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 one-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, Lourdes 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 a
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 Boly Mill where St Bernadette was born and the
“Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished
family lived. Join your prayers with those of 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, and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience
Christ’s love as you walk the life-sized 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.
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 a member
of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, having
taken the veil in 1867. Throughout her life she suffered from and
eventually died of asthma at the age of 35. You will see 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 and 1675 Our Blessed Lord appeared many 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, spent a great part of his holy life
giving powerful sermons and spending up to 17 hours a day in the
confessional, sleeping only two 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. He died 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 a
beautiful Basilica built to honor the Virgin Mary. In 1996 La
Salette celebrated the 150th anniversary of Our Lady’s first
appearance. 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 come 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 statue depicting the Virgin Mary
who smiled at St Therese during an ecstasy before curing her
illness. Combine your prayers in the Carmel Chapel with those of 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 wore these. Transfer to the airport after your memorable
pilgrimage throughout France for the flight to the United States. |