| Day
01
|
CANADA/USA
- PARIS
Departure for France |
| Day
02
|
ARRIVE PARIS
Arrival and transfer to hotel |
| Day
03
|
PARIS
Morning visit to the Rue du Bac. Then we have a panoramic
city tour of Paris, seeing famous sites like the Eiffel
Tower, the Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame. |
| Day
04
|
PARIS - LISIEUX - ROUEN
- NEVERS
Our excursion takes us to Lisieux, home of St.Teresa
"Little Flower of Jesus". Visit the house where
she lived as a child, the Carmelite convent and the basilica.
We then stop for lunch in Rouen, a beautiful city where
Jean d'Arc met her tragic death. Bypassing Paris we head
for Nevers . It was here where St.Bernadette spent her
life as a nun following the apparitions of the Virgin Mary
in Lourdes. Visit the convent of St.Gildard where one can
view the incorrupt body of St.Bernadette |
| Day
05
|
NEVERS - PARAY LE MONIAL
- TOULOUSE AREA
After morning visit and mass in Nevers we travel south
and visit the pilgrimage town of Paray le Monial - late
afternoon continuation down south and overnight in the
Toulouse area. |
| Day
06
|
TOULOUSE AREA - LOURDES
Today we travel the short distance to the pilgrimage
capital of the country, the great pilgrimage centre where
the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette in 1858, near the
Grotto of Massabielle - all day at leisure |
| Day
07
|
LOURDES
Attend Sunday Mass at the famous Grotto, visit the
Basilica of Pius X, the world's largest underground church;
see the home of Bernadette ( where she lived at the time
of the apparitions ). This afternoon we have the opportunity
to visit the baths, where hundreds of of miraculous cures
have taken place, follow the stations of the cross and
attend the blessing of the sick. The highlight of the stay
in this Pyrenean town is the spectacular candlelight procession
where thousands of visitors pray the rosary and sing hymns
in honour of the Mother of God. |
| Day
08
|
LOURDES - SAN SEBASTIAN
DE GARABANDAL
We head for Spain today to the mountain village of
Garabandal where apparitions of the Blessed Mother were
alleged to have taken place during 1961 and 1962. Dinner
and overnight in the Santander area. |
| Day
09
|
SAN SEBASTIAN DE GARABANDAL
- SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After morning mass we travel along the Atlantic Coast
into Galicia, Spain's rugged northwest, to the town of
Santiago de Compostela, where pilgrims have been coming
for centuries. |
| Day
10
|
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Visit the cathedral and the artistic jewel of Compostela,
the Portico de la Gloria ( Gateway of Glory ), see the
urn holding the relics of Santiago ( St.James ) |
| Day
11
|
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA -
FATIMA
Our drive leads us through northern Portugal to Fatima,
one of the world's most important Marian Shrines where
on the 13th of each month between May and October, the
Blessed Virgin appeared to three young shepherd children
and exhorted the world to pray for world peace. Check in
and dinner. |
| Day
12
|
FATIMA
Mass in the morning. Then there is time for private
devotions. Visit the Chapel of Apparitions, the Basilica,
site of Francesco and Jacinta's graves. Then visit the
village ( Aljustrel ) where Lucy, Jacinta and Francesco
lived during the time of the apparitions. After dinner
join the rosary and candlelight procession. |
| Day
13
|
FATIMA - LISBON
All day in Fatima to participate at the special celebrations
for each 13th - in the evening drive to Lisbon. |
| Day
14
|
LISBON
Our day starts with a city tour including the medieval
quarter, the Hieronymite Monastery with Vasco da Gama's
tomb; enjoy the view from Belem Tower. Stop at the chapel
which commemorates the birth of St.Anthony. Then drive
to Santarem to view the "Bleeding Host" at St.Stephan's
Church ( also called the Holy Miracle Church ) |
| Day
15
|
LISBON - CANADA/USA
Transfer to the airport for flight home |
