Visitations & Saints

Theme: St Anthony of Padua

This morning we will meet with our local guide and enjoy a tour of Lisbon city. Our first stop is St Anthony’s Basilica where we celebrate our group Mass. Despite what might be assumed from his name, St Anthony was born and grew up in Lisbon and today remains the patron saint of lost articles.

Visit the World Heritage listed Jeronimo’s Monastery dating back to the 16th century with its stunning combination of flamboyant Gothic, Moorish and early Renaissance influences; see nearby Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries. See Europe’s longest suspension bridge and view the inspiring Statue of Christ the King pointing the way north to Fatima.

En route to Fatima we will visit the Holy Miracle Church of St Stephen at Santarem containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle.

Finally we arrive at Fatima where in 1917 the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children as ‘a lady in white’.

Mass Setting: St Anthony’s Basilica.

Fatima overnight (BD)

Theme: St Francisco & St Jacinta of Fatima

This morning we will walk and pray the Stations along the beautiful Way of the Cross (the Sacred Way) culminating in the Chapel of Calvary which overlooks all of Fatima. Continue to 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. Finally we enter the original Parish church and see the Baptismal font where the children were baptised.

Back in Fatima tonight, the Anniversary Vigil ceremonies begin with an International Rosary followed by a candlelight procession and concelebrated Mass on the steps of the Rosary Basilica. From midnight to dawn an optional all night vigil is held for the enrichment of pilgrims.

Mass Setting: Apparition Chapel.

Fatima overnight (BD)

Theme: Our Lady of Fatima

We awake to the sound of pilgrims from all over the world en route to the morning’s Anniversary celebrations. Commence with a Rosary followed by the procession of Our Lady’s statue to the altar on the steps of the Basilica. Celebrate the International Anniversary Mass followed by the Blessing of the Sick and Consecration. The ceremonies will close around midday with the touching ‘Adios’ spectacle.

We will then enjoy a tour of the Square (the largest 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.

Afternoon at leisure in Fatima.

Mass Setting: International Anniversary Mass.

Fatima overnight (BD)

Theme: St John of the Cross

After breakfast we farewell Fatima and journey inland through Portugal before crossing the border into Spain. Visit Salamanca, known as the ‘Golden City’ owing to the colour of i s historic sandstone buildings. Arrive at Alba de Tormes,  the little village where St Teresa died and where her incorrupt heart and arm are enshrined and displayed in the Carmelite convent. Here too we enter the convent for Mass, where St John of the Cross lived and who companioned St Teresa in her spiritual walk.

We continue on to the historic walled town of Avila, where the atmosphere has changed little since the days of St Teresa to whom the city is dedicated.

Mass Setting: Alba de Tormes Convent.

Avila overnight (BD)

Theme: St Teresa of Avila

We begin our day with a visit to the Convent of Saint Teresa built over the saint’s birthplace and located just inside the South Gate of the old town. 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.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

Mass Setting: Monastery of the Incarnation.

Avila overnight (BD)

Theme: St Dominic

This morning we depart Avila, travelling east by coach to Segovia, between the Eresma and Clamores Rivers. We will visit the stunning Segovia Cathedral, the last Gothic cathedral to be built in Spain. Marvel too at the best conserved aqueduct of the Imperial Roman Empire. Outside the walls, we will visit and celebrate Mass at a convent adjacent to the Vera Cruz church, where the mortal remains of Saint John of the Cross are buried. View here the famous Alcazar.

From here we journey north to Caleruega, the home of Bl Jane of Aza and Felix Guzman and birthplace of their sons, St Dominic, Bl Mannes and Anthony. On our tour we will come to the Crypt where a well marks the spot where Dominic was born around 1170.

Enter the Church of San Sebastian where Dominic was baptised. The original twelfth century apse is still preserved, even though the church has undergone numerous reconstructions.

Journey north to the quaint village of Santo Domingo de Silos, home to the great Benedictine Abbey famous for its beautiful Romanesque cloister and for spreading the finest tradition of Gregorian chant throughout the world.

After dinner we will proceed up to the Abbey for evening prayer.

Mass Setting: Vera Cruz Church.

Santo Domingo de Silos overnight (BD)

Theme: St Ignatius of Loyola

This morning we will attend the chanted High Mass at the Abbey before visiting the adjacent Monastery and Museum.

We then rejoin our coach and set off on our travel day, journeying north to Loyola where St Ignatius was born and where he later found his conversion. In Loyola pilgrims will have the opportunity to visit the impressive Sanctuary of St Ignatius, including the Casa Santa (Holy House) – 13th century tower house – where he was born and spent many of his early years.

Later we 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.

Mass Setting: Benedictine Abbey.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Theme: St Bernadette of Lourdes

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.

We will return to Lourdes to enjoy a peaceful afternoon to rest or wander at your own pace. Optional Blessed Sacrament Procession and evening candlelight procession.

Mass Setting: Internati nal Mass at Lourdes.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Theme: Our Lady of Lourdes

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. 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. Optional afternoon Blessed Sacrament Procession and Blessing of the Sick before a final evening candlelight procession after dinner.

Mass Setting: Lourdes Grotto.

Lourdes overnight (BD)

Theme: Our Lady of Montserrat

We farewell Lourdes early this morning as we again journey through the Pyrenees, crossing the border back in to northern Spain. Continue on to the town of Manresa for Mass in the cave where St Ignatius came on retreat for 11 months between 1522 and 1523.

We then arrive into stunning Montserrat. The renowned 11th century sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat lies at the top of a 4,000 foot high mountain and is one of Spain’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. The 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 have an opportunity to join the Benedictine monks in the Basilica for evening Vespers.

Mass Setting: Manresa Cave.

Montserrat overnight (BD)

Theme: Montserrat Boys Choir

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 to 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.

In the afternoon we will travel to Barcelona, a city synonymous with art, culture and faith. Visit Antonio Gaudi’s inspiring La Sagrada Familia Basilica, the most visited landmark in Barcelona and famous due to the fact that after more than 100 years since the foundation stone was laid it is still under final construction.

Mass Setting: Montserrat

Barcelona overnight (BD)

Your pilgrimage concludes after breakfast this morning o Graces of France extension. (B)