GREAT CATHOLIC SHRINES OF SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND FRANCE

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Monday, September 6: USA – Lisbon

Depart today towards Rome. During the international flight, dinner and breakfast will be served.

Day 2: Tuesday, September 7: Lisbon - Santarém – Fatima                                                                                               

Upon arrival in Lisbon, travel to Santarém, home to one of the Church’s renowned Eucharistic miracles. Visit the Church of the Most Holy Miracle, where a consecrated Host is preserved after having miraculously changed into human flesh. Continue to Fatima for a welcome dinner and overnight. (WD)

Day 3: Wednesday, September 8: Fatima

Begin the day in Fatima with the Stations of the Cross leading toward Aljustrel, the village where the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, lived. Visit their family homes and the sites associated with the apparitions of the Angel and Our Lady. Return to Fatima to visit the Cova da Iria, where Our Lady appeared to the children, and the Basilica where the tombs of St. Francisco and St. Jacinta and the remains of Sister Lucia are venerated. The remainder of the day is at leisure for prayer and personal devotions, with the opportunity to participate in the evening candlelight Rosary procession. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. (BB, D)

Day 4: Thursday, September 9: Fatima - Braga - Santiago de Compostela                                                                   

Depart Fatima and continue north toward Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest Christian cities. Visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, renowned for its monumental Baroque staircase and long history as a place of pilgrimage. Continue into the historic center of Braga to visit its Cathedral before traveling onward to Santiago de Compostela, the destination of pilgrims journeying to the tomb of the Apostle St. James. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (BB, D)

Day 5: Friday, September 10: Santiago de Compostela

Spend the day in Santiago de Compostela, visiting the Cathedral and its museum, where the tomb of the Apostle St. James has drawn pilgrims for centuries. During the Jubilee Year, pilgrims may take advantage of the spiritual privileges associated with the Holy Year. Continue to the Benedictine Monastery of San Martín Pinario, one of Spain’s largest and most impressive monastic complexes. The remainder of the day is free to explore the historic center and experience the atmosphere of this ancient pilgrimage city. Dinner is on your own, with overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (BB)

Day 6: Saturday, September 11: Santiago de Compostela - Oviedo – Covadonga

Depart Santiago de Compostela and travel to Oviedo, capital of Asturias and one of the few Spanish cities that remained outside Moorish rule. Visit the Cathedral and its Treasury, which houses the Sudarium of Oviedo, the cloth traditionally associated with the burial of Christ. Continue to Covadonga, one of Spain’s oldest Marian pilgrimage sites. Visit the Holy Cave, where tradition holds that Our Lady protected the Christian forces during the struggle against the Moors, followed by the Basilica of Covadonga. Dinner and overnight in Covadonga. (BB, D)

Day 7: Sunday, September 12: Covadonga - Loyola - Lourdes

Depart Covadonga and continue east toward Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Visit the saint’s family home, where he experienced the conversion that led him to devote his life to Christ and the Church, and the Sanctuary of Loyola, with its chapels and relics associated with the founder of the Society of Jesus. Continue across the border into France and onward to Lourdes, arriving for dinner and overnight. The evening offers the opportunity to participate in the candlelight Rosary procession. (BB, L, D)

Day 8: Monday, September 13: Lourdes

Spend the morning in Lourdes for personal prayer and devotion at the shrine of Our Lady. In the afternoon, visit the places associated with the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette Soubirous, including the Grotto of Massabielle. The afternoon also offers the opportunity to participate in the procession for the sick. After dinner, pilgrims may join the candlelight Rosary procession before dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (BB, D)

Day 9: Tuesday, September 14: Lourdes - Toulouse

Depart Lourdes and travel toward Toulouse, stopping in Pibrac to honor St. Germaine Cousin, patron saint of the disabled. Continue to Toulouse for a farewell dinner, bringing the pilgrimage through three countries and some of Europe’s most important Marian and apostolic shrines to a close. Overnight in Toulouse. (BB, FD)

Day 10: Wednesday, September 15: Toulouse - USA

Early this morning, transfer to Toulouse Airport for your return flight to the USA. (BB)

Buffet Breakfast (BB); Lunch (L); Dinner (D); Welcome Dinner (WD); Farewell Dinner (FD)

* In case of unforeseen events, this itinerary is subject to change.