Punzolan Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 11 days

Europe
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Created: 28.02.2014

Monday, October 19 - DAY 1 - DEPART - We depart   JFK on our overnight flight where we enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Tuesday, October 20 - DAY 2 - LISBON/SANTAREM /FATIMA - We arrive in Lisbon Airport where we are met and given a short orientation tour of Lisbon, where St. Anthony was born and grew up. We visit St Anthony???s Church and time permitting, the St. Cathedral of Lisbon.  Afterward, we drive to Santarem and visit the 750 years old Eucharistic Miracle at the Church of the Holy Miracle.  We celebrate Mass here.  We continue to Fatima.  After dinner, we may relax or stroll at the Basilica Square, visit the Blessed Sacrament Chapel or participate in the Rosary and candlelight procession.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Wednesday, October 21 - DAY 3 - FATIMA - This full day is devoted to visiting the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima and nearby hamlets of Aljustrel and Valinhos. We celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions, where our Lady appeared 5 times.  The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 6 times to three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, from May 13 to October 13, 1917. In the Basilica, we visit their graves and later their homes in Aljustrel. We follow the Station of the Cross along the Via Sacra.  Between the VIII and the IX stations is the site where Our Lady appeared to the 3 children on Aug 19, 1917. We visit Loca do Cabeco, the Angel???s Grotto where the Angel gave the children Holy Communion and taught them to pray, to prepare them for the encounter with the Blessed Mother. The Angel appeared to them 3 times, twice at the Grotto.  In the evening we join the Rosary and candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Thursday, October 22 - DAY 4 - FATIMA/ALBA DE TORMES /AVILA/MADRID - Early this morning we drive to Alba de Tormes, where St Teresa of Avila, first woman Doctor of the Church and one of the  great  mystics,  died in 1582 and was buried.   We celebrate Mass at the Carmelite Convent of the Annunciation.  Here her incorrupt body is kept, along with two of her most renowned relics: her left arm and her heart. We proceed to Avila, her birthplace, which has kept its medieval austerity and has changed very little since the 11th century.  The well-preserved walls with 82 semicircular towers and 9 gates surround the old own. We briefly 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 his life. Afterward, we continue to Madrid, capital of Spain for dinner and overnight at our hotel. Friday, October 23 - DAY 5 - MADRID - This morning, we celebrate Mass at the famous Cathedral of Madrid and then visit highlights of the city, including the Gran Via Plaza de España, the Viaduct, Plaza Major, the Bull Ring, Independence and Cibeles Squares, the University, and the Paseo de la Castellana. In the afternoon, we will visit artistic Madrid, including the Gate of Alcala, Retiro Park, the Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, and the famous Prado Museum. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Saturday, October 24 - DAY 6 - MADRID/ZARAGOZA/LOURDES - We depart early this morning for our drive to Lourdes.  We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pilar in Zaragoza, the number one Marian site in Spain.  According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St James in 40 AD to comfort him and assure him that his efforts will not be in vain. At the time, St James was disheartened by his evangelization efforts in Spain. The Blessed Mother gave him a jasper pillar as a symbol of strong faith and a wooden image of herself.  This is the first recorded Marian Apparition in history and the only one which took place during the earthly life of the Blessed Mother.  After a short visit of the Basilica, we continue our journey to Lourdes and traverse the Pyrenees northward entering southern France. Transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.  In the evening, we pray the rosary at the Basilica and visit the Grotto.  We may also join the Torchlight Marian procession.  Sunday, October 25 - Day 7- LOURDES - This morning, we begin with Mass at the Grotto and an orientation tour of the Shrine of Lourdes.  Our walking tour will take us to Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, the Cachot, the former jail, where she lived during the apparitions and the local parish church.  This afternoon is free for personal devotions to Our Lady of Lourdes including, for those who wish, the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring. Tonight, following dinner we have the option of participating in the Torch light Procession. Overnight at our hotel.  Monday, October 26 - Day 8 - LOURDES/PARIS - This morning we transfer to the airport in Pau for our flight to Paris. Upon arrival, we tour its sites including a visit to the most enduring symbol of the French capital, Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de la Cite. Time permitting we have lunch on our own at the Louvre Cafeteria. This afternoon, we visit the Miraculous Medal Shrine of St. Catherine Laboure, then the St. Vincent de Paul Shrine. The body of St. Vincent de Paul resides in the motherhouse of The Congregation of the Mission. When you enter the church, your attention is drawn to the Saint???s Reliquary located above the main altar which displays his bones encased in a waxen figure. Visitors have access to the Reliquary from a circular staircase located behind the main altar. In 1712 St. Vincent???s body was found to be incorrupt when exhumed.  In 1937 when exhumed again for his canonization, his body has decomposed due to underground flooding.  His incorrupt heart is kept in a reliquary at the Miraculous Medal Shrine.  Afterward we enjoy  a panoramic tour of Paris, including a drive along Champs-Elysees, one of the most beautiful avenues and expensive piece of real estate in the world, 2 kilometers long, lined with luxury shops, cafes and cinemas.  It is bordered on the opposite end by beautiful gardens, fountains and grand buildings.  The Champ-Elysees ends at the Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon???s triumphal arch commissioned in 1806 to commemorate his victories. Transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight. After dinner, we are free to explore Paris on our own. Stroll at Champ-Elysees or visit the Eiffel Tower.  We can also enjoy a magical night cruise along the Seine River and see the majestic sights of the Eiffel Tower, illuminated buildings and bridges of the City of Light. Tuesday, October 27 - Day 9 - NEVERS/PARIS ??? This morning, we travel to Nevers where St. Bernadette of Lourdes spent the last 13 years of her life.  We view her incorrupt body in the Convent of St. Gildard.  We return to Paris where again, we are free to explore, shop or visit its landmarks and other sites.  Dinner on our own.  Overnight at our hotel. Wednesday, October 28 - Day 10 - LISIEUX /PARIS- Today we venture out of Paris to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese the Little Flower, where we celebrate Mass in the village convent. We also visit the Basilica dedicated to St. Therese.  The Basilica is the objective for pilgrims from the world over who come to kneel in solemn prayer to St. Therese.  Here we visit Les Buissonnets, where St. Therese lived as a child. Tonight we have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary treasures of Paris as dinner will be on our own.  Overnight at our hotel. Thursday, October 29 - Day 11 ??? PARIS/USA - This morning, we celebrate Mass at a nearby church.  The rest of the day is free for shopping or exploration or join an optional tour to Versailles.  This afternoon, we return to the airport for our flight to JFK where we arrive tonight with unforgettable memories to cherish always.  Dinner will be on our own at the airport.