Graces of France

We celebrate an International Mass this morning with pilgrims worldwide in the immense Underground Basilica of Pius X (schedule permitting) followed by a visit to the little village of Bartres, and the farm where St Bernadette was nursed and later returned in adolescence to help her foster mother. We will visit the Sheepfold and the Parish Church where she spent so many hours in prayer.

Optional Blessed Sacrament Procession and evening candlelight procession.

Mass Setting: International Mass at Lourdes

Lourdes overnight (D)

This morning we will celebrate a group Mass at the Grotto before meeting our guide for a walking tour of Lourdes including the Sanctuary area: Upper & Lower Basilicas, the Grotto, and the Baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Continue our visit of the main sites associated with St Bernadette including the Boly Mill where she was born in 1844, the original parish church and the Cachot (prison) where the family was forced to live due to misfortune during the time of the apparitions.

Free time this afternoon for a visit and prayers for the sick at the miraculous Baths where the water has continued to flow since 1858.

Pilgrims may choose t submerge themselves in the healing waters.

Mass Setting: Lourdes Grotto

Lourdes overnight (D)

We farewell Lourdes and continue south into Spain and onto the town of Manresa for Mass where St Ignatius came on retreat for 11 months between 1522 and 1523 actual cave where his life and spirituality developed. We then arrive into stunning Montserrat. The stunning mountaintop shrine is home to a 12th century miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, lovingly known as the “Black Madonna”, discovered in the Santa Cova or Holy Cave.

Time permitting, before dinner we will take the opportunity to join the Benedictine monks in the Basilica for evening Vespers.

Mass Setting: Manresa Cave

Montserrat overnight (D)

Our spectacular day of pilgrimage begins with a visit and Mass in the Basilica, the construction of which began in the 16th century, and a viewing of the beautiful Holy Image of Our Lady of Montserrat, known affectionately as the “Black Madonna.”

Board the Santa Cova funicular railway and after a short ride, we come to the Chapel where the image of Our Lady of Montserrat was found by young shepherds in the 13th century. We take time here at the Holy Cave for prayer and reflection.

Before lunch, we will take our place among the privileged to hear the heavenly sounds of the Montserrat Boys Choir (The Escolania), one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe.

In the afternoon we will travel to Barcelona, a city synonymous with art, culture and faith. See Antonio Gaudi’s inspiring La Sagrada Familia Basilica, the most visited landmark in Barcelona.

Mass Setting: Montserrat Basilica

Barcelona overnight (D)

Fly to Lyon in France this morning to visit the stunning Fourviere Basilica, and admire a wonderful view over the entire city of Lyon. Journey north to nearby Ars, the little village where St John Vianney known as the Cure of Ars was based and to where pilgrims from all over Europe flocked to see him. View his incorrupt body and celebrate our group Mass here.

From here we continue north to Paray-le- Monial, the place where St Margaret Mary Alacoque experienced visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 17th century.

Mass Setting: Ars Basilica

Paray-le-Monial overnight (D)

After breakfast we commence our time here with Mass in the Chapel of Apparitions, located in the Monastery of the Visitation and where most of the apparitions took place.

We then set off for Taize, the tiny hillside community in which young people from all over the world are drawn. Pope St John Paul II referred to Taize as ‘that little springtime’ as pilgrims join in a common weekly programme of prayer meetings, discussion groups and meals. We join with the community for midday prayer, which is sung beautifully in the large candlelit church.

Returning to Paray-le-Monial, we commence our guided visit featuring the relics of St Margaret Mary. Other highlights include the Chapel of St Claude in honour of St Margaret Mary’s Spiritual Director and the Basilica of Sacre Coeur.

Mass Setting: Chapel of Apparitions

Paray-le-Monial overnight (D)

We journey by coach to the town of Nevers nestled within the picturesque Loire Valley. Here we will visit the Convent of St Gildard where St Bernadette’s incorrupt body reposes and may be viewed. After she was blessed with the 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes, St Bernadette retired to Nevers where she died at the age of only 35.

Our pilgrimage takes us on to the great Cathedral city of Chartres where we enter inside the magnificent 13th century Chartres Cathedral, a medieval architectural wonder. Gaze upon stained glass majesty with more than five thousand figures depicting biblical stories and the lives of the saints, presenting to every pilgrim a vision of the heavenly city that awaits us.

Mass Setting: Nevers Convent Chapel

Chartres overnight (D)

Journey west today to Lisieux, one of the world’s favourite pilgrimage sites and home to St Therese, the ‘Little Flower’, whom Pope Pius X called ‘the greatest saint of modern times’. On arrival we enjoy a pilgrimage tour of Lisieux visiting the family home of Les Buissonets, the Carmelite Convent Chapel with its reliquary of the saint and St Therese’s Basilica.

Departing Lisieux we journey west to Normandy and the lovely island of Mont-Saint- Michel. From the Middle Ages people have flocked to the abbey and were so struck by its beauty that they called this place “The Wonder Island”. Today it continues to be a major cultural and pilgrimage centre.

Mass Setting: Carmelite Chapel

Mont-Saint-Michel overnight (D)

A highlight of our visit here will be the Benedictine Abbey, which during the French Revolution was turned into a prison. We plan to join the community here for an inspiring chanted Mass. During our tour we will also see the Chapelle de Notre Dame sous Terre (Underground Chapel of Our Lady). It was built in the late 10th century in the very place that St Aubert erected the oratory in the 8th century.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon.

Mass Setting: Benedictine Abbey

Mont-Saint-Michel overnight (D)

Depart Mont-Saint-Michel this morning and journey east to visit Rouen where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in the marketplace on 30 May 1431. Continue east to Paris our homebound or ongoing flights. (B)