Holy Land Pilgrimage

In Stephen J. Binz’s latest book, Holy Land Pilgrimage, the veteran guide to the bible lands and consummate scripture scholar invites the reader to traverse the land made holy by God’s unique revelation here. First situating the virtual traveler within the religious context of pilgrimage for ancient Israel and later Christianity, the author then offers a historical introduction to the most significant sites, followed by helpful meditations. All this is punctuated with the author’s full-color photos, making the work not only informative but beautiful. It is no small task to distill two-thousand years of history on the holy sites into a readable and inspirational format, but Binz has successfully done just that.

A marvelous guide for pilgrims to the Holy Land that combines history, personal reflection, and prayers and meditations designed for the holy sites. Stephen Binz's inviting and accessible book will be a great asset to anyone wanting to explore the land often known as the Fifth Gospel.

This latest work of Stephen Binz is the fruit of thirty years of exploring the Holy Land as both a pilgrim and a biblical scholar. With its rich introduction to the notion of Christian pilgrimage, its numerous photos (expertly taken by the author himself), and, especially, its evocative and well-informed descriptions of key regions and places connected with the biblical story, this is wonderfully accessible resource. It can serve as an excellent orientation both for those getting ready to visit the Holy Land or those who can travel there only in their imaginations.

First-time travelers to the Holy Land often share their feeling of being ‘overwhelmed’ by the sheer amount of information they encounter during a ten-day pilgrimage. Being well prepared before departure makes a huge difference in the quality of the experience pilgrims enjoy. Stephen Binz has a unique approach of a biblical scholar and an experienced group leader who understands how important it is to prepare the pilgrims with knowledge of the Holy Land and the biblical sites so they can fully enjoy the richness a Holy Land journey provides. Every pilgrim should read this book before traveling to the Holy Land, use it as a reference during the trip, and as a reminder of all the places visited upon return. For an armchair traveler, this is one of the most spiritually rewarding Holy Land guides I have found.

Binz provides a guide for pilgrims that is not only informed by history and the Bible, but also prayer and meditation from beginning to end. This is a charming, thoughtful, and useful resource that will enrich any pilgrimage to the Holy Land and its sacred places.

Stephen Binz has combined solid scholarship with deep devotion. For those who have never been to the Holy Land, this book will induce you to go. For those pilgrims on their way, it will serve as an excellent guide. And for those who have been blessed in their travels there, this book will keep that memory alive.

Holy Land Pilgrimage is a gift to those called to make a journey where the Bible comes alive. In the Holy Land one walks, quite literally, in Our Lord’s footsteps. Stephen Binz helps us connect the dots between the Scriptures and pilgrimage sites. Get the book and pray about making a pilgrimage to our Lord's homeland. You will learn the historical facts and see topographical landscapes, which will make you realize and say ‘Aha! Now I get it!’

As a leader of Holy Land pilgrimages myself, I have decided to make Stephen Binz’s book my new recommendation for that inevitable question, ‘What should we read to prepare for the Holy Land?’ There is no book on the market quite like it, combining excellent historical scholarship, accurate geography, sound theology, and inspiring devotional material. It is a delight to the mind, the eye, and the heart!

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an extraordinary journey of faith, conversion, and joy, which Stephen J. Binz has laid out in brilliant detail. I hope this book inspires the faithful to say ‘yes’ to this invitation for the most invaluable gift that you can ever give yourself: join pilgrims who, for two thousand years, ‘have gone in search of the ‘footprints’ of God in that land, rightly called ‘holy,’ pursuing them as it were in the stones, the hills, the waters which provided the setting for the earthly life of the Son of God.’ (Pope John Paul II, 1999).

This beautiful book will help prepare any aspiring pilgrim and help them feel closer to the Holy Land. With beautiful images and interesting history, it's a must read!

I have led pilgrimages to the Holy Land over sixty times over the past thirty years. I have found that preparing for the pilgrimage is key if one is to have a successful experience. Stephen Binz’s Holy Land Pilgrimage is a wonderful guide both in preparation for your pilgrimage and a sure help while traveling where Jesus and the apostles walked.

This easy-to-read book is a wonderful guide for pilgrims desiring to encounter God in the sacred sites of the Holy Land. Beautiful art, maps, and photos prepare us for all we will see. The rich historical and biblical background help us enter deeply into the significance of each of the holy places. And the prayers, novenas, and meditations for each site will help us write your pilgrimage on our heart. Stephen Binz has offered us a treasure that will help us draw closer to Jesus as we journey through the land where he walked.

Stephen Binz’s book comes at a most opportune time. Few are better qualified than Stephen to lead us through the Holy Land in a way that brings out both history and spirituality that is applicable to our modern times today.

I have lived in the Holy Land my entire life, steeped in its history, yet found information in Holy Land Pilgrimage that enlightened my understanding of places I walk by daily. I have appreciated the opportunity to get to know Stephen Binz when he brings groups on pilgrimage, and I greatly admire his concern about and dedication to the Christians of the Holy Land. The recognition and support Stephen Binz brings through his work assures us that we will not be forgotten and will be kept in the prayers of our brothers and sisters worldwide, whom we look forward to meeting when they visit the Holy Land.

Traveling as a tourist is different from traveling as a pilgrim. In Holy Land Pilgrimage, Stephen Binz takes us on a spiritual journey—a true pilgrimage. While touching on the important biblical and historical aspects of the Fifth Gospel, Stephen incorporates the spiritual so well, with intimate reflections and his beautiful photography. Enter the Land of Emmanuel. You’ll never be the same!

This is an excellent resource for those preparing to visit the Holy Land-and something to savor upon their return.

Full of helpful maps and photos, this book offers meditations and prayers for each holy site. It works not only for those able to visit the Holy Land in person but for those who can only follow in Jesus' footsteps in their imaginations.

This excellent book will help any physical or virtual pilgrim traveler make new connections with the Bible through the land. It will facilitate a new dimension to one’s faith and will help Christians walk more closely with Jesus both in the Holy Land and on the holy ground of life’s ongoing journey.

Binz provides an introduction to the purpose and history of religious pilgrimages and suggests throughout the book points for meditation and prayer tied to various biblical sites. This is an excellent resource for those preparing to visit the Holy Land and something to savor upon their return.

Binz draws on three decades of experience as a biblical pilgrimage guide to present this guide to the Holy Land, for both the adventurous traveler, preparing for a physical journey, and the imaginative traveler, visualizing the places of the Bible from one's armchair.