Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines - October 13, 2023

Enjoy a full day on your own in the peaceful setting of Lourdes. This will be a day for prayer and adoration. Visit a place we saw yesterday, explore somewhere new, or just sit in awe and wonder and contemplate the events that happened here and the miracles that still occur. Participate one last time in the evening pilgrim activities before our last overnight in France. (B, D)

Depart Lourdes this morning, crossing the border into Spain, as we journey to Zaragoza. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, where the Virgin Mary 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. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

We depart Zaragoza this morning, continuing our journey West. Segovia awaits to show us the life of the great Carmelite, St. John of the Cross, the spiritual director of St. Teresa of Avila. We have Mass at his tomb and explore the convent where he lived. Pray at the spectacular Segovia Cathedral with more than 20 chapels inside and at the Monastery of St. Joseph, St. Teresa’s ninth foundation. Afterwards, check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Today we learn about Spain’s most famous woman saint, St. Teresa of Avila, a doctor of the Church, as we journey from Segovia to Avila. Visit the Convent of St. Teresa, built over the house where she was born. Pray in the Monastery of the Incarnation where St. Teresa of Avila experienced some of her most mystical encounters with Christ. Continue to Alba de Tormes to venerate her incorrupt arm and heart at the Carmelite Convent, before ending our day in Salamanca, home of some of Spain’s most ornate architecture made out of golden sandstone. Walk through the bustling Plaza Mayor with its sweeping arches and enjoy a taste of Spanish culture before praying in the Cathedrals Vieja (Old) and Nueva (New). The cathedrals have numerous chapels inside, an elaborate high altar panel, and a mixture of architectural design unique to Spain. Overnight tonight in this majestic city. (B, D)

Depart Salamanca this morning for our last journey through the Spanish countryside. Cross the border into Portugal and make our way to the charming riverfront city of Coimbra, Spain. We will stop at the Convent of Santa Clara La Nova where Sister Lucia – one of the visionaries in Fatima – lived until her death in 2005. Later this afternoon, we arrive in Fatima, our home for the next 3 nights. Time permitting, participate (B, D)

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 graves of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta, and Servant of God 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 Sacre or the candlelight rosary procession in the heart of the shrine. (B, D)

Today we will take an excursion outside of Fatima. Our first stop will be at Alcobaca to visit the 12th century Monastery of Alcobaca, the largest church in Portugal and one of the most prestigious monasteries in medieval Europe. This afternoon, continue to the Church of St. Stephen 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, return to Fatima, where we can participate one final time in the evening prayer activities. (B, D)

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)