Marian Shrines Pilgrimage – France, Spain & Portugal
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Marian Shrines Pilgrimage – France, Spain & Portugal
Pilgrimage Overview
Join us on a Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to France, Spain & Portugal with Fr. Roger Noriega and Friends!
DAY 1
Depart USA
Today we board our overnight flights with beverages and snacks served aloft.
DAY 2
Arrive France
Upon arrival we are immediately transferred to our hotel in Lourdes. Time permitting we will join the candlelight processional.
DAY 3
Lourdes
This day we start with mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, where our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. Later we take our official group photo in front of the Basilica, followed by our guided tour of Lourdes: The sanctuary of the Basilica of St. Pius X, the world’s largest underground church. The Basilica, The Baths, where thousands of miraculous cures have taken place is the most respected shrine and sanctuary in France. Also to be visited are sites associated with the life of Saint Bernadette, like the Boly Mill – where she was born; the Locale Mill – residence of her parents; the Cachot – formerly used as a jail where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel – where she received her first Holy Communion; and the Parish Church – containing the baptismal font where she was baptized. We will then have some free time before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5
Depart Lourdes
After breakfast we depart Lourdes and drive to Carcassone. We take a short break here before we continue to Andorra la Vella and view Romanesque churches and stone houses in the city’s quarter along with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Meritxell. We then transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
Depart Andorra La Vella
We depart Andorra La Vella and continue to Montserrat, home to the Benedictine monastery dramatically set in the Montserrat mountain range. Pilgrims from around the world flock to this monastery to view its magnificent architecture in such a striking setting. This shrine has attracted pilgrims for over 700 years, much as it did Ignatius of Loyola in March of 1522. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. After a break for lunch, we visit Manresa a place of profound conversion for Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Here, in a cave on the banks of the Cardoner River, Ignatius received a vision that provided him with deep insights into spiritual life and altered the course of his own life. From the initial insights he received here, Ignatius went on to pen the Spiritual Exercises.” We enjoy an audiovisual presentation and tour of the museum at Manresa then celebrate Eucharist in the nearby cave. We then continue to Barcelona for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Barcelona
This morning we visit the most famous Holy family church, La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished Catholic Basilica in Barcelona designed by the celebrated Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi. We enjoy a full guided tour of the Basilica before we celebrate Mass. We will then continue to Park Guell before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 8
Barcelona
Today we visit Sacred Heart Cathedral and take a tour before celebrating Mass. We then have the afternoon free in Las Ramblas.
DAY 9
Depart Barcelona
This morning we depart Barcelona and head towards Zaragoza. While in Zaragoza, you will have the opportunity to visit the Magnificent Basilica del Pilar that was built upon the site of where Our Lady appeared to St. James. In 44 A. D. St. James the Great was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but, making very little progress and questioning his mission. According to Catholic Tradition, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem, bi-located and appeared to St. James the Great to boost his morale. While inside the Basilica, you will view the pillar that was carried by angels and from where Our Lady appeared. Following your visit to the Basilica del Pilar, you will visit La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of Zaragoza). Formally known as the Church of San Vicente during the Visigoth period, it contains architectural elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque styles. In addition to the famous cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its folklore and local gastronomy, both of which will be explored on your walking tour of the city.
DAY 10
Depart Zaragoza
Today we transfer from Zaragoza to Madrid, stopping along the way in Burgos. Burgos was for some five hundred years the capital of Old Castile and with its dark stone old town and castle it remains redolent of these years of power and military strength. We then continue to Madrid where we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11
Madrid
We have an orientation tour of the city this morning before a free afternoon to explore Madrid on your own.
DAY 12
Toledo
Following breakfast, we will leave Madrid for the Imperial City of Toledo, where Saint John of the Cross was imprisoned by the Inquisition in a monastery just below the Muslim Alcazar and later nursed back to health by St. Teresa. Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is picturesquely perched on a rocky mound, isolated on three sides by a looping gorge of the Río Tajo. Known as the City of the Three Religions, it is a maze of cobblestone streets winding among churches, synagogues, mosques, houses and buildings preserved from its rich history. For many centuries the Christians, Moors and Jews lived here together in relative equality and peace. The city, surrounded by walls, hides great treasures such as its awesome Cathedral, the Santa María La Blanca Synagogue which also served as a Catholic church, the superb Church of San Juan de los Reyes, and the Church of Santo Tomé, with its famous el Greco masterpiece, where we will celebrate Mass. Following Mass, we will have some free time and be able to sample the famous local pastry created by the Catholic Sisters here, Marzipan. Return to Madrid for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13
Depart Madrid
After breakfast, we travel to the city of Avila, a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe. Here the atmosphere has changed very little since the days of St. Teresa, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Teresa, a great mystic, was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. We will view the Cathedral and visit the Convent of St. Teresa, built on the site where she was born, and the Monastery of the Incarnation, where St. Teresa lived, wrote and had many mystical experiences. Here we will celebrate Mass and have time for reflection and to visit the comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. On a hill outside the city walls, we will visit the Cuatro Postes (four columns) monument where St. Teresa, at the age of seven, was found by her father after attempting to run away with her brother to die as martyrs in the land of the Moors. After our tour and lunch, we will head for Alba de Tormes, where Saint Teresa died in 1582 and is buried. The museum of the Carmelite Convent of the Annunciation here contains her incorrupt heart and left arm. We then transfer to Fatima for overnight.
DAY 14
Fatima
Today, our morning is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession.
DAY 15
Fatima
Today we visit the village home of the 3 children, and continue to Santarem for the Eucharistic Miracle.
DAY 16
Depart Fatima
DAY 17
Lisbon
This morning we visit Jeronimos Monastery where we have a tour before transferring to the Alfama District where we will have time to explore the incredible neighborhoods and shops of Lisbon.
DAY 18
Depart to USA
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- Roundtrip Flights
- 15 - Nights Accommodation
- Air-conditioned Luxury Motor Coach
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Spiritual Director
- Meals (per itinerary)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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