Day
1 New York - Paris
Evening departure from New York’s JFK
airport (or from your hometown) for the overnight flight to Paris.
Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day
2 Paris - Lourdes
Upon your arrival in Paris this morning, we
connect to the 1-hour flight to Lourdes. Arrive in Lourdes
about noon and transfer to your hotel. At the foot of the
Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the
spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau is Lourdes. One of the most
important pilgrimage sites for over 140 years, is the birthplace of
St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of
Massabielle. Relax or explore before dinner, followed by the
candlelight procession before retiring.
Days
3 & 4 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”. Our tour of Lourdes includes
visits to the sanctuary, the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's
largest underground church. 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.
Day
5 Lourdes - Lyon - Nevers - Paray Le Monial
After breakfast, transfer to Pau Airport for
the morning flight to Lyon. Depart by motor coach for Nevers
to visit St. Gildard's Convent to pray before the uncorrupted body
of St Bernadette. At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of
the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St Bernadette lived for 12 years as part
of the congregation of the Sister of Charity of Nevers, after taking
the veil in 1867. Throughout her life she suffered from and
eventually died from asthma, at the age of 35. You will behold
St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body miraculously preserved since her
death in 1879. Mass at the Chapel. Dinner and overnight in
Paray Le Monial.
Day
6 Paray Le Monial - Ars - La Salette
Breakfast,
Mass, and a tour of Paray Le Monial, where we will visit the
birthplace of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Between 1673 - 1675 Our Blessed Lord appeared multiple times
to St Margaret Mary Alacoque at the Visitation Convent. He
revealed His divine Heart aflame with love for humanity and
established a feast day set aside to honor his Sacred Heart.
In the early afternoon we arrive in the pretty little town of Ars
where St Jean-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of parish
priests. This saint spent a great part of his holy life giving
powerful sermons and spending up to 17 hours a day in in the
confessional, sleeping only 2 hours a night. People
continuously flowed into Ars from every part of France seeking his
spiritual guidance and healing. The charity and love for people of
this simple curate of Ars became famous all over the Christian
world. Hedied in 1895 and his incorrupt body lies in repose, along
with many relics from this saint who was canonized in 1925. Next we
go to La Salette for dinner and overnight.
Day
7 La Salette - Lyon - Paris
Breakfast, Mass and a tour of La Salette.
Located in a high alpine pasture in the French Alps, La Salette is
the site where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1846 to two shepherds,
Melanie Matthew and Maximin Gird. Our Lady appeared to these
shepherds crying, lamenting over the lack of observance of Sundays
and the profaning of her Son’s holy name. A spring forever
marks the spot where the Virgin appeared and where millions of
pilgrims come to in order to drink the fresh
spring water and to pray. The stunning mountain scenery and
lush mountain trails
make La Salette one of the most spectacular pilgrimage site in
France, with one a beautiful Basilica built to honor the Virgin
Mary. In 1996 La Salette celebrated the
150th anniversary of Our Lady’s first apparition. Return to Lyon
in the afternoon for the TGV (high speed) train to Paris.
Transfer to hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Day
8 Paris - Lisieux- Paris
After breakfast we travel northwest to the
town of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called
"the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.” Her
extraordinary love for God and service to humanity comes alive as
you visit the Basilica Cathedral of St Peter, and Les Buissonets,
her family home. On display are relics, clothing and personal
objects belonging to the "Little Flower." View the
statute depicting the Virgin Mary who smiled at St Therese during an
ecstasy before curing her illness. Combine your prayers in the
Carmel Chapel with the Carmelite sisters, just as St Therese did
before her death in 1897. Return to Paris for dinner and
overnight.
Day
9 Paris
After breakfast we take a guided tour of this
beautiful city, visiting the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the
Church of the Sacre Coeur and the Church of St Vincent De
Paul. Afternoon free for individual visits and shopping. This
evening we can take an optional dinner cruise on the River Seine
(additional cost).
Day
10 Paris - USA
Breakfast, then travel to the Shrine of the
Miraculous Medal to celebrate Mass. View the incorrupt body of
St Catherine Labouret whose guardian angel led her to the chapel
where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the miraculous medal
and later the green scapular. The Virgin promised bountiful
graces for all who wear these. Transfer to the airport after your
memorable pilgrimage throughout France return home to the United
States. |