel, LGCHS
Co-masters of Pilgrimages

(941) 493-9607

lengyelm@comcast.net

In 2007 Lieutenant, A. J. Capritto, III established a pilgrimage committee and charged us, as Co-Masters of Pilgrimages, with the responsibility for planning regularly scheduled pilgrimages, since one of our responsibilities as Knights and Ladies is to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The plan was to offer a number of pilgrimages initially to the Holy Land, and then afterwards, to add pilgrimages to other religious sites throughout the world, while continuing to offer an annual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During the calendar years 2008 and 2009, we completed four Holy Land pilgrimages. We try to have a Bishop from our Lieutenancy serve as “Host Bishop” on the Holy Land pilgrimages.

Our pilgrimages are developed using George’s International Tours of San Diego, which has an office in Jerusalem as well as in other international cities. For the past 15 years, they have been coordinating pilgrimages for us when we performed the same function for the Diocese of Venice. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are met by Father Peter Vasko, O.F.M., our spiritual leader throughout the pilgrimage. Father, a resident of Jerusalem, has lived there for the past 24 years so we feel we are good hands for our safety and well being. All travel throughout the Holy Land is by private first-class motor coach and housing is in first-class hotels. Scripture readings are read throughout the day with daily Mass at one of the Holy Sites. Our pilgrim Bishop is usually the celebrant and homilist. While these pilgrimages are spiritually rewarding experiences, we recognize gifts and souvenirs are also an important reminder to you of this special experience, so time is provided for shopping.

The itinerary for each pilgrimage to the Holy Land generally follows the format as noted below, but may have some minor variations due to availability of sites on a given day or time of day.

Day 1: Depart USA
The pilgrimage begins as we depart on our flight to Israel. Meals and drinks served aloft.

Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv / Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, we are met by Father Peter Vasko, O.F.M., who will arrange the schedule of our visits and make the scripture come alive as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the prophets. Stay overnight in Tel Aviv.

Day 3: Tel Aviv / Tiberias
We will drive along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritime, capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea where St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader's Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Then continue to the sparkling port city of Haifa. Ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, to visit Stella Maris. Continue to Tiberias.

Day 4: Tiberias
Following breakfast, drive to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle - changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we'll invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. In the afternoon take an excursion to the summit of Mt. Tabor to visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Day 5: Tiberias
Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Jesus during His ministry. After visiting the Synagogue and St. Peter's house, we will drive to the Church of the Primacy ­where Jesus appeared to the Apostles after his Resurrection and
Tabgha - the site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes to visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount.

Day 6: Tiberias / Jerusalem
Depart Galilee late morning for Jerusalem. Drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the Baptismal Site on the Jordan River where we will renew our baptismal vows. Continue via the Jordan Valley to Bet Shean, where we'll view from our coach an ancient Roman amphitheater. From here, drive through the Judean wilderness to Jerusalem. (One evening during our stay in Jerusalem we will have an audience with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem during which Knights and Ladies will receive their Pilgrim Shells).

Day 7: Jerusalem
Drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, Ascension, and then walk the "Palm Sunday Road" to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, and visit the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous "Magnificat".

Day 8: Jerusalem
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and view the Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall. Next visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda and the Chapel of Flagellation. We will then carry a wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Christ. In the afternoon proceed to Mt. Zion where we will visit the Cenacle, Dormition Abbey and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times.

Day 9: Jerusalem
Proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Continue through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. If permitted, we will continue on to visit Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel", we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain and the Mount of Temptation. Return to Jerusalem.

Day 10: Jerusalem
Drive to Bethlehem to visit the Nativity Church built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the traditional grotto of Jesus' birth. Visit the Manger, the Grotto of St. Jerome, the Church of St. Catherine, the Creche and the Milk Grotto. Then visit the Franciscan Family Center. Continue to the Shepherd's Fields before returning to Jerusalem.  In the evening we will attend a farewell dinner.

Day 11: Jerusalem / Tel Aviv / USA
Our Holy Land pilgrimage comes to an end as we transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for our return flight home.

Pilgrimages to the Holy Land are truly an emotional and spiritually rewarding experience for all of those who make them and have a profound impact on their future Christian lives. We invite you to join us on the 2010 pilgrimage scheduled for Oct 27-Nov 6. For a current copy of the Pilgrimage Brochure and the Reservation/Application Form please go to downloads noted in the left column or e-mail us at lengyelm@comcast.net with your names, address, telephone number and e-mail address or phone us at 941-493-9607.

A second 2010 pilgrimage is planned for Italy for October 10 – October 20.  Father Jerome A. Carosella, Pastor of our Lady of Mercy Parish in Boca Grande and former Chancellor of the Diocese of Venice for 17 years, will be joining us on the trip as our spiritual leader. Fathers speaks the Italian language fluently and has traveled extensively throughout Italy, both on vacation and leading pilgrimages. He will bring great insights on the history and spirituality on the places we will visit. The itinerary for the Italy trip is listed below. For a copy of the Brochure, please go to downloads noted in the left column or e-mail us at lengyelm@comcast.net with your names, address, telephone number and e-mail address or phone us at 941-493-9607.

Trip Overview - 4 nights in Rome, 1 night in Assisi, 2 nights in Florence, 2 nights in Venice

Day 1- Sun., Oct. 10: Depart U.S.A.
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Rome. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Day 2 - Mon., Oct. 11: Arrive Rome
After arrival in the "Eternal City"; we will be met by our local tour director and transfer to our centrally located hotel, our home for the next four nights. The balance of the day is free. 

Day 3 - Tue., Oct. 12: Rome
A full day of exploring Rome begins with Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Our guide then takes us through the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel with its awesome frescoes painted by Michelangelo. In the afternoon our sightseeing includes visits to the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, St. Peter in Chains, featuring Michelangelo's "Moses" and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Late this afternoon we will visit with the Cardinal Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre (subject to his availability).

 Day 4 - Wed., Oct. 13: Rome
 This morning we will experience a highlight of our Roman stay, attendance at the Papal Audience at St. Peter's (subject to the Holy Father's schedule). Join thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world to listen to the Holy Father and receive His Blessing. In the afternoon our sightseeing includes visits to St. Mary Major Basilica, St. John Lateran, San Clemente, the Holy Stairs, the Old Appian Way and the St. Sebastian Catacombs. We end the day’s tour with Mass at San Onofrio, the main church of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Rome.

Day 5 - Thu., Oct. 14: Rome
Travel south to Anzio, best known for its military significance as a landing spot for the allies in the Second World War. Continue on to Nettuno, home of Saint Maria Goretti. From there, travel east to Monte Cassino and visit the famous Benedictine Abbey founded in 529 by St. Benedict. Return to Rome.

Day 6 - Fri., Oct. 15: Rome / Orvieto / Assisi
Depart Rome for Orvieto, home to Italy's most stunning Gothic Cathedral, where the Feast of Corpus Christi began. Continue our drive through the beautiful Umbrian countryside to Assisi, a town which welcomes us in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare into its peaceful interior. We will visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. Proceed to the Convent of San Damiano where the miracle of the Eucharist of 1211 took place, the Basilica of St. Francis where the saint lies in rest, and the Basilica of St. Clare.

Day 7 - Sat., Oct. 16: Assisi / Siena / Florence
Depart Assisi for Siena, home of St. Catherine. Here we'll visit the sanctuary built on the site of her home and celebrate Mass at the Church of San Domenico where she lies in rest. Driving northwest through the beautiful Italian countryside we’ll reach our final destination of the day, the “Cradle of the Italian Renaissance," Florence.

 Day 8 - Sun., Oct 17: Florence
After Mass, our tour of Florence is an artful experience as we take in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors. Continue to the Galleria Dell' Academia to see Michelangelo's "David". This colossal nude Classical sculpture depicts the Biblical hero who killed the giant Goliath. Afterwards, visit Santa Maria Novella Church and Santa Croce.

 Day 9 - Mon., Oct. 18: Florence / Ravenna / Padua / Venice
Depart Florence and drive northwest to Ravenna, known for its 1500-year-old churches, decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Continue on to Padua to visit the Basilica of St. Anthony. Travel on to Venice, Italy’s most colorful city.

Day 10 - Tue., Oct. 19: Venice
We'll enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Venice by foot, first visiting St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and the St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), built to house the remains of St. Mark. Also visit the famous Doges' Palace and "Bridge of Sighs". The balance of the day is free to explore this fascinating city of islands on our own.

Day 11 - Wed., Oct. 20: Venice / USA
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the States.

Our hope is that this will be a truly emotional and rewarding experience for all who participate as we continue our faith journey and move forward on the next phase of our Lieutenancy Pilgrimages. We invite you to visit the Photo Gallery as noted in the “download” area on this page to view the many sites where we have visited and prayed in the past.

John & Maureen Lengyel
Co- Masters of Pilgrimages
January 2010