LISBON – FÁTIMA

After our 10:35 AM arrival in Lisbon, we will collect our baggage and proceed to meet our guide. We will then be escorted to our motor coach, taking us to Church of St. Anthony (Birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua the Patron Saint of lost objects) Holy Mass, TBA.

After enjoying a lunch on your own, we will take a panoramic motor coach tour of Lisbon, this beautiful Portuguese capital city. The tour will include views of Belem and Lisbon, the Old Quarter with Cathedral and the exterior of the St. Jerome’s Monastery (built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for guiding Vasco da Gama on his voyage that linked Europe and Asia.), Belem Tower (entrance to Lisbon Harbor), pass by the “25 April Bridge” (not crossing) inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge. We will finish with the Discoveries Monument (commemorating the Great Explorers, who, as a result of their explorations, brought Portugal to a standing of wealth and power during the Age of Discovery)

We will then proceed to Fatima by motor coach, arriving in the early evening at our hotel for check-in. A welcome dinner will be served. Following dinner, we will settle in for a restful three nights in Fatima.

OVERNIGHT FATIMA. Meals: D

FATIMA / Excursion VALINHOS and ALJUSTREL

After breakfast, we begin our day celebrating Mass (time TBA) at the (“La Capelinha“) the Little Chapel of the Fatima Apparitions or Basillica. Following Mass, we begin our tour of Fatima where we will experience the beauty of this spiritual town. We will see the Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta’s graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the three children lived, and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance after the children’s return from prison. Experience Christ’s love as you walk and follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Spend time in prayer where here in Fatima, The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 6 times to the 3 shepherd children; Lucy, Francisco and Jacinta; between May 13 and October 13, 1917.

After enjoying lunch on your own, you will have a free afternoon for shopping and/or private devotions. This is a great opportunity to join with pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick and drink water from the miraculous well.

After dinner at our hotel, you may participate in the nightly Fatima candlelight processions requested by Our Lady.

OVERNIGHT FATIMA. Meals: BD

FÁTIMA / Excursion SANTAREM

After Breakfast, we will travel a short distance north, by motor coach, to the old city of Santarem. In Santarem, we will learn about the city and Father will celebrate Holy Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, which holds the oldest (13th century) recorded Eucharistic Miracle. The church is one of Portugal’s most-visited pilgrimage sites. St. Francis Xavier visited this Church of the Holy Miracle (St. Stephen’s) before setting off for missionary work in India.

Afterwords, we will Return to Fátima. Lunch will be on your own. While there, we will experience Christ’s unconditional love by taking part in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra. This “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the the three shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fifteen small chapels in honor of the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, can be found close to the Chapel of Calvary, dedicated to St. Stephen, King of Hungary.

After the Stations, you will have free time to pray and meditate upon one of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition sites, where Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children; Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917.

We will celebrate our last evening in Fatima with dinner at a local restaurant.

After dinner at our hotel you can decide if you wish participate in the nightly Fatima candlelight processions requested by Our Lady.

OVERNIGHT FATIMA. Meals: BD

FÁTIMA – SALAMANCA

After an early breakfast, we will begin our Pilgrimage journey to Lourdes through Spain. We will depart and arrive in the early afternoon in Salamanca, Spain. Salamanca is the most graceful city in Spain and for four centuries it was the seat of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Upon arrival, we will have lunch in a local restaurant (included).

After lunch, we will check-in to our hotel in Salamanca. We will then have a chance to see many of the city’s sights in the Old Quarter including the grand Plaza Mayor, the hub of Salmantine life, the vast Baroque church of La Clerecía the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), named after the rows of carved scallop shells: the symbol of the pilgrimage to Santiago, which decorates its façade, the University, the cathedrals, the Roman Bridge, and more. Father will celebrate Holy Mass in Salamanca (time TBA).

After Mass, you will have a free evening in this most beautiful city. Dinner will be on your own.

OVERNIGHT SALAMANCA. Meals: BL

SALAMANCA – ALBA DE TORMES – ÁVILA – BURGOS

After breakfast, we will check-out and depart by coach a short distance to the quaint village of Alba de Tormes. Here we will visit and celebrate Holy Mass at the Carmelite Monastery, where Saint Teresa, who died in 1582 A.D., was buried. In the little museum of the Carmelite Monastery, we will be able to see the incorrupt heart and left arm of the St. Teresa. You will be free to have lunch on your own before we continue our journey to Ávila. In route to Ávila, we will make a brief stop at Los Cuatro Postes. (“The Four Posts”). This little shrine stands 1.5km outside the walled city of Ávila. A cross covered by a four-posted canopy marks the spot where, at age seven, St. Teresa’s uncle stopped her from running off with her brother to seek martyrdom in battle with the Moors. Afterwards, we will continue on to Ávila.

Two important things concerning Ávila are the perfectly preserved eleventh-century walls which surround the old town, and the relics of mystic writer Saint Teresa, who was born here. Ávila’s atmosphere has changed very little since the days of Saint Teresa, the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church, to whom the city is dedicated. During our tour of Ávila, we will see the Cathedral. We will visit the Incarnation Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. We also visit La Santa Monastery, built on the site of the house where she was born, and San José Convent, the first monastery founded by the Saint. After walking in the footsteps of St. Teresa we depart for Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile.

After checking-in to our hotel in Burgos, we will have a late dinner and retire for a restful night’s sleep.

OVERNIGHT BURGOS. Meals: BD

BURGOS – LOYOLA – LOURDES

After breakfast, we will briefly visit the Old Quarter of Burgos and the magnificent limestone, gothic-style Cathedral dating back to 1221. The cathedral is the burial place of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (“El Cid”), and his wife Doña Jimena. On October 31, 1984, Burgos Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Following our morning in Burgos, we depart for Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Here, we will celebrate Holy Mass and see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius. We will also visit his family home behind the sanctuary. We will have time to pray at the most venerated room where Ignatius, at age 30, was brought following his serious wounding at the Battle of Pamplona. After free time for lunch, we will depart and travel through the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled in the mountains stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. We arrive in Lourdes in time for a late dinner at our hotel before retiring to our rooms for a restful night’s sleep.


OVERNIGHT LOURDES. Meals: BD

LOURDES

After Breakfast, we will visit and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, see Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, and behold the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Father will celebrate Holy Mass ( time TBA).

After Mass you will have a free afternoon for lunch and an opportunity join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths.

Experience Christ’s love as you walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the “Immaculate Conception.”

Evening is free for optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner at our hotel. Your can then decide to join the Lourdes candlelight procession and group rosary.

OVERNIGHT LOURDES. Meals: BD

LOURDES – PARIS

Today, we continue on the last leg of this special pilgrimage to the Shrines of Our Lady.

We will have an Early AM departure with a box breakfast.  We will then transfer from our coach to the Lourdes train station. Here, we will wait to board the world famous TGV high speed train to Paris at 7:20am.  After the scenic trip through the countryside of France, we will arrive just slightly after 12 noon at the Paris, Montparnasse train station.

Following time for lunch and bag drop off at our hotel, we will visit the beautiful city of Paris. While there, we will see the Eiffel Tower (exterior), Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde,  the Opera Bastille Squares, Place des Vosges and the impressive, Sacre Coeur Basilica (Sacred Heart of Jesus) located on the highest point of the city in Montmartre. Holy Mass TBA.

Upon return to the hotel, we will enjoy dinner. Our evening will be free, in order to see the parts of Paris each of sees fit.

OVERNIGHT PARIS. Meals: BD

PARIS

After Breakfast, we will continue this very special visit to the City of Light. Our morning visit will feature the Île de la Cité, Cathedral Notre Dame and Shrine of the Miraculous Medal (St. Catherine Labouré.) Here, the Virgin appeared near the painting of St. Joseph, showed Catherine the design for what would become known as the “Miraculous Medal.” On one side was an image of Mary, surrounded by the prayer, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.” The reverse side of the medal bore a letter “M” surmounted by a cross and over two hearts, one encircled with a crown of thorns, and the other pierced with a sword. St. Catherine’s incorrupt body now lies on display in the chapel in a glass case. The heart of St. Vincent de Paul is also located in the chapel. Holy Mass at the Shrine TBA.

The afternoon will be free for lunch and for you to explore Paris.

We will meet as a group for an early evening Farewell Dinner at a local Paris restaurant.

OVERNIGHT PARIS. Meals: BD

PARIS / Departure

After Breakfast we will check-out and depart (approximately 8:30 AM) for the Charles de Gaulle Airport for our 12:25 PM Direct Flight to Washington, Dulles.

Departure from Paris, France:

• October 5
• United Airlines Flight #914
• 12:25 PM

Arrival (Non-stop):

• October 5
• Washington, Dulles
• 2:50 PM


 Meals: BD (on plane)