Day
1 New York - Paris
Embark on your pilgrimage via New York’s JFK Airport for your
overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast are served on
board.
Day 2
Paris
Upon arrival we begin with a guided tour of this beautiful city,
celebrating Mass at the Church of the Miraculous Medal. We
will see the splendor of the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the
Champs Elysees, L’Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Church of
the Sacre Coeur and the Church of St Vincent De Paul. Dinner
and overnight in the spectacular City of Lights.
Day
3 Paris / Excursion to Nevers
Depart by motor coach for Nevers by way of the picturesque Loire
Valley. St Bernadette lived for 12 years as part of the congregation
of the Sister of Nevers, after taking the veil in 1867. Throughout
her life she suffered from and eventually died from asthma, at the
age of 35. Behold St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body at the
convent of St Gildard, miraculously preserved since her death in
1879. Dinner and return to the hotel in Paris.
Day 4
Paris - Lisbon - Santarem - Fatima
After an breakfast, we take a short flight to Lisbon. Once
settled, we will begin with an orientation drive through Lisbon,
stopping in the town of Santarem, one of the oldest cities in the
world. We will walk through the narrow streets to the Church
of St Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic
miracle. Behold the 750 year old Holy Miracle of Santarem, a
relic of the Bleeding Host. Stolen by a woman in payment to a
sorcerer, the host begin to emit a brilliant beam of light and began
to profusely bleed. Reverently returned to the church of St
Stephen, this miracle has been on continuous display since
1269. In the early afternoon, we drive to nearby Fatima,
the location of the Blessed Mother who appeared in 1917 to three
simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world
peace. After settling into your hotel, you may participate in
the candlelight procession or relax. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Fatima
After breakfast, we will celebrate morning Mass at the Little Chapel
of the Apparitions. We will tour Fatima and see the Basilica,
site of Francesco's and Jacinta's graves; the Hamlet of Aljustrel,
where the children lived; and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's
appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the
Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) was
built by Hungarian refugees and culminates in the Chapel of Calvary
which overlooks all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world
in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Don’t
forget your white handkerchief for the Adeus farewell, when
thousands of pilgrims wave a loving farewell to the statue of Our
Lady of the Rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.
Day 6
Fatima - Coimbra - Salamanca - Palencia
After breakfast we depart by motor coach to the city of Coimbra.
Here you will see the incorrupt body of St Isabel and the Carmelite
cloister where Sister Lucia still lives. We will drive into
Spain to the old University town of Salamanca. An orientation drive
through this lovely city includes the 16th-century Plateresque
buildings, the Roman-style Cathedral with its altar depicting 53
scenes from Christ’s life, the Convent of the Holy Spirit, the
House of the Dead from 1515, and Monterrey Palace. Onto Palancia for
dinner and overnight.
Day 7
Palencia - Loyola - Lourdes
After breakfast we leave for the beautiful city of Loyola. We
will celebrate Mass at the Basilica and enjoy a short tour of the
home town of St Ignatius de Loyola. It was in Loyola that Our
Lady appeared to St Ignatius with the Christ Child and his profound
conversion began. Later in his life, St. Ignatius renounced
his portion of his family’s wealth, wrote the famous book of
spiritual
exercises and became the founder of the Jesuit Order. We cross
into France and continue to the great pilgrimage center of
Lourdes. Dinner and overnight.
Days 8
& 9 Lourdes
During your stay in Lourdes you will have a chance to celebrate
daily Mass at the Grotto, enjoy a video presentation telling the
story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St Bernadette.
See the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, view the “Cachot”
an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived
in humility. Join your prayers with pilgrims from around the
world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous
spring the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the
grotto which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Submerge yourself
at the Baths which claim thousands of healings. Experience Christ’s
love as you walk the life-size Stations of the Cross overlooking the
holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built
on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the
“Immaculate Conception”. Contemplate Christ’s Passion as you
pray the unique 3-dimensional Stations of the Cross; attend the
blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight
processions requested by Our Lady. Time for private devotions before
dinner and overnight.
Day 10
Lourdes - Sete - Nice
Breakfast, then we drive south-east to the French Riviera with a
stop in Sete located on the pristine shoreline of the famous
Mediterranean Coast. Our travels end today with our arrival in the
glamorous French city of Nice, for a relaxing dinner and overnight.
Day 11
Nice - Siena - Assisi
Depart from Nice for Siena, Italy’s loveliest medieval city was
home to St. Catherine and St. Bernardine. Here we will stroll
the Piazza del Campo, one of Italy's finest squares. Celebrate Mass
at the Cathedral. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis,
containing the miraculous consecrated hosts that have remained
completely intact since 1730. View the incorrupt head of St.
Catherine,
the mystical bride of Christ, at St. Dominic’s
Basilica. Later we drive through the panoramic Umbria
region to the pilgrimage center of Assisi, where St Francis tended
the poor and sick and founded the Franciscan order. Dinner and
overnight at our hotel.
Day 12
Assisi - Rome
Breakfast, then we celebrate Mass at the tomb of St Francis.
Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis which still
retains an unspoiled quality similar to the early 1200’s when he
began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century
Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes
depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which
Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild His church.
It was St Mary of the Angels Basilica, where St Francis spent most
of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush,
and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval
streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor
cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of
St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. The foundress of
the Order of Poor Clare’s followed the teachings of St. Francis
and lived life in poverty and humility. This afternoon we
drive to Rome for dinner and overnight.
Day 13
Rome
After breakfast, we begin our tour of the Eternal City.
We will pass the Coliseum, the Roman Forum and explore St Paul
Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under the
main altar. Many relics are displayed, along with the chains
that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in Rome. We will
visit the Church of St Peter in Chains to see Michelangelo's
incomparable statue of Moses. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 14
Rome (Papal Audience at the Vatican)
After breakfast we go to Vatican City and attend the weekly Papal
Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II.
Visit St Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was
martyred. This largest religious temple in the world has
housed 264 popes. Unsurpassed in beauty, importance and
history, pilgrims from around the world are welcome to the most
grandiose, sacred church in the world. View historical
treasures such as a piece of the true cross, the lance that pierced
Christ’s side and numerous papal tombs. Michelangelo’s
mural of the Last Judgment restored on the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel is considered one of Michelangelo's greatest masterpieces, in
addition to his Pieta and 4 mighty piers supporting the magnificent
dome. In the afternoon take time to visit the Vatican Garden,
Library and Museum to see the awe-inspiring relics and works of art
donated throughout centuries as tributes of faith Dinner and
overnight.
Day 15
Rome - Dubrovnik - Medjugorje
Depart Rome airport for one hour flight to Dubrovnik. After
being greeted by our tour guide and driver, we travel for 2 1/2
hours by motor coach to the sleepy village of Medjugorje. Upon
arrival, you will be introduced to the families in whose modern,
comfortable homes we will be staying. Breakfast and dinner served
daily.
Days 16
- 18 Medjugorje
The beauty of this simple village is enhanced by the opportunity to
share our faith with thousands of pilgrims from all over the
world. Each morning at 10 we assemble at St James Church for
the English-language Mass. Your guides will accompany you
throughout the week as you follow the same path up Apparition Hill
which the young visionaries first encountered Our Lady.
Contemplate the inspired artistry of the bronze plaques depicting
each mystery of the rosary as you climb. Touch and pray before
the cross which commemorates the spot where Mary appeared to the
visionaries. At 6 pm you are welcome each evening to join the
villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary. Be present in the
church when the apparitions occur and then stay for the Croatian
Mass and the Blessing of the Sick. Your guide will
arrange a meeting with the visionaries in their own homes. You
will have the opportunity to see and climb Krizevac Mountain, where
in 1933 the villagers built a 30’ high cross on the anniversary of
Jesus'
crucifixion. Contingent upon his schedule, you may visit
Father Jozo's parish to attend his holy preaching. In 1981, when the
apparitions began, Father Jozo was the pastor of St James parish,
and is considered by many to be the highlight of a pilgrimage to
Medjugorje.
Day 19
Medjugorje - Split - Tiberias
After English Mass we depart for the airport for our flight to the
Holy Land. We will meet our local guide, settle into our hotel to
relax before dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 20
Up to Galilee
We travel up the coast heading for Galilee visiting Caesarea and
Mukhraka enroute. The highlight of the day will be an
afternoon visit to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth
where we will celebrate Mass and visit Mary's Well. On the way
to our hotel in Tiberias we stop at Cana, the village of Jesus'
first miracle; here, those who wish to can renew their wedding vows.
Day 21
The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee
The morning will be spent evoking the important teachings that
Christ gave around the Sea of Galilee and its beautiful setting.
There are many highlights such as a boat ride across the Sea
of Galilee to Capernaum and see the synagogue and St. Peter's house,
visits to Mt Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was
given; to Tabgha to see the mosaic of the loaves and Fishes,
and the nearby Church of Peter's Primacy where Peter was told "
Feed my lambs, Feed my sheep". There will be an
unforgettable Mass on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Afternoon visit to Mt Tabor, scene of the Transfiguration.
Day 22
Samaria, Jesus in the land at the heart of the Old Testament
Jesus broke the taboo of religious and racial segregation by going
through Samaria. The Samaritan Jews near Nablus were ostracized and
avoided by the Jews of the Judean Kingdom, and as a result, they
traveled to Galilee via the Jordan Valley route to avoid contact
with Samaritans. The story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at
Jacob's well, which we will visit, is a poignant metaphor for
reconciliation and humanity. Today, the region is alive with
traditions that are thousands of years old. In the Samaritan
village, atop Mt Gerizim you can enjoy a spectacular view and
witness an ancient community whose rituals and traditions have
changed little since the time of Christ. In the Christian village of
Taybeh you will be welcomed by the local priest who will talk
about the village and its inhabitants and the Christian faith that
has sustained them for 2,000 years. In this village is a church
built over an ancient stable similar to that in which Jesus was
born. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 23
Introduction to Jerusalem: Mt. Olives- Kidron Valley - Mt Zion
On the first day we present an overview of Jerusalem for a better
understanding of its geography and some of the key sites
surrounding the area. This includes a dramatic view of the Old
City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4,000 years of
history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem
such a unique city to the three major religions - Islam, Judaism and
Christianity; the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, the
City of David excavations.
Afternoon:
Bethlehem and surroundings
Around noon we drive to the town of Beit Sahur where the Shepherd's
Fields are located; inhabited by Christians for hundreds of
years. A lunch has been arranged with some of the local
families in their homes. After lunch we visit the site that
commemorates the Shepherd's Fields, then visit the Church of
Nativity in Bethlehem that stands upon the site where Jesus was
born.
Day 24
Jerusalem - The Passion of Jesus' last hours
At Gethsemane is the ' rock of agony' where Jesus uttered His last
prayer. After the betrayal by Judas, He was held prisoner at
the palace of the High Priest Caiphas. From prison, Jesus was taken
to Judgment Hall then led through the city to be crucified. Today we
retrace these last hours of Jesus. As we walk along the Via
Dolorosa, through the markets of the Old City praying
the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the enormity of His
sacrifice. Finally arriving at the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre for Mass. In the afternoon we explore this ancient city
that has been built and rebuilt seven times. At the Cardo one
can discern the Roman layout of the ancient city and view many
buildings dating to the time of the Moslem conquest and Crusader
era. Walking through the bustling bazaars and alleyways,
notice the distinct character of each of the four quarters of the
Old City. We visit the
Wailing wall and the Mosques.
Day 25
The Wilderness: Bethany - Wadi Qelt - Jericho - Qumran - Dead
Sea
The desert east of Jerusalem is rich with Christian tradition.
The town of Bethany, was home to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who was
raised from the dead. Further east, just off the Roman
road that Jesus walked is Wadi Kelt gorge, home of the
Monastery of St George. This site evokes the Monastic tradition of
prayer and fasting that thousands of monks, since the 5th century
and continues today, preserve the example of John the Baptist and
Jesus' 40 day fast. At the oasis town of Jericho, visit the
excavations of the oldest city in the world, before driving to the
Dead Sea and the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were
hidden. On the way back there is time for a swim in the mineral rich
waters of the Dead Sea, renown for its healing properties.
Day 26
The Visitation
In the morning see a model of Jerusalem as it was at the time of
Jesus. Nearby is the village of Ein Kerem, where St. John the
Baptist was born. Celebrate Mass in the Church of Visitation where
Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and spoke the Magnificent. Free
afternoon.
Day 27
Jerusalem - USA
Transfer to the airport, filled with cherished memories for your
return flight to the USA.
Your
Trip Includes:
Round trip airfare from New York / Paris / Medjugorje /
Jerusalem / New York
24 nights Hotel Accommodations at 3 and 4 star Hotels:
2 nights Paris
2 nights
Fatima
1 night
Palencia
3 nights
Lourdes
1 night Nice
1 night
Assisi
3 nights Rome
4 nights
Medjugorje
3 nights
Tiberias
4 nights
Jerusalem
Breakfast and dinner daily
All transfers by private motor coach
Sightseeing and entrance fees
Papal Audience
Local professional Catholic guides
Luggage handling and hotel taxes
Mass daily
Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents
Not
included: Lunch. Airport tax of $85. Travel
insurance at $99. Tips to guides and drivers ($5 per day).
Items of personal nature.
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