Marian Shrines Pilgrimage Nashville/Atlanta ·  October 2027

Our spiritual pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines begins today as we board our overnight transatlantic flight to Lisbon. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Lisbon, we will be met by our pilgrimage manager who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. Pending our arrival time and confirmation, journey north to the Church of the Holy Miracle in Santarem to see one of the greatest Eucharistic Miracles, “The Bleeding Host.” In the 13th century, a woman stole the host to take to a fortune-teller, but as she was taking it out of church the host began to bleed profusely. Afraid, she put it in a trunk at her home only to be awakened in the middle of the night to a bright light coming from the trunk. Taking the host back to the priest, he put it in a wax pyx. Another miracle happened the next morning when they found that the wax had turned into its own crystal pyx, where it can be venerated to this day. After time for prayer here, continue to Fatima, our home for the next two nights. (D, Mass) Overnight Fatima

A full day is ours in Fatima, where in 1917 three young shepherd children were graced with apparitions of the Virgin Mary. The message of Fatima has inspired generations of Catholics to pray the rosary daily for peace and reparation. Visit the Chapel of Apparitions before praying at the tombs of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta, and Venerable Lucia. Explore the tiny village where the three children lived and continue to Valinhos where Our Lady appeared to the children after they were unjustly imprisoned. It is here she encouraged them and told them they must still come every 13th of the month to see her. This evening, we participate in a beautiful Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra or the candlelight rosary procession in the heart of the shrine. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Fatima

This morning leave Portugal for Spain. En route we will visit Coimbra, a famous university town. It is here where you will visit the Convent of Santa Teresa where Sister Lucia lived, the final visionary who passed away in 2005. Continue across the Portuguese Spanish border to Salamanca, one of Spain’s foremost cultural centers, a great university city and a showcase of intricately sculpted Renaissance architecture in golden stone. Visit the Plaza Mayor, which is regarded as one of the most attractive squares in Spain, and the Cathedrals Vieja and Nueva. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Salamanca

After breakfast, depart Salamanca for Alba de Tormes to visit the Carmelite Convent which contains St. Teresa of Avila’s incorrupt arm and heart. Continue to the walled city of Avila, the birthplace of St. Teresa. Then visit the Convent of St. Teresa which was built after her canonization over the house where she was born. Visit the Monastery of the Incarnation where St. Teresa spent many years of her life, then the Monastery of St. Joseph, her first foundation. Proceed to Madrid to check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Madrid

This morning, visit Segovia where we will pay our respects to another great Carmelite, St. John of the Cross, who served as spiritual director to St. Theresa of Avila. Celebrate Mass at his tomb in the Convent named after him, in which he had lived near the end of his life. We will discover the treasures of Segovia such as the great Gothic Cathedral, the Monastery of Santa María del Parral, the extraordinary Alcazar fortress, and the splendid Roman Aqueduct. Every corner of this old town sparkles with Romanesque churches and fine old houses. Return to Madrid. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Madrid

Today begins in the spiritual heart of Madrid. The Cathedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena was only completed and consecrated in 1993, though construction began in the late 1800s. Across the way is the Royal Palace of Madrid, the largest in Western Europe. The current palace was constructed in the 18th century but was built on top of the remains of a medieval fortress. This afternoon, we depart for Zaragoza, the capital of Spain’s Aragon region, where we will check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Zaragoza

Our first stop today is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. It was here the Blessed Mother appeared to St. James the Greater in 40 A.D. This is the only known instance of the Virgin Mary appearing to someone while she was still alive—bilocating from Jerusalem—to encourage St. James in his preaching of the Gospel in Spain. Then we head out for Montserrat where we will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat, the spiritual heart of Catalonia and home to a dramatically set Benedictine monastery. For a thousand years this Marian shrine has attracted thousands of pilgrims from around the world. We will also visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, one of Spain’s most fervent devotions to the Blessed Mother. Continue to Barcelona, our home for the next three nights. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Barcelona

We begin today going to Sacred Heart, a magnificent neo-Renaissance Church built on the outskirts of Barcelona on a hill. The site offers a beautiful overlook of the city. We will have time here for prayer and reflection before spending the afternoon on our own for exploration before we meet back at our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Barcelona

We begin this morning at Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia: the magnificent basilica of impressive proportions – under construction for nearly 150 years. Topped out in 2026 with the raising of the cross on the Tower of Jesus Christ, now the tallest church in the world, it is also one of the largest and most extravagant churches in the world. Down by the coast we will have time for prayer at Santa Maria del Mar and the Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter before exploring the colorful markets of Las Ramblas. The rest of the day will be for free time and this evening we will gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Barcelona

Today marks the end of a marvelous experience as we transfer to the airport for the return trip home, filled with memories and graces of this pilgrimage that will last a lifetime. (B)