A 13-day Marian Shrines Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain & France

October 16, 2023- Monday
WASHINGTON D.C. / PORTUGAL
Today we gather at Dulles International Airport for our overnight flight to Portugal, arriving in Lisbon the following day. Meals are served on board our transatlantic flight.

October 17, 2023 – Tuesday
LISBON
This morning we arrive in Lisbon, the birthplace of Saint Anthony, and meet our Pilgrimage Tours’ tour director Daniela Ribera who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We begin our pilgrimage with visits to Lisbon’s Baixa&Alfama districts. We will also visit the Cathedral of St. Mary Major, followed by a visit and celebration of Mass at the Church of St. Anthony. From here we enjoy a scenic drive along the Tagus River where we will see the Tower of Belem and the Discoveries Monument, displaying statues of many Portuguese explorers. Our day concludes with a visit toJeronimos Monastery, an impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the “Age of Discovery”.Overnight in Lisbon.

October 18, 2023 – Wednesday
LISBON / OBIDOS / FATIMA
Today we bid farewell to Lisbon and drive to the quaint medieval town of Obidos and enjoy a leisurely walk through its cobblestone streets, including free time for lunch and shopping for native handcrafts and art work. Here we will enjoy a tasting of “Ginjinha”, a popular cherry liqueur drink enjoyed by the locals. Following Mass at Santa Maria Church, decorated inside with beautiful white and blue baroque tiles, we continue on to Fatima, where in 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the “Miracle of the Sun” occurred. Following an introduction to the Sanctuary of Fatima, we arrive at our hotel for check-in. Following dinner, we participate in the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

October 19, 2023 – Thursday
FATIMA
This morning we will visit the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady, where we will celebrate Mass. Following free time for lunch and personal exploration of the sanctuary, we drive to nearby Aljustrel for a visit to the House of Lucia and the House of Francisco and Jacinta. Upon our return to Fatima, 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.This evening will offer another opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima.

October 20, 2023–Friday
FATIMA / PORTO / SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
Today wedrive to the coastal town of Porto, where upon our arrival we will visit and celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. Following Mass, we enjoy free time for lunch prior to a port wine tasting in a local wine cellar called a “cantina”. Later in the afternoon, we continue on to Santiago de Compostela, the home of St. James the Apostle and the destination for the centuries old pilgrimage route Camino de Santiago or the “Way of St. James”. We arrive at our hotel for check-in followed by dinner. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

October 21, 2023 – Saturday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA
This morning 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 witness the swinging of the Botafumeiro, the Cathedral’s giant incense thurible, dating back to the Middle Ages. Following Mass, we will visit the crypt of Saint James. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for personal exploration of this historic town. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

October 22, 2023 – Sunday
SANTIAGO de COMPOSTELA / BURGOS
Today we bid farewell to Santiago and enjoy a drive to the town of Burgos. Upon our arrival, we enjoy a walking tour of Burgos’ historic center, followed by a visit and celebration of Mass at the awe-inspiring St. Mary’s Cathedral, an amazing masterpiece of French Gothic architecture that dominates the town center.Following Mass, we will have free time to explore the cathedral’s chapels, cloister and admire its impressive doors and architecture.Dinner and overnight in Burgos.

October 23, 2023 – Monday
BURGOS / SAN SEBASTIAN /LOURDES
This morning we depart on our drive to Lourdes. Late morning, we arrive for a visit at the seaside town of San Sebastian, situated on the beautiful Bay of Biscay. Here we will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd. Following Mass, we enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in Old Town. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Lourdes, where in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous.Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we enjoy an introduction to the shrine prior to arriving at our hotel for check-in. Following dinner, we participate in the evening’s Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

October 24, 2023 – Tuesday
LOURDES / BARTRES
Our day begins with a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting 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 Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Upper Basilica) and the Rosary Basilica (Lower Basilica). Following Mass, we will also visit the Basilica of Pius X, Bernadette’s home and the Museum of Lourdes. In the afternoon we enjoy a drive through the snowcapped Pyrenees Mountains and countryside, arriving in Bartres, where a young Bernadette spent several years of her childhood. This evening in Lourdes we participate in the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

October 25, 2023 – Wednesday
LOURDES / BARCELONA
Early this morning we celebrate Mass in the Grotto. Following Mass, we depart for our drive to Barcelona. Upon our arrival in Barcelona, we enjoy a motor coach tour of this cosmopolitan city, including a visit to its impressive Basilica of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), one of the largest churches in Europe. Here we will learn of 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, and continues to this day. We arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Barcelona.

October 26, 2023- Thursday
BARCELONA /MANRESA / MONTSERRAT
Today we enjoy an excursion outside Barcelona, first visiting the town of Manresa along the River Cardoner. It is here that Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, or Society of Jesus, spent some 10 months in prayer and meditation and where Saint Ignatius saw a vision and went on to write the“Spiritual Exercises”from 1522-24.Here we will visit and celebrate Mass inside the Cave of Saint Michael. Late morning, we drive to the base of the wonderful mountaintop Sanctuary of Montserrat and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery in Spain. We will board a cogwheel train and ascend to Montserrat, passing by picturesque farmlands and villagestowards Montserrat’s jagged peaks. Upon our arrival we enjoy a tour of the monastery and its grounds, including a visit to the Shrine and see the Statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, known as “La Morenata” (black Virgin), probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Following free time for lunch, we return to Barcelona and arrive at a typical wine cellar, where we enjoy a wine and cheese tasting. Our day concludes with free time on the famous Las Ramblas Boulevard, one of the most upbeat and striking boulevards in all of Europe. Overnight in Barcelona.

October 27, 2023 – Friday
BARCELONA
Following Mass this morning in Barcelona’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, we enjoy a walking tour of the city’s historic center and its Gothic Quarter.Following free time for lunch and shopping in Barcelona’s Ribera District, we will visit the city’s lovely Guell Park, also designed by Antoni Gaudi.This evening we gather for a flamenco dance performance and our “farewell dinner”. Overnight in Barcelona.

October 28, 2023 – Saturday
BARCELONA / WASHINGTON D.C.
Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our direct 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.