Join Fr. Marcus on a pilgrimage to the Marian shrines of Portugal, Spain, and France!
May 13 – May 27, 2024
Spots are limited. Register soon.
Trip cost: $5,500 per person
Price includes:
-Entrance fees to sites and local taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
-Tips to bus drivers and tour guides
Single Room Supplement: $1299
NOTE: a $1500 non-refundable deposit will be due soon after registration to hold your spot. Look out for a phone call or an email that will be sent to you shortly after registration. This is nonrefundable.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: 13 MAY – MONDAY – DEPART USA
DAY 2: 14 MAY – TUESDAY – LISBON
Arrive Lisbon Airport. After checking through immigration and customs, we will be greeted by our English speaking Tour Manager and bus driver. Then we will enjoy a panoramic city tour including St. Geronimo’s Monastery (from outside), the Belem Tower and Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua. Here we will celebrate Mass. We will visit also the Lisbon Cathedral, Augusta Arch, Church of St Dominic and Sanctuary of Christ the King. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (D)
DAY 3: 15 MAY – WEDNESDAY – SINTRA / SANTAREM / FATIMA
In the morning we will drive a short distance to the city of Sintra, a charming Portoguese town hidden among its majestic pine forest, to visit the Palacio da Pena. After lunch, we will continue to Santarem to visit the church of Eucharistic Miracle. Here we will celebrate Mass. Then we will drive to Fatima. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 4: 16 MAY – THURSDAY – FATIMA
We spend the day in Fatima. We will start celebrating Mass. Then we will visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica and the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta and Sr. Lucia. We will visit also the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In Aljustrel and Valinhos, we will see the two homes of the little shepherds and site of the first and third visit of the “Angel of Peace”. Finally, we will stop at the Parish Church and the cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. Balance of the day at leisure for religious activities. After dinner, we will join the nightly candlelight procession (B, D)
DAY 5: 17 MAY – FRIDAY – FATIMA/ PORTO
After breakfast, we will depart Fatima and drive to Porto (3 hrs drive). Upon arrival, we will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city including the Church of St. Francis. Celebrate Mass. After lunch, we will have the opportunity to see a wine factory and enjoy sampling the best wine. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 6: 18 MAY – SATURDAY – PORTO / AVILA
Today we will continue our journey towards Spain. We will drive to Avila (5hs drive + 1hrs drive). Upon arrival, we will visit the sites related to the life of St. Teresa: the Cathedral and the Convent of St. Teresa where there are the relics of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross. We will celebrate Mass at Monastery of Incarnation. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 7: 19 MAY – SUNDAY – AVILA / MADRID
This morning we will drive to Madrid, where we will have a panoramic tour of the city including Gran Via, Plaza de Espana, Plaza mayor, the Royal Palace (from outside). We will visit also the Cathedral of Almudena and here we will celebrate Mass. After lunch, time at leisure for shopping or to discover the city on our own. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 8: 20 MAY – MONDAY – MADRID / TOLEDO / MADRID
This morning we will reach the Imperial City of Toledo. Upon arrival, we will visit this city, where Saint John of the Cross was imprisoned by the Inquisition in a monastery just below the Muslim Alcazar and later nursed back to health by St. Teresa. The city, surrounded by walls, hides great treasures such as its awesome Cathedral, the Santa María La Blanca Synagogue which also served as a Catholic church, the superb Church of San Juan de los Reyes, and the Church of Santo Tomé, with its famous el Greco masterpiece. In the afternoon, we will return to Madrid for shopping. Dinner at our hotel and overnight (B, D)
DAY 9: 21 MAY – TUESDAY – MADRID / ZARAGOZA
After breakfast and check out, we will drive to Zaragoza (4hrs drive). After independent lunch, we will visit the city centre and Our Lady of Pilar .The Basilica venerates Blessed Virgin Mary, under her title Our Lady of the Pillar praised as “Mother of the Hispanic Peoples” by Pope John Paul II. Here we will celebrate Mass. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 10: 22 MAY – WEDNESDAY – ZARAGOZA / BARCELONA
This morning we will continue our drive to Barcelona (4hrs drive). Upon arrival, we will have a panoramic city tour which includes the most important sites of Barcelona such as the Sagrada Familia (inside), Passeig de Gracia, Plaza Catalunya, Montjuic. Today Mass will be celebrated in a local church. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 11: 23 MAY – THURSDAY – BARCELONA
Following breakfast, we will reach the Barcelona’s Cathedral to celebrate Mass. Balance of the day at leisure for shopping or to discover the city on our own. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 12: 24 MAY – FRIDAY- BARCELONA / MONTSERRAT / LOURDES
After breakfast, we will depart hotel and drive to Lourdes. En route we will stop in Montserrat where we will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. Here we will Celebrate Mass. Then we will continue to Lourdes. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 13: 25 MAY– SATURDAY – LOURDES
We spend the day in Lourdes. We will visit the historical and spiritual sites associated with the visionary child Bernadette. We begin at the Grotto of the Apparitions, and then continue on a guided walking tour visiting the Basilica of St. Pius X, Boly Mill, Soubirous family home, the Basilica of the Rosary, the miraculous spring and the healing baths. Celebrate Mass. Independent lunch. After dinner, we will join in the nightly rosary and candlelight procession (B, D)
DAY 14: 26 MAY– SUNDAY – LOURDES / TOULOUSE
In the morning we will attend the International Mass. In the afternoon, we will drive to Toulouse (3hrs drive). Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight (B, D)
DAY 15: 27 MAY – MONDAY – RETURN TO USA
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If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Fr. Marcus at shammami.marcus@gmail.com.