10 Days Portugal - Spain - France

Upon arrival, we take a moment to get settled before getting started on our exploration of the city. Among our many stops are St. Anthony’s Church celebrating St. Anthony of Padua, St. Jerome’s Monastery, the Discoveries Monument, the Lisbon Cathedral, the Basilica of the Star.

We visit the Church of St. Stephen, home to a Eucharistic miracle that has been on display since 1269 AD. After celebrating mass here, we continue to Fátima where the Virgin appeared to three children and exhorted them to pray for peace and conversion.

We tour the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, the graves of Francesco and Jacinta, the Hamlet of Aljustrel where they lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared to them upon their release from prison. Walk the Via Sacra that ends at the Chapel of Calvary overlooking Fatima. We experience all of the spiritual customs that have arisen out of the apparitions that took place here.

Upon arrival in Salamanca, we visit the impressive Plaza Mayor, the center of the town, a beautiful Baroque styled church called La Clerecia, the Casa de las Conchas, and the University of Salamanca (the oldest university in Spain).Tour religious buildings and cathedral's, explore the Roman architecture of San Marcos and San Martin churches, and other attractions of the city.

Traveling through Spain, we visit the village of Alba de Tormes where we visit the Carmelite Monastery that St.Teresa called home and now hosts her incorrupt relics. From here, we continue to Ávila to see the eleventh century city walls, and the shrines of St. Teresa of Ávila. We will also see the Incarnation Convent where she became a nun and the museum on the site. Built on the site of her home is La Santa Monastery as well as San Jose Convent. San Jose Convent is the first of many convents this mystic saint founded. Continuing our pilgrimage, we travel to Burgos and visit its beautiful cathedral.

We depart Burgos and make our way to Loyola, the historic home of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. The Sanctuary of Loyola or Shrine and Basilica of Loyola as it is known is dedicated to him. It consists of a series of edifices built in a Baroque style around his birthplace. From here, we make our way through the scenic mountains to the town of Lourdes.

During your next two days in Lourdes you will have time to pray with your fellow pilgrims from around the world. During your trip, you will have an opportunity to: Attend mass at the Grotto of Our Lady, watch a video presentation on the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St.Ber nadette. See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived.

Join in prayers with the multitude of pilgrims in attendance for the sick and infirmed. Drink the water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths. Experience Our Lady's love as you walk into her chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to her request as the "Immaculate Conception." Evenings are free for an optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Your role in the universal church will have new meaning as you join the candlelight procession and group rosary (candlelight procession & group rosary only occur April- October).

Today we make our way to the airport for our flight back to the US.