Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Brussels. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

After our midday arrival in Brussels we will be met at the airport by our local pilgrimage manager, who will accompany us throughout our pilgrimage. We will then enjoy a half day visit of Brussels including the Grand Place, the central square of the city; the magnificent St. Michael’s Cathedral; and the National Basilica of Koekelberg, one of the most impressive churches in Europe. We then proceed to our hotel to check-in to our home for the next 3 nights. (D) Overnight Brussels

Today we will take an excursion to Ghent and St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Home of the famous Altar Piece depicting the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb created in the 15th century. Then on to the scenic town of Bruges. Here we will visit the famous Church of Our Lady, featuring Michelangelo’s masterpiece, Madonna and Child. We proceed to the Basilica of the Holy Blood which houses a revered vial containing cloth stained with the actual blood of Christ. After Mass, we will visit the De Halve Maan Brewery and see the two-mile underground beer pipeline. Then, depart Bruges and return to Brussels for overnight. (B, D) Overnight Brussels

Following breakfast, we journey to the Shrine of Our Lady of Beauraing, the Virgin with the Golden Heart where, in 1932-1933, the Blessed Mother appeared to a group of 5 young children 33 times. After Mass at the shrine, we will proceed to Scourmont Abbey, another Trappist monastery, settled in 1850. Now famous for its Chimay beers and cheeses, the Abbey is integral to the village life on the Scourmont plateau. After visiting portions of the abbey and tasting some of its famous beer we will return to Brussels for overnight. (B, D) Overnight Brussels

This morning, we will depart Brussels and drive to Banneux where we will visit the Shrine of the Virgin of the Poor. It was here in 1933 where the Virgin appeared to 11-year-old Mariette Beco eight times. After celebrating Mass, we proceed to the Abbey of Val-Dieu, a Cistercian – not Trappist – Abbey founded in 1216 and famous for its beer, now the only Belgian abbey beer still 100% brewed in a living abbey. After enjoying some beer tasting we continue across the border into Germany and on to Aachen, where we visit the Cathedral and the Gothic Marian Shrine housing the swaddling clothes of Jesus, the loin cloth of the Lord, the cloth for John the Baptist’s head, and the Blessed Virgin’s Cloak. We will finish our day by journeying to Cologne and checking-in at our hotel, our home for the next two nights. (B, D) Overnight Cologne

This morning, we will enjoy a full day tour of the city of Cologne (Köln in German). We will begin our day with a visit to the magnificent Cathedral which holds the relics of the three Magi and the staff belonging to St. Peter. We will admire some of the Romanesque churches that survived World War II including the Church of St. Andreas containing the remains of the St. Albert the Great, teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas; and the Church of St. Ursula which houses the remains of St. Ursula and 11,000 martyrs, all killed in Cologne at the hands of the Huns in the 2nd century. Our day’s sightseeing also includes visits to Cologne City Hall, the Old Town district, bustling Roncalliplatz, and the historic Alter Markt square. While in the city, we should be sure to try the local specialty – Kölsch Bier – brewed only in this region.(B, D) Overnight Cologne

After breakfast this morning we will depart Cologne by train for Munich, the capital of Bavaria, located in southern Germany and known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and beer halls. Upon arrival in Munich we will be transferred to our hotel, our home for the next three nights, for check-in with the remainder of the day free to explore this historic city. (B, D) Overnight Munich

Today we will enjoy a full day tour of Munich including visits to the Burgersaal, the Michaelskirche, the Frauenkirche, the Marienplatz and its famous Rathaus-Glockenspiel clock, and Nymphenburg Palace – the summer home of the Bavarian monarchs. We will round out our day with a visit to the Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau (Brewery) where we will enjoy a tour of the brewery followed by a beer tasting. (B, D) Overnight Munich

Today we will take a full day tour outside of Munich. We travel first to Neuschwanstein Castle to see the most famous of the fairytale castles built by King Ludwig II, and the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle. Next, we will visit the Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow) also known as the Church of Scourged Redeemer, considered to be the most beautiful Rococo church in Europe. Return to Munich for dinner at the festive Hofbrauhaus. (B, D) Overnight Munich

Early this morning we depart Munich and visit Erding, site of the famous Eucharistic miracle from 1417, dedicated to the Most Precious Blood. Then on to Altotting, which is Germany’s most significant pilgrimage site for the veneration of Mary. In the Miraculous Image Chapel, the first recorded miracle occurred in 1489 when a desperate mother laid the dead body of her drowned child before the statue of Our Lady and the child became alive. Ever since, this little village has been growing as a spiritual shrine for millions of pilgrims. After Mass in Altotting we will continue across the Austrian‐German border and stop in Maria Plain, which has been a famous pilgrimage site since the 17th century. Continue a short distance to Salzburg for the first of our two overnights. (B, D) Overnight Salzburg

Stroll through the heart of old Salzburg and see Mozart’s birthplace, the famous Horse Fountain, the Hohen Salzburg Fortress, the Monastery, and the modern Festival Hall. Visit the religious heritage of this town including the 17th century Cathedral, Nonnberg Convent which was founded by St. Rupert in the 8th Century and is the oldest nunnery in existence, and the Benedictine Abbey of St. Peter which was also founded by St. Rupert. Later this afternoon visit Hellbrunn Palace, a 17th Century castle known primarily for its trick fountains which spray unsuspecting walkers with water. Tonight, we will enjoy a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant. (B, D) Overnight Salzburg

Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home, cherishing all of the wonderful memories and graces of this pilgrimage. (B)