Charles Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 11 days

Europe
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Cyprus
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Created: 07.09.2016

Tuesday, July 11 - St. Benedict - Day 1 ??? DEPART USA ??? Today we depart the Miami airport on our overnight flight aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Wednesday, July 12 - DAY 2 - LISBON/FATIMA ENVIRONS- We arrive in Madrid and transfer to our flight to Lisbon Airport, where we are met and given a short orientation tour of Lisbon before the drive to Fatima. If possible, we celebrate Mass at the Church of the famous Eucharistic Miracle at Santerem. Balance of the day at leisure.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, if possible, we join the International Rosary Procession or other Anniversary events.   Thursday, July 13 - DAY 3 - FATIMA - This full day is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917. We join the 100th Anniversary celebration of the final apparition.  In the evening, we once again join the International Rosary Procession.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Friday, July 14 - DAY 4 - FATIMA/SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - Today we depart Fatima, passing by the ancient capital and university city of Coimbra, where Lucia, the last Fatima visionary lived as a cloistered nun.  We continue northwards into Spain and on to Santiago de Compostela, one of the most famous shrines in the western world. This is the site of the ancient pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James.  Tradition holds that the Apostle James was cast ashore here preaching for seven years and being responsible for the conversion of Spain before returning to the Holy Land. The Cathedral of 11th to 13th century with its splendor, and the portico are masterworks of Romanesque art.  On arrival this afternoon, we enjoy a visit to the Cathedral and the Old City here. While dinner is included at our hotel, the adventurous might consider enjoying the varied delights of the Galatian restaurants in the nearby Old City. Saturday, July 15 - DAY 5 - SANTANDER ??? Following our walk to Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago we return to our hotel for breakfast and then head east to Santander along one of the many ???Routes of St. James.???  While this is our longest coach day, the wonderful scenery of mountains and sea awe us as our roads hug the northern Spanish seacoast. Lunch on our own is taken along our route. Dinner and overnight in Santander.  Sunday, July 16 - DAY 6 - LOURDES - This morning following Mass in a local parish church, we continue eastward along the Basque coast via San Sebastian and cross the border into France.  In late afternoon, we arrive in Lourdes for dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, we join the Torchlight Marian Procession.   Monday, July 17 - DAY 7 - LOURDES - This day is spent in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.  We celebrate Mass at the Grotto, with a morning orientation visit to the Shrine and a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, the Cachot, formerly used as a jail, where she lived during the apparitions, and the parish church.  This afternoon is free for private devotions, Eucharistic Procession, the Blessing of the Sick or the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel.  In the evening, we can once again join the Torchlight Marian Procession.   Tuesday, July 18 - DAY 8 - LOURDES/ ZARAGOZA - This morning we depart Lourdes and traverse the Pyrenees southward entering northern Spain. We travel south to Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon. On arrival, we visit the city which was founded by the Romans. Its luxuriant vegetation, with its many cascades and grottos make it a miniature Switzerland in the middle of arid upper Aragon. This city was also the birthplace of Goya, whose works grace many of the sites we visit. The number one Marian shrine of Spain, the Pilar Basilica commemorates apparitions of Our Lady the Pillar to St. James in 40 AD, and if possible we celebrate Mass here.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Wednesday, July 19 - DAY 9 - ZARAGOZA/MADRID - This morning leaving the city and traveling south we reach Madrid.  This afternoon we visit highlights of Madrid, capital of Spain, including the Gran Via Plaza de España, the Viaduct, Plaza Major, passing by the Bull Ring, Independence and Cibeles Squares, the University, and the Paseo de la Castellana. Later we make our way to our hotel for dinner and overnight  Thursday, July 20 - Day 6 - AVILA - This morning, leaving Madrid, we drive to the charming village of Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa of Jesus, (1515-1582), one of the Church's greatest and most influential mystics. Here we will also visit the Cathedral and the Convent of the Incarnation, where St. Teresa lived for three decades and St. John of the Cross, her spiritual director and confessor lived for the last two years of her life. This afternoon we return to Madrid where we have some free time and we will be free to enjoy the culinary delights of Madrid tonight as dinner is on our own.  Friday, July 21 - DAY 10 - RETURN - We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.