A Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain & France

September 26, 2022 – Monday
SAN FRANCISCO / PORTUGAL
This afternoon we depart San Francisco International Airport for our flight to Portugal, arriving in Lisbon the following afternoon. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

September 27, 2022 – Tuesday
LISBON / FATIMA
Today we arrive in Lisbon and meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We begin our pilgrimage with a panoramic tour of Lisbon, the birthplace of Saint Anthony, including a visit and celebration of Mass in the Church of Saint Anthony. Following Mass, we drive along the Tagus River where we will see the Tower of Belem and the Discoveries Monument, displaying statues of many Portuguese explorers. We will also visit Jeronimos Monastery, an impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the “Age of Discovery”. Later in the afternoon we arrive in Fatima where in 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the “Miracle of the Sun” occurred. Following dinner, we participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

September 28, 2022 – Wednesday
FATIMA / SANTAREM
This morning we participate in the Stations of the Cross along the path that the shepherd children used to tend to their flock en route to the Cova de Iria where Our Lady appeared to the children. Here we pause to recite the Holy Rosary. We will next drive to Santarem for a visit to the Church of Saint Stephen, or “Church of the Holy Miracle”, the place of a 13th century Eucharistic Miracle. Prior to arriving back in Fatima, we visit Aljustrel and the House of Lucia and House of Francisco and Jacinta. In the afternoon we will visit the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady where we celebrate Mass, followed by free time to explore the sanctuary’s grounds. Following dinner this evening, we have another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

September 29, 2022 – Thursday
FATIMA / COIMBRA / PORTO / SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
This morning we depart Fatima for the town of Coimbra for a visit to the home of Sister Lucia, one of the three children of Fatima that witnessed the apparitions of Our Lady. We continue on to the coastal town of Porto, where upon our arrival we will enjoy free time for lunch. We will next visit and celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. Following Mass, we continue on to Santiago de Compostela, the home of St. James the Apostle. We arrive at our hotel for check-in followed by dinner. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

September 30, 2022 – Friday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
Today we enjoy a walking tour of the historical center of Santiago, including a visit to the Cathedral of St. James the Apostle, housing the remains of the Saint. The Cathedral’s facades display examples of both Romanesque and Baroque architecture. Here we celebrate Mass and will witness the swinging of the “botafumeiro”, the Cathedral’s giant censer, an experience to long remember. We will also visit the crypt of St. James. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for personal exploration of this historic town. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

October 1, 2022 – Saturday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / COVADONGA
This morning we drive to the town of Covadonga. Upon our arrival in Covadonga, we explore the city prior to arriving at the Basilica of Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga, housing the statue of Our Lady of Covadonga, where Saint Pope John Paul II visited in 1989. While at the Sanctuary, we will learn the inspiring story of Our Lady of Covadonga as well as celebrate Mass in the Sanctuary’s Crypt. Dinner and overnight in Covadonga.

October 2, 2022 – Sunday
COVADONGA / BILBAO / SAN SEBASTIAN
Today we enjoy a drive near the northern coast of Spain, including a stop for a driving tour and free time for lunch in Bilbao. In the afternoon, we continue on to the seaside town of San Sebastian to walk and explore the streets and shops in Old Town, where we see the beautiful city hall building situated across from the beautiful Bay of Biscay. In the afternoon we arrive at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for a visit and celebration of Mass. Dinner and overnight in San Sebastian.

October 3, 2022 – Monday
SAN SEBASTIAN / LOURDES
This morning we depart San Sebastian and enter France en route to Lourdes, where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous. Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes where we visit the places important in the life of Bernadette, including the Grotto and Spring where Mary appeared to Bernadette numerous times and the nearby Healing Baths where many pilgrims have submerged themselves for its healing properties. Following Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica), we will visit the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica) as well as the Basilica of Pius X, followed by a visit to Bernadette’s home and the Museum of Lourdes. Following dinner, we participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

October 4, 2022 – Tuesday
LOURDES / BARTRES / ST. SAVIN
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Grotto. Following Mass, our morning is free for personal exploration of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, allowing for time for those who wish to visit the Healing Baths. In the afternoon, we enjoy a drive through the countryside and snowcapped Pyrenees Mountains. We will visit Bartres where Bernadette lived and the old Benedictine Abbey in the village of Saint Savin. Following this evening’s dinner, we enjoy another opportunity to participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

October 5, 2022 – Wednesday
LOURDES / ZARAGOZA
This morning we bid farewell to Lourdes and drive to the town of Zaragoza, where upon our arrival we enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in the afternoon. Later in the afternoon we gather for a visit and celebration of Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the place where Mary appeared to the Apostle James before her Assumption into heaven. Following Mass at the basilica, we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

October 6, 2022 – Thursday
ZARAGOZA / BARCELONA
Today we continue on to Barcelona, where upon our arrival we enjoy a motor coach tour of this cosmopolitan city, including visits to its Gothic Quarter and the impressive Basilica of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), one of the largest churches in Europe. Here we will learn the history of the basilica, including its initial ground-breaking in 1882 and its construction which became the life’s work of Antoni Gaudi until his death in 1926. Following Mass in the crypt of the basilica, we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Barcelona.

October 7, 2022 – Friday
BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT
This morning we embark on a morning drive to the wonderful mountaintop Sanctuary of Montserrat. In Montserrat we enjoy a tour of the monastery and its grounds, including a visit and celebrate Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat or Black Madonna, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. We also observe the Way of the Cross and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery in Spain. In the afternoon we return to Barcelona and enjoy free time on the famous Las Ramblas, one of the most upbeat and striking boulevards in all of Europe. This evening we gather for a flamenco dance performance and our “farewell dinner”. Overnight in Barcelona.

October 8, 2022 – Saturday
BARCELONA / SAN FRANCISCO
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our connecting flight back home. Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.