Stanish Marian Shrines Pilgrimage 11 days

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Created: 05.01.2015

Monday, October 19 - DAY 1 - DEPART - We depart Chicago (Midway or O???Hare to connect with our overnight flight with dinner arriving the next day. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft. Tuesday, October 20 - DAY 2 - LISBON/FATIMA - We arrive in Lisbon, 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, we join the International Rosary 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 the birthplaces of Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia to whom the Virgin appeared for the first time on May 13th, 1917.  In the evening, we once again join the International Rosary Procession.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Thursday, October 22 - 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. Friday,  October 23 - 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.  Saturday,  October 24 - 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 Rosary Procession.   Sunday, October 25 - 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.   Monday, October 26 - DAY 8 - LOURDES/ZARAGOZA - This morning we depart Lourdes and traverse the Pyrenees southward entering northern Spain. We travel eastward 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.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel. Tuesday, October 27 - DAY 9 - ZARAGOZA/MONTSERRAT - This morning we drive to Montserrat on the outskirts of Barcelona and celebrate Mass at the Monastery housing the famed Black Madonna. If possible we enjoy the mid day music of the famous boys choir here.  Dinner and overnight at our Monastery hotel here. Wednesday, October 28 - Simon & Jude - Day 10 ??? BARCELONA - This morning we drive to Barcelona to celebrate Mass at the Cathedral.  Afterwards we through the Gothic quarter bisected by the famous Ramblas and see the important new developments at the pleasure port where many of the Olympic events were held in 1992. We enjoy a spectacular view from the top of the Montjuic hill, pass by the Exchange and visit the Church of the Holy Family or Sagrada Familia, the still uncompleted masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi. Afterwards we visit the Unesco World Heritage "Park Guell" one of Gaudi's Masterpieces of "landscape architecture.???  We return to Montserrat for dinner and overnight at our hotel.  Thursday, October 29 - DAY 11 - RETURN - We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.