In the Footsteps of Saint Paul 2023
July 5-15, 2023
A Unique Pilgrimage by Land and Sea
to Athens/Corinth, the Greek Islands & Ephesus
with Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Kane, CSP
Paulist Pilgrimage Director
Limited to 16 pilgrims
A Unique Pilgrimage by Land and Sea
to Athens/Corinth, the Greek Islands & Ephesus
with Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Kane, CSP
Paulist Pilgrimage Director
Limited to 16 pilgrims
You are invited to join a very special pilgrimage that begins in Athens and follows the journey of St. Paul in Greece to Athens/Corinth and then by sea to Thessaloniki, Ephesus in Turkey and the Greek Islands of Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Hydra. Along the way we will explore the classical sites. We will travel on the Celebrity ship Infinity across the Aegean Sea, visiting places associated with St. Paul and his apostolic mission. We will have the opportunity for community prayer and Eucharist on board at some of the most sacred sites in Asia Minor.
Thomas A. Kane, CSP has been guiding pilgrim groups for many years and has personally designed this unique pilgrimage on land and sea.
An internationally known ritual maker and videographer, his research interests include the area of arts, communication, liturgy and culture. Dr. Kane studies contemporary worship and celebration and has written and lectured on liturgy, dance and creativity in the US and abroad. He has recently retired from the faculty of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry in Chestnut Hill, MA. At present, he oversees Paulist Reconciliation Ministries, which sponsors Landings, a lay-led program that welcomes home returning Catholics. He is a member of the Apostolateship of the Sea and enjoys his days at sea.
Celebrity Infinity (2001-built, last refurbished in 2021) is the second ship in the Millennium class with a total of 1085 staterooms for 2170 passengers, served by 1000 crew-staff with 12 passenger decks, 9 restaurants and food bars, 11 lounges and bars, 3 swimming pools, Jacuzzis and 10 elevators. The ship’s laundry service is available at additional cost.
We depart New York on our non-stop flight to Athens, with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.
Upon arrival in Athens, we are met and escorted to our private motor coach. Once our rooms are prepared, we check-in to our hotel. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure to rest from our travels. Optional afternoon trek to Agora and Parthenon (very uneven terrain, not suitable for some) or the Treasures of the Parthenon Museum. Dinner in the Plaka. (Pilgrims making other air arrangements will meet at the Plaka Hotel.)
After breakfast, we journey to Corinth, the largest city in Greece. Here Paul spent 18 months, preaching to the Jews and Gentiles. The site is overlooked by an Acropolis housing the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love. In Corinth, Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, and his trial by Gallio took place in the Agora. The community he founded here caused him much grief and prompted him to write at least four letters. We have a prayer service today in Corinth, with a reflection on Paul the Missionary. After our visit, we have lunch at a local restaurant. We return to Athens for the afternoon at leisure, with dinner on our own to explore the colourful area.
After breakfast and checkout, we transfer to the port of Piraeus, where we board our waiting ship, Celebrity Infinity. Lunch and dinner are served on board. We are enroute to Thessaloniki. We gather to begin our pilgrimage with a Mass and a Pilgrimage orientation, followed by dinner.
Sunday Mass on board at 4:30PM
After breakfast, we meet our driver for a private tour of Thessaloniki.
Greece became the gate for Christianity’s spread to the rest of Europe because of St. Paul. During his missionary journey to tens of cities, villages, islands, supporting the globalization of Jesus’ teaching, he promoted Christianity, and he is often called the Apostle of the Nations. During his second journey, which commenced in 49 AD, a vision he had in Troas urged him to pass through Macedonia. A Macedonian man was begging him to visit his area and help his people. Apostle Paul comprehended this vision as a divine intervention and, together with Silas, visited Macedonia teaching in Philippi, Thessaloniki, Veroia, Athens, and Corinth. The Footsteps of Apostle Paul passed through all the places this charismatic preacher taught, visiting some of the most beautiful spots in Greece. Before dinner, we celebrate the liturgy on board, remembering Paul the Pilgrim.
Mass on board at 5PM
After breakfast, we celebrate the liturgy on board at 9AM, remembering Paul the Preacher. We are free to explore this picturesque island on our own and enjoy the famous beaches and delightful town of windmills.
Mass on board at 9AM
Today we visit ancient Ephesus, the largest city and major harbor on the western coast. Silt in the harbor has today placed the shoreline more than four miles west of the harbor in Roman times. St. Paul founded the Church in Ephesus 53-56 AD. From here, he wrote letters to Galatia, Philippi, and Corinth.
We meet our guide at the Kusadasi pier and visit the House of the Virgin Mary. It is known with certainty that the Virgin Mary went to Ephesus and lived there for some time. Although the foundations were from the 1st Century A.D., the house itself dates back to the 5th century A.D. The site was officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in 1896, and since then it has become a popular place of pilgrimage. We celebrate the liturgy in the House of Mary. Christian tradition has associated Mary, mother of Jesus with Ephesus. At the cross, Jesus committed her to the care of “the disciple whom He loved” (John 19:26). The peaceful site is sacred to both Christians and Muslims.
In the ancient site of Ephesus, the greatest port city in Asia Minor, we explore the Forum, the Odeon, the Library of Celsus, the Thermal Baths of Scholastica, the remains of the main Agora and the Great Theater, where St. Paul addressed the crowds (Acts 19:29), and the site of the riot from which Paul escaped. We visit the ruins of an early 4th century Christian church with a baptistery and bishop’s residence, named Church of the Virgin Mary; and in 431 A.D. the Third Ecumenical Council met here and affirmed Mary as Theotokos, “Mother of God.” We visit the Basilica of St. John, built by Justinian in the 6th century, which houses the tomb of St. John.
Returning to the town of Kusadasi, we have the option to return to the ship, or to stay in the shopping area and attend a Turkish carpet explanation and shop, filled with jewelry, leather ware, and copper goods. Turkish salespeople expect you to haggle and often you can get a discount off the listed price. Treat it as an adventure. The cruise pier is a 5-10 minute walk from the main shopping area.
Today we have a private van and driver for a panoramic drive along the windward coast, starting around the walls of the Old Town of Rhodes, built in 1300s by the Knights of the Order of St. John. The medieval town of Rhodes is inscribed in the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. We continue to Mandraki port, situated in the new town where you will see some very impressive monumental buildings built by the Italians. The Colossus of Rhodes stood at the harbour entrance – one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
We pass by the Acropolis of Rhodes to reach Monte Smith Hill to enjoy panoramic views of the city and to view of village of Lindos with its Acropolis on the top. dominated by the massive temple of Athena Lindos. We stop at the picturesque Bay of St. Paul, where St. Paul landed in the year 51 AD to preach Christianity to the Rhodians. We pause for a short prayer overlooking the Bay, remembering Paul’s missionary journeys. We return to Rhodes town and back to the ship.
Early this morning we arrive at the port of Santorini, where we have free time to explore this scenic town on our own. Santorini is one of the most magical of the Greek Isles, affording stunning views of the Caldera and the hilltop villages. Today we reflect on Paul the Apostle.
Mass on board at 5PM
Hydra is is a beautiful Greek island in the Saronic Gulf. Enjoy the unique charms of the island, whose amphitheater once served as a safe shelter for Saronic Pirates. From the decks, you will be able to admire the very special architecture and dramatic landscapes of this island, whose old traditional stone houses and mansions silently stand witness to a long and turbulent history. Soak up the views from the water and enjoy a refreshing island day as our pilgrimage ends. Today we share our Pilgrim reflections at our closing liturgy.
Closing Mass on board at 5PM
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.
NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there may be unforeseen occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary, either due to changes in airline schedules or for other reasons. All Masses are subject to local Church schedules and cruise ship protocols.
On our all-inclusive Pilgrimage Cruise, we will enjoy veranda staterooms (double occupancy), with special prayers on board, transfers private tours of the ancient sites of Corinth, Thessaloniki, Rhodes and Ephesus, full meal service, Classic beverage package, cruise tips, and free internet.
This unique pilgrimage is limited to 16 pilgrims.
Price: $4200 per person.
All registration and payments are made online.
NOTE: Single occupancy on ships can be quite costly,since there are no single staterooms. Please contact Fr. Kane to discuss possibilities at 617-792-7360.
Celebrity Cruises offers cruise insurance that can be purchased through our cruise agent. Information on Celebrity’s insurance is available on their website.
Please indicate your interest in purchasing cruise insurance when registering and our cruise agent will contact you with details. (Do not purchase insurance directly from Celebrity without first consulting our cruise agent.)