St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church La Salette Marian Shrines Pilgrimage

DAILY ITINERARY: 

Depart from the US for an overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.

Arrive at Lisbon Airport. After checking through immigration and customs, we will be greeted by our English-speaking Tour Manager and bus driver. Then we will enjoy a panoramic city tour including St. Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Belem Tower and Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua marking his birthplace. Celebrate Mass. In the afternoon, we will continue to Fatima. Check in at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

We spend the day in Fatima. Start the day with mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. We will visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica and the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta, and Sr. Lucia. We will also visit the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In Aljustrel and Valinhos, we will see the two homes of the little shepherds and site of the first and third visit of the “Angel of Peace”. Finally, we will stop at the Parish Church and the cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. After dinner, we will join the nightly candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

In the morning, we depart Fatima for Santiago de Compostela. Lunch on your own en route. This afternoon we will tour the historical center of Santiago, including a guided tour of the Cathedral, and the crypt holding the relics of St James the Apostle. Join Pilgrim Mass or celebrate private mass at Pilgrims Office chapel or local church. Dinner & overnight at hotel in Santiago.

Check out of hotel, depart for Oviedo where upon arrival we will visit the Church of St Salvador, which is home for the Sudarium of Oviedo believed to be the cloth that covered Jesus' face after the crucifixion. Celebrate mass.  Lunch on your own.  Proceed to Santander, check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

In the morning after check-out, we depart to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit Order. St. Ignatius dedicated himself to becoming a soldier of the Christian faith, he wrote the ever-famous Spiritual Exercises. In Loyola, you will see the 17th-century Basilica dedicated to this remarkable saint. Mass at the Shrine. Lunch on your own. We proceed to Lourdes. Upon arrival we check-in, have dinner and overnight stay.

As we wake up to the serene waters and quaint community of Lourdes, we visit the historical and spiritual sites associated with the visionary child Bernadette. We begin at the Grotto of the Apparitions, and then continue on a guided walking tour visiting the Basilica of St. Pius X, Boly Mill, Soubirous family home, the Basilica of the Rosary, the miraculous spring and the healing baths. Celebrate Mass. After dinner, we will have the chance to join in the candlelight procession. Overnight in Lourdes.

Early morning with Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. Following breakfast at hotel we depart Lourdes to Avignon. Independent lunch en route. This afternoon we visit Avignon located along the Rhône River. It looks and feels like the backdrop of a medieval fairy tale. It was Pope Clemente V who put the town on the map when he built the 3-acre Papal Palace. We enjoy a guided tour of the palace. Some free time to stroll the old town streets. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight Avignon.

This morning, we depart to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, nestled in the mountains amid stunning scenery making it one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in France. Independent lunch. This afternoon we visit the Shrine where on September 19, 1846 the Virgin Mary appeared to two young shepherds ‘Melanie Mathieu & Maximin Giraud’. Visit the Basilica where we celebrate mass and have a drink of water from the spring that marks where the Virgin Mary appeared. Check into the guest house at La Salette. Rest of the day for prayer and reflections. Dinner and Overnight at La Salette.

Today we enjoy free time around the Shrine of la Salette, mass at the Shrine. Lunch on your own.  Dinner and overnight at La Salette. There will be an Opstinil Hike or Day trip to the villige and take a cable car to the mountins 

This morning we depart for Nevers, en route stopping at Ars. The little town of Ars has become famous through the holy life and labors of St. John Vianney, its beloved Cure. The story of John Vianney emphasizes how God uses the simple and underrated people to confound those who are regarded as wise by the world. A man who was considered only marginally fit to be a priest and became a saint. Upon arrival, we visit the Shrine dedicated to St. Jean Marie Vianney, the patron saint of the priesthood, and celebrate mass. Independent Lunch. Proceed to Nevers, where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the congregation of the Sisters of Nevers and died from severe illness at the age of 35. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Nevers.

This morning, we celebrate mass at St. Gildard Convent, where St. Bernadette of Lourdes lies in repose. Depart for Paris. Independent Lunch. This afternoon, we take the funicular to the top of the hill where the Shrine is located and visit the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica that stands atop Montmartre Hill. The Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was originally built in 1914 as an act of penance for the infidelity that France was experiencing during that time. Visit the shrine, see the remarkable artwork and architecture that forms the Basilica, the beautiful mosaic of the Risen Christ, and more. Dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Paris.

Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Paris. We start with Our Lady of Miraculous Medal, where we celebrate Mass, after which we will have the opportunity to view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure. The Saint's guardian angel led her to the chapel, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal, as well as the green scapular. Proceed to Saint Vincent de Paul Church, then continue the tour of Paris. Our panoramic tour will take us to the most recognizable symbol of the city of Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, Invalides, the L'Arch de Triomphe and the Champ-Elysées, one of the world's most famous boulevards. We will make a stop at La Madeleine, with the statue of Mary Magdalene carried to heaven by angels. Some free time to explore Paris. Farewell dinner cruise on Seine River.  Overnight at your hotel in Paris.

After breakfast, we depart our hotel to Paris Airport for our departure flight home to the USA. Arrive in ATL the same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.