Exciting news for citizens of the world
For some thirty years now, our team has been working with people from across the United States and around the world, creating global travel programs to help transform individuals and organizations. We have heard from thousands of travelers about how our programs have changed their lives. And just as lives have been changed by global travel, global travel has been changing.
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Recent news from around the world
Pope to Visit Israel - West Bank - Jordan - May 8-15, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI has made an historic journey to the Holy Land - offering examples of ways visionary religious leaders can engender more respect and understanding amongst the world religions. Some sites he visited that may be of interest to group organizers include:
Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan - site in Jordan proper - traditionally held to be the site of John the Baptist's ministry. The Pope blessed a foundation stone for a new church to be built at the site to accommodate large crowds of pilgrims who come there. Nearby are excavations of early Christians churches.
Madaba - site in Jordan proper - an area that includes several Byzantine-era churches with beautiful floor mosaics. The Pope blessed a foundation stone here for a new Catholic university to be open to men and women of all faiths. Madaba has long been a community of Christians and Muslims.
Yad Vashem - the Holocaust memorial and museum in Jerusalem. The site is an importat place for groups seeking to learn more about the problems of anti-Semitism and efforts to make the world a more peaceful and respectful place.
Haram Esh-Sharif - the Noble Sanctuary or the Temple Mount. This area is generally open to groups and offers occasions for exploring Islamic architecture, worship and spirituality.
The Pope met at the Notre Dame Center for an important interfaith conference. Illume identifies and facilitates meetings and activities with regional interfaith organizations in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Galilee and other sites/venues. L earn more.
Syracuse University - Hendricks Chapel Interfaith Pilgrimage
Illume continues to identify opportunities for groups to meet with local communities to learn more about the work that is going on to support peaceful and positive relationships between Arabs and Jews, between Jews, Muslims and Christians, and between Palestinians and Israelis. Venues include Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam (an Arab-Jewish village, school and retreat center), Bethlehem (where groups can meet with local Palestinian Christians), and several organizations in the Galilee and Haifa region. Illume had the privilege of collaborating with the chaplains at Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel to create a successful interfaith journey to Israel and Palestine in March, 2009. Learn more
Year of the Priesthood - June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010
On the occassion of the 150th Anniversary of the death of the Cure' of Ars - St. John Vianney, the Pope has announced a special Priestly Year to begin with vespers on June 19th, 2009 and conclude with a special international reunion of priests in St. Peter's Square on June 19, 2010. This is an important opportunity to celebrate the ministry and life of priests throughout the world. Illume collaborates with diocesan leaders to create retreats, seminars and study tours to Italy as a way of fostering the continuing education, faith formation and professional development of priests. Learn more.
Santiago de Compostela - 2010
For centuries, pilgrims have traced the route of Saint James (Camino de Santiago) to arrive at the tomb of the great apostle. Apart from Rome and Jerusalem, Santiago was one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Europeans. Each year that the Feast of St. James (July 25th) falls on a Sunday, that year is declared a Holy Year with special events planned in Santiago de Compostela. The holy year of 2010 will be celebrated from December 31, 2009 until December 31, 2010. Learn more about the history of Santiago de Compostela. Learn more about programs to Spain.
Jerusalem Archaeological Park and the Davidson Center
A new archaeological park has opened adjacent to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount Excavations. The park includes The Davidson Center with interactive exhibits and reconstructions of various historical epochs in Jerusalem. The site provides an excellent opportunity for people to explore the history of Jerusalem and to understand the various religious traditions that have left their mark here. The website for the new site is: http://www.archpark.org.il/intro.asp
The much beloved model of Jerusalem during the 2nd Temple period has been moved to the Israel Museum where a spectacular setting next to the Shrine of the Book allows visitors to Jerusalem to better understand historical sites they see in the city. Learn more
Jubilee of St. Paul - 2008-2009
2008-2009 has been designated as the Jubilee of St. Paul. It is approximately 2000 years since this visionary man of faith was born. Christians from around the world will be traveling to places where Paul preached the Gospel and established some of the first Christian communities - in places such as Ephesus, Miletus, Philippi, Corinth and Rome.
Archaeologists in Rome report that they have discovered what they believe to be the sarcophagus of St. Paul under the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Archaeologist Giorgio Filippi who has been exploring structures under the main altar of St. Paul's Basilica since 2000 reported on December 4, 2006, that he found the sarcophagus several feet below the marble structure of the altar. Tradition holds that St. Paul suffered martyrdom along the Via Ostiense. A church was first erected on the site of his burial in 320 AD and enlarged in 390. In 1823 the church burned and was rebuilt according to the original plans - thus making St. Pauls one of the best examples of a large 4th century Christian basilica in the world! Rome is an excellent venue for exploring early Christianity. Illume develops unique programs for Roman Catholic and Protestant congregational groups as well as programs for students in seminaries, theological schools, and institutes for ministry. Learn more
The Passion Play - Oberammergau 2010
Every ten years, the entire village of Oberammergau comes together to bring the passion of Jesus to life using a script that has been passed down for generations. Pilgrims from around the world converge on this picturesque Bavarian town to witness the Passion Play - an event where spectacular stage settings, colorful costumes, and accomplished actors/actresses inspire the audience to participate in the final days of Christ's life. Learn more
World Youth Day - Madrid - 2011
Pope Benedict XVI has invited young people to join in Madrid for World Youth Day 2011. The dates of the event are August 15-21, 2011. World Youth Day has become a popular event that allows young people to deepen their faith by participating in catechetical sessions as well as experience the universality of the Church by getting to know young Catholics from around the world, learning about the hopes and challenges of living the Christian faith in the modern world. The location of the event for 2011 is conducive to bringing young people to other places of great historical and religious significance in Spain and adjacent countries. Learn more.
Barcelona's Iconic Sagrada Familia to be Finally Roofed
Barcelona's emblematic monument, La Sagrada Familia, will soon have a roof. It has been 125 years since Antoni Gaudi began the project. By 2010, the church is expected to be complete roofed. The Cathedral is a breathtaking vision come to life of Gaudi's architectural, artistis and spiritual philosophies. Learn more
Google Earth - Ancient Rome in 3D
Google Earth has launched an ambitious project of recreating the buildings and monuments of ancient Rome in 3D. The site is impressive and allows viewers to gain an appreciation for the layout of Rome and the look of its major buildings and neighborhoods. While there is no substitute for the experience of actually being in the Roman Forum, standing on the edge of the Circus Maximus, standing inside the Pantheon or descending into 1st and 2nd century buildings under Roman churches, the site promises to be a fabulous teaching tool for those bringing groups to Rome. Learn more.
We believe the world could use a dose of friendly, positive change. Guiding travelers on journeys to places that have inspired change in human history motivates us to offer the most skilled, precise, and experienced travel service available—Illume.
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