12-day Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain & France

September 23, 2024 – Monday
CHICAGO/ PORTUGAL
Tour members gather at O’Hare InternationalAirport and board our flight to Portugal, arriving in Lisbon the following day. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

September 24, 2024 – Tuesday
LISBON / FATIMA
This morning we arrive in Lisbon and meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. Following free time for lunch, we enjoy 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”. Finally, we arrive in Fatima where in 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the “Miracle of the Sun” occurred. Following dinner, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

September 25, 2024 – Wednesday
FATIMA / SANTAREM
Today 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 da 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, as well as the Church of the Three Shepherds, where the Fatima children were baptized. Later in the afternoon we arrive in the Sanctuary of Fatima and visit the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, where we celebrate Mass. Following Mass, we will visit the shrine’s museum and enjoy free time to explore the sanctuary’s grounds. Following dinner, we enjoy another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

September 26, 2024 – Thursday
FATIMA /AVILA
Today we bid farewell to Fatima and travel to Avila, Spain, perhaps the best-preserved walled city in the world and home of Saint Teresa of Avila until her death in 1582. It is here, with her spiritual director Saint John of the Cross, that Saint Teresa reformed the Carmelite Order. We visit and celebrate Mass in the Carmelite Monastery of the Incarnation, where we will also see the cell where Saint Teresa lived. From here we arrive inside the ancient walls of Avila and visit the Church of Saint Teresa where we will see more relics of Saint Teresa. Dinner and overnight in Avila.

September 27, 2024 – Friday
AVILA / ZARAGOZA
This morning we drive to Zaragoza, where upon our arrival, we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where Mary appeared to the Apostle James before her Assumption into heaven. Following Mass, we enjoy free time in the Plaza of Our Lady adjacent to the basilica. Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

September 28, 2024 – Saturday
ZARAGOZA / LOURDES
Today we enjoy our drive to Lourdes where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous. Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we will visit the Grotto for an introduction to the Shrine, followed by Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica). Following dinner at our hotel, we participate in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

September 29, 2024 – Sunday
LOURDES
Early this morning we celebrate Mass in the Lourdes’ Grotto. Following Mass, we return to our hotel for breakfast prior to our 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. We see the nearby Healing Baths where many pilgrims submerge themselves for its healing properties. We also 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. Our afternoon is free for personal exploration of Lourdes, allowing for time for those who wish to visit the Healing Baths. This evening offers another opportunity to participate in the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

September 30, 2024 – Monday
LOURDES / BORDEAUX / TOURS
Today we bid farewell to Lourdes and depart for Tours. En route we will visit the town of Bordeaux where we will celebrate Massat the Cathedral of St. Andre. Following free time for lunch in Bordeaux’s main square outside the cathedral, we drive to Tours for dinner and overnight.

October 1, 2024 – Tuesday
TOURS / LISIEUX / PARIS
This morning we will visit the Basilica of Saint Martin, followed by a drive to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese, known as “The Little Flower” and the Newest Doctor of the Church. Here we will visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonnets, and the Carmelite Convent Chapel which contains the remains of Saint Therese. From here we will visit the Basilica of Saint Therese and celebrate Mass in its Crypt, where Saint Therese’s parents are entombed. In the afternoon we arrive in Paris and check into our hotel. Following dinner, we enjoy a motor coach tour of the “City of Light”, where we will see many of Paris’ landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and Palais Garnier; Paris’ beautiful opera house. During our tour we will stop at the Trocadero terrace for a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower and its light show. Overnight in Paris.

October 2, 2024 – Wednesday
PARIS
Following breakfast, we drive to Rue de Bac for a visit to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where Saint Catherine Laboure received her apparitions of Mary. Here we see the incorrupt body of Saint Catherine as well as the body of Saint Louise de Marillac, who founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul. From here we visit the nearby Shrine of Saint Vincent de Paul where we will see the saint’s once incorrupt body. Following free time for lunch, we arrive at the Pantheon building for a short walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. The remainder of our afternoon will be spent visiting the world-famous Louvre Museum to see some of its fine collection of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Following dinner, we enjoy an evening cruise on the River Seine. Overnight in Paris.

October 3, 2024 – Thursday
PARIS
This morning we arrive for a visit and celebration of Mass at St. Severin Church. Following Mass, we arrive at Ile de la Cite, a small island surrounded by the River Siene where we will visit the outside of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, an architectural marvel, which stands on the banks of the Seine on the site of an early Christian basilica. In April 2019 the Cathedral was largely devastated by fire and its complete restoration is in progress.Following free time for lunch we will visit the interesting and unique Saint Stephen’s Church (Saint-Etienne-du-Mont), one of Paris’ “pilgrimage churches”, once visited by Pope John Paul II. The church houses several relics of Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. Following free time at the base of the Eiffel Tower, we arrive at Montmartre, known as the “Artists Quarter” of Paris, for a visit and celebration of Mass in the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica. Our day concludes with our “farewell dinner” at La Bonne Franquette. Overnight in Paris.

October 4, 2024 – Friday
PARIS / CHICAGO
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight 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.