Mary Immaculate Eagle Vale, Parish Pilgrimage

Mary Immaculate Eagle Vale, Parish Pilgrimage

Fatima (2) / Avila (1) / Zaragoza (1) / Barcelona / Montserrat (2) / Manresa / Lourdes (3) / Carcassonne / Marseille (1) / La Salette (2) / Mont Blanc / Krakow (3) / Kalwaria Zebrzydowska / Wadowice / Auschwitz / Czestochowa (1) / Warsaw (1)

  • With Fr Leo Mifsud
  • 17 Nights / 20 Days
  • Departs Thursday 4 May 2023
  • Mass Daily
  • SOLD OUT!

Itinerary

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) = Dinner

DAY 1THURSDAY 4TH MAY 2023 – DEPART FOR EUROPE

DAY 2FRIDAY 5TH MAY - ARRIVE LISBON TO FATIMA

On arrival at Lisbon airport we will be met and board our coach, journeying north to Fatima where in 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children as ‘a lady in white’.

Fatima overnight (D)

Day 3SATURDAY 6TH MAY - FATIMA

This morning we will visit Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance to three peasant children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Proceed on to the little village of Aljustrel to visit the homes where the children lived. Enter the original Parish church and see the Baptismal font where the children were baptised.

Back in Fatima we will then enjoy a tour of the Square (the largest square in Christendom) including the site of the Apparitions, Rosary Basilica with the Tombs of the visionaries, the Museum, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and other main sites. 

Remainder of the afternoon is free. 

Fatima overnight (BD)

Day 4SUNDAY 7TH MAY – FATIMA TO AVILA

Farewelling Fatima, we travel by coach across the border into Spain and on to the walled city of Avila where the atmosphere has changed little since the days of St Teresa to whom the city is dedicated. It was here that she entered the Carmelite convent and encountered many mystical experiences during her time.

On arrival we pass through the city walls and a visit the Convent of Saint Teresa built over the saint’s birthplace and located just inside the South Gate of the old town. Most of the convent remains in cloister but you can see the very spot where she was born, now a chapel in the Baroque church. We then visit Avila’s Cathedral which was started in the 12th century before entering the Monastery of the Incarnation for Mass where St Teresa’s cell can be seen as well as other relics of her life.

Avila overnight (BD)

Day 5MONDAY 8TH MAY - AVILA TO ZARAGOZA

This morning we depart Avila, journeying east by coach to Zaragoza, affectionately recorded as the town of the Blessed Mother’s first appearance on earth. 

On arrival our tour of Zaragoza features the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pilar where we will celebrate Mass. According to local legend, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared here to the Apostle St James the Great alongside the River Ebro and instructed him to build a church.

Zaragoza overnight (BD)

Day 6TUESDAY 9TH MAY - VIA BARCELONA TO MONTSERRAT

Departing Zaragoza we travel east to Barcelona, a city synonymous with art, culture and faith. Experience the cultural canvas that underpinned many of Picasso’s artworks and view the unique and colourful architecture of Antonio Gaudi dispersed throughout the city. We will explore his famous La Sagrada Familia Basilica. 

In the late afternoon we will arrive into Montserrat.  The renowned eleventh-century sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat lies at the top of a 4000 foot high mountain and is one of Spain’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. The shrine is home to a twelfth-century miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, lovingly known as the “Black Madonna”, discovered in the Santa Cova or Holy Cave. Here at Montserrat St Ignatius kept vigil with a coarse sackcloth and a pilgrim staff.

Montserrat overnight (BD)

Day 7WEDNESDAY 10TH MAY - MONTSERRAT

The spirit of Montserrat is a unique blend of the mountain, the sanctuary, and the life of monasticism. Around the sanctuary you will find many different banners and emblems representing various religious, cultural, social, financial and even sporting organisations. 

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.”  

We will then board the Santa Cova funicular railway and after a short ride, enjoy a walk down the sacred path passing modernist sculptures of the Mysteries of the Rosary (all worked on by Llimona and Gaudi among others). Almost hanging from the rock’s edge at the end of the route is the Chapel where the image of Our Lady of Montserrat was found by young shepherds in the 13th century after seeing a bright light which led them to the grotto. We take time here at the Holy Cave for prayer and reflection before taking the funicular railway back up to the Sanctuary. 

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.

We will then have a private guided tour of the museums.

Remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Montserrat overnight (BD)

Day 8THURSDAY 11TH MAY - VIA MANRESA TO LOURDES

We farewell Montserrat and travel nearby to the town of Manresa for Mass where St Ignatius came on retreat for 11 months between 1522 and 1523.  Each day he spent seven hours in prayer in a cave and then helped the sick in the village with the time he had left over. Here too, Ignatius began to develop the method for seeking God’s will and where he wrote his renowned Spiritual Exercises. We come as pilgrims to this amazing place with St Ignatius and pray in the actual cave where his life and spirituality developed. 

Travel through the scenic foothills of the Pyrenees, crossing into Southern France before continuing on to Lourdes. It was in this small town that Our Lady first appeared to St Bernadette in 1858.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 9FRIDAY 12TH MAY – LOURDES

This morning we will celebrate a group Mass at the Grotto, before 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.

We will return to Lourdes to enjoy a peaceful afternoon to rest or wander at your own pace or take the time to pray the Stations of the Cross with the life sized copper images which overlook the holy Grotto. Spend some quiet time perhaps reflecting at the Grotto with its chapel built over the place of the apparitions.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 10SATURDAY 13TH MAY – LOURDES

We celebrate an International Mass this morning with pilgrims worldwide in the immense Underground Basilica of Pius X (schedule permitting) 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. We 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 to submerge themselves in the healing waters, or collect the Lourdes water at the taps. During her 9th apparition to Bernadette, Our Lady said “Go drink and wash yourself at the spring”. Optional afternoon Blessed Sacrament Procession and Blessing of the Sick before a final evening candlelight procession after dinner.

Note:  Washing at the baths is a personally rewarding experience and is carried out in a discreet manner with the process being very respectful of one’s privacy.  

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Day 11SUNDAY 14TH MAY – LOURDES TO MARSEILLE

We embark on our travel day today, departing Lourdes and travelling east by coach. We enjoy a leisurely lunch break in Carcassonne, the medieval walled town which lies on the right bank of the River Aude and is featured on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. 

We continue in the afternoon to Marseille where we will check in to our hotel before dinner. 

Marseille overnight (BD)

Day 12MONDAY 15TH MAY – MARSEILLE TO LA SALETTE

Our morning visit includes the Cathedral of Marseille. This is the Cathedral begun by Eugene de Mazenod during his time as Bishop of Marseille, and which became his final resting place.

Travel up to the Shrine of Notre-Dame de la Garde where Oblates gathered (even as late as the 1960’s) to farewell departing missionaries. On the ship, just as they were losing sight of land but could still see the glimmering gold statue of the Virgin atop the shrine, the missionaries gathered to sing a final Salve Regina.

In the afternoon coach transfer to La Salette set amidst spectacular alpine pastureland where Our Lady appeared weeping to the children Melanie and Maximim in 1846.

La Salette overnight (BD)

Day 13TUESDAY 16TH MAY - LA SALETTE

We enjoy a guided tour of the site of the apparitions marked by statues. Witness the spring that began the flow after the apparition occurred and later enjoy a video presentation telling us the story of La Salette. 

Free time in La Salette this afternoon to wander the shrine or perhaps take a short hike in our lovely surrounds.

La Salette overnight (BD)

Day 14WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY - LA SALETTE / MONT BLANC / WARSAW

We enjoy a scenic coach transfer through the Alps today to Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. Board the cable car for a breathtaking ride.

We then cross the border into Switzerland and continue to Geneva airport for our flight connections to Warsaw.  On arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel. 

Warsaw overnight (BD)

Day 15THURSDAY 18TH MAY –WARSAW & CZESTOCHOWA

Before departing Warsaw, we will enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town. 

We will then continue onto to Czestochowa – Czestochowa is home to the cherished miraculous icon of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, an object of veneration for centuries (also known as the Black Madonna). Attracting more than five million pilgrims every year, Our Lady of Czestochowa is recognized as one of the most visited places of Christian pilgrimage in the world. 

On arrival we will proceed to the Jasna Gora shrine where we will celebrate our group Mass. We will then tour the Basilica, Treasury, Museum and Knights Hall. A highlight will be the opportunity to pray before the image of the Black Madonna in the ancient chapel. 

Czestochowa overnight (BD)

Day 16FRIDAY 19TH MAY - CZESTOCHOWA / AUSCHWITZ / WADOWICE

After breakfast we will visit the fortress monastery of the Pauline Monks of Jasna Gora (meaning Bright Hill) is located. 

We journey south and enter on a deeply moving encounter of Auschwitz where we mourn the millions of people who were put to death in this, the biggest concentration camp of Hitler’s Nazism. Pope St John Paul II has termed this place the Golgotha of the modern world. We pray in the martyrdom bunker of St Maximilian Kolbe and view his cell while reflecting upon his selfless courage. After the tour of Auschwitz, we will have Mass in one of the beautiful town Churches.  

Continue to Wadowice, the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (the now canonised Pope St John Paul II) where we enter his family house and even the grounds where he used to play Football!  The central point of the town is the market square with its Parish Church, and the famous Baptismal basin where Karol was baptized.  Next to the church, we find the saint’s birthplace and the nearby Museum encompassing the former home of the Wojtyla family.

If it can be arranged, we may have dinner locally so we can walk to the shrine after dinner to join in the beautiful evening devotions in the Black Madonna Chapel.

Continue to  Krakow and check in to our hotel.

Krakow overnight (BD)

Day 17SATURDAY 20TH MAY – KRAKOW

Today we commence our walking tour at the Wawel Cathedral where in the crypt below Fr Karol was ordained in 1946 and celebrated his first Mass. 

Continue on to St Mary’s Church, University and Market Square to experience one of the most beautiful medieval city centres in Europe. Enter St. Florians Church, where the young Karol developed a flourishing underground youth ministry at great risk.

After lunch we visit the celebrated Marian site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, which remains the favourite boyhood shrine of Pope St John Paul II.

Krakow overnight (BD)

Day 18SUNDAY 21ST MAY – KRAKOW

We begin our day at the inspired Shrine of Divine Mercy where, between 1931 – 1938 Our Lord appeared to Sr Faustina Kowalska (a Polish Sister of Mercy) entrusting with her the mission of spreading His message of merciful love for humanity. We will celebrate Mass at the shrine, and witness the miraculous image of the Merciful Jesus before venerating the tomb of St Faustina. 

Visit the nearby ‘Have No Fear’ John Paul II Shrine where we can encounter ‘the person of John Paul II, his thoughts, his spirit and his sanctity’ (Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz). 

Travel out then for an enthralling tour of the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines, the oldest operational mines in Europe and dating back to the 13th century.

Krakow overnight (BD)

Day 19MONDAY 22ND MAY– DEPART POLAND

Today we will be transferred to Krakow airport for our homebound flight connections. (B)

Day 20TUESDAY 23RD MAY – ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

* All tour inclusions and order of daily arrangements remain subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances, which may arise, or at the discretion of the tour leadership.

Dates & Prices

Dates
Chaplain
Tour Cost
4 - 23 May 2023
Fr Leo Mifsud
AUD $8290
More info
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PV2304
4 - 23 May 2023
More info

Dates

4 - 23 May 2023

Chaplain

Fr Leo Mifsud

Tour Cost

AUD $8290

Tour Code

PV2304

Single Room

AUD $1490 Supplement

Air & Tour

Included

Start/Finish

Fatima/Warsaw

Prepaid Tips

$14 PPPD†

* Costs are indicative and must remain subject to possible change in the event of significant exchange rate variations, tax & hotel changes or minimum group size factors beyond Harvest’s control. Refer to Harvest Terms & Conditions.
† Per Person, Per Day

Inclusions
  • ACCOMMODATION & MEALS: Based on Superior Standard / 4-Star accommodation • Most meals
  • TOURING & TRANSPORTATION: Deluxe Air Conditioned Coach touring • Professional Pilgrimage Escort / Local Guides • Sightseeing and Entrance Fees
  • OTHER: Fully Escorted by Pilgrimage Chaplain • Porterage at hotels • Harvest Backpack, Pilgrims Journal and Tour Wallet
Not Included
  • Other meals not listed
  • Passport and Visa Costs (if applicable)
  • Items of a personal nature including phone calls, laundry, beverages, etc.
  • Travel insurance - ask Harvest about its preferred World Assist Travel Insurance
  • Prepaid Tips

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