SACRED HEART PILGRIMAGE

ITINERARY

Day 1. Tuesday, September 8: Transatlantic Flight to Paris

Depart today on a flight to Paris, France.

Day 2. Wednesday, September 9: Paris

Welcome to Paris! Upon your arrival in the City of Lights, visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Victories and pray before the relics of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, parents of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. Continue to Notre Dame Cathedral, rebuilt and reopened to the public after a devastating fire in 2019. It remains an icon of Paris, and a magnificent example of Gothic architecture. Then visit the glorious Sainte Chapelle, built by King St. Louis IX as a reliquary to house Our Lord’s crown of thorns and fragments of the true cross (now kept at Notre Dame). The building is a magnificent work of art with astounding stained-glass windows. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure and dinner on your own.

Day 3. Thursday, September 10: Paris – Magny Cours

Today visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Montmartre, built on the site of the martyrdom of St. Denis and his companions. Afterwards, visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal and pray before the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré, to whom Our Lady appeared in 1830 and displayed a vision of the miraculous medal. The incorrupt body of St. Louise de Marillac and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul, founders of the Daughters of Charity, also rest in this church. Nearby, visit the Chapel of St. Vincent de Paul to venerate his remains. After lunch on your own, depart for Magny Cours for overnight. Tonight, mingle with fellow travelers at your welcome dinner. (BB, WD)

Day 4. Friday, September 11: Magny Cours – Nevers – Paray-le-Monial

This morning, take a short drive to Nevers. Visit the convent of St. Gildard and pay homage to St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body, miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Afterwards, journey to Paray-le-Monial to visit the Chapel of the Visitation, where Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and promised “I make you the heir to My Heart”. Her body is in a side chapel to the right of the main altar. Also visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Chapel of St. Claude de la Colombiere, to venerate the saint who helped spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was the confessor, friend, and confidant to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. After the visit, enjoy some free time followed by dinner and overnight in Paray-le-Monial. (BB, D)

Day 5. Saturday, September 12: Paray-le-Monial – Annecy

Today travel to Annecy, the "Venice of Savoie". Your first visit will be to the Basilica of the Visitation to pray before the relics of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances of Chantal. With St. Jane Frances of Chantal, in 1610 St. Francis founded at Annecy the Order of the Visitation nuns, which soon spread over Europe. Afterwards, visit the Church St. Pierre where St. Francis of Sales served as bishop, exiled from the episcopal city due to the Protestant Reformation. Today it is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Annecy. Next, visit the Church of St. Francis de Sales, the burial place for both saints until the French Revolution in 1793, when their remains were transferred to the Basilica of the Visitation. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Annecy. (BB)

Day 6. Sunday, September 13: Annecy – Geneva

Today, take a short drive to Chateaux de Thorens, currently owned by a direct descendant of the brother of St. Francis de Sales. Visit the Chapelle de Sales and continue to Thonons les Bains. Visit the Church of St. Hippolyte, Thonon’s oldest Church dating back to the 12th Century. The church is dedicated to Saint-Hippolyte, a Roman officer who was martyred in 258. Continue to admire the exterior of Chapelle Saint Bon, consecrated by St. Francis de Sales under the title of the Assumption of Mary. Not far from the chapel, the retaining wall of the square bears an enameled plaque commemorating the resurrection of a child who died unbaptized, the son of a Calvinist woman – the first miracle performed by St. Francis de Sales during his mission in Chablais. Afterwards, visit the Castles of the Allinges, which served as the residence of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) during his mission to evangelize this province. Finally, arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, for a photo stop with a view of Geneva Lake and to visit the Basilica of Notre Dame in Geneva before reaching your hotel. Tonight, dinner is on your own. (BB)

Day 7. Monday, September 14: Geneva – Chamonix

Today, travel to Zweisimmen to board the Belle Epoque train. This luxurious journey to Montreux is reminiscent of the 1930s, offering beautiful views of the Alpine scenery, vineyards, and Lake Geneva. In Montreaux, enjoy a guided visit to the Château de Chillon, a medieval fortress located on the banks of Lake Geneva. Known for its beauty and considered one of the best-preserved in Europe, it was formerly the residence of the Counts of Savoy and served as a prison for hundreds of years. Dinner and overnight in Chamonix. (BB, D)

Day 8. Tuesday, September 15: Chamonix – Turin

This morning take a panoramic Mont Blanc cable car from Chamonix to Courmayeur*, Italy. Upon arrival in Courmayeur, travel to Turin, a town of enormous grace and charm set against the dramatic scenery of the foothills of the Alps. Enjoy a guided sightseeing of Turin, including visits to the Holy Shroud Museum; the Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, with relics of St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello; and Turin’s Cathedral that enshrines the Holy Shroud, the most important relic of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Overnight in Turin. (BB, L)

*The panoramic ride consists of two cable car segments. For those who prefer not to take the cable car, they can ride on the bus.

Day 9. Wednesday, September 16: Turin – Milan – Pavia – Cremona

Today travel to Milan, where you will visit the Church of the Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore di Gesù dei Frati Minori Cappuccini) and the Duomo, the giant cathedral, to render homage to St. Charles Borromeo. In the afternoon, depart for the city of Pavia to visit the Basilica of S. Pietro in Ciel d’Oro, which contains a magnificent shrine to St. Augustine, whose bones were brought to Pavia from Carthage in the 8th century. Its name refers to the mosaics of gold leaf that decorate the ceiling of the apse. Afterwards, transfer to Cremona for dinner and overnight. (BB, D)

Day 10. Thursday, September 17: Cremona – Bologna – Padua

This morning, journey to Bologna to visit the Church of St. Domenico that houses the tomb of St. Dominic of Guzman, a Spanish priest and founder of the Order of Preachers, also known as Dominicans. Continue to the Church of San Sigismundo, the resting place for the incorrupt body of Blessed Imelda Lamertini. In the afternoon travel to Padua to render homage to one of the most beloved and greatest saints, St. Anthony. Visit his basilica, built in 1232, where his tomb lies in the north transept. Dinner and overnight in Padua. (BB, D)

Day 11. Friday, September 18: Padua – Treviso – Venice

After breakfast, head to the Convent of the Visitation in Treviso, where the heart of St. Francis of Sales is kept. Continue to Venice Island, the unique city on water. Enjoy lunch on your own and some free time in Venice. After a gondola ride through Venice canals, continue to your hotel in Venice Mestre. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of a beautiful pilgrimage. (BB, FD)

Day 12. Saturday, September 19: Homebound Flight

Transfer to Venice Marco Polo airport for your flight home. (Boxed breakfast)

Buffet Breakfast (BB), Dinner (D), Welcome Dinner (WD), Farewell Dinner (FD)

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