Marian Shrines of Portugal, Spain, and France with Fr Remo and Lisa Del Valle

We depart on an overnight flight from Newark to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. (Round trip bus transportation may be provided from a central location to Newark airport.)

This morning we arrive in Lisbon, where we are greeted by our English-speaking tour manager. We board our deluxe motorcoach and drive to the city center to enjoy a coffee stop with traditional cakes “Pasteis de Nata.” We begin our panoramic city tour of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of the most beautiful and historic European cities. Located on the River Tagus, Lisbon is full of life, color, and fascinating places. We see Belem Tower, the longest bridge in Europe, and the impressive 300-foot-high statue of Christ the King. We tour the monastery where St. Jacinta stayed before dying and the magnificent Church of St. Anthony where we celebrate Mass. Check into our hotel where we have time to rest before our welcome dinner. (D.)

Departing from Lisbon we drive to the Church of the Holy Miracle (formerly known as the Church of St. Stephen) in Santarem to venerate the 13th century Miracle of the Eucharist and celebrate Mass. In the afternoon we arrive at Fatima. Our visit starts at the Basilica complex and drives to the parish Church where the visionaries were baptized and other places associated with their young lives. We visit the cemetery; their homes in Aljustrel (perhaps meet their close relatives), Valinhos where we visit places where the Angel appeared and the Shrine where the Holy Virgin appeared in August. We pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross erected by the Americans, and see the beautiful Shrine of the Crucifixion built on the highest point by Hungarian refugees. (B.D.)

This morning we celebrate Mass at the Basilica. Continue with our visit where we see the Chapel of Apparitions, tombs of Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco, the Adoration Chapel, and the Miraculous Fountain. In the afternoon we take a short drive to the fishing village of Nazare to see the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Nazare and enjoy lunch in a restaurant on the shores of the Eastern Atlantic. Tonight attend the Solemn Procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament and we join in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Fatima. (B. Special lunch D.)

We depart from Fatima driving to Porto where we tour the city and visit the local port-making facility. We taste the famous wine and have free time for lunch before continuing to Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, we visit the Cathedral of St. James, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. As pilgrims, we have the opportunity to climb the stairs behind the high altar to visit the crypt where the relics of St. James are preserved, touch the central pillar (Portico de La Gloria), view the ‘Botafumeiro,’ and admire the wealth of medieval art inside the Cathedral, before visiting the Cloister Museum. We see the Botafumeiro, one of the highlights of the visit to St. James Church, swing during the Pilgrim Mass. Stroll on our own, through the beautiful streets of the city of the apostle, full of historical buildings and other attractions (after dinner). Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B.D.)

Today is a travel day and we depart early for our destination of Burgos. En route, we stop in Santo Domingo de Silos to see the beautiful Romanesque monastery and to celebrate Mass. Dinner and the first of our 2 overnights in Burgos. (B.D.)

This morning we celebrate Mass at the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Burgos, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture. The profusion of sculptural decoration and grandiose proportions make this cathedral one of the most impressive in Spain and the third-largest after the cathedrals of Seville and Toledo. See the 13th-century claustro (cloister), which contains the monumental tombs of Ferdinand III and his wife Beatrice of Swabia. Following Mass, we depart for a drive along the Ribera del Duero wine route which runs through inland Spain, and more particularly, through four provinces in Castile-León: Burgos, Segovia, Soria, and Valladolid with the Duero River as a constant traveling companion along the way. We visit underground wine cellars and meet local wine-producing families. After lunch with a wine tasting, we return to Burgos stopping to see the Cartuja de Miraflores, a Carthusian Monastery containing the tomb of King John II and Queen Isabella. Dinner and overnight Burgos (B. L.D.)

After breakfast, we depart for Lourdes traveling through the picturesque Basque region. En route, we celebrate Mass at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. See its spectacular dome and main altarpiece, built in marble and jasper. We arrive in Lourdes, nestled in the mountains, the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle, in time for dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)

During the next two days in Lourdes, we pray with fellow pilgrims from around the world. We celebrate Mass at the Grotto, watch a video telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. See Boly Mill where she was born, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Join pilgrims from around the world to pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring, or submerge in the healing baths. Experience Christ’s love as we walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the Holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel that was built on the very rock of the Grotto in obedience to the request of the “Immaculate Conception.” Evenings are free for the 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. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)

In the morning transfer to Toulouse Airport for our early return flight home. A bus will be waiting at the airport in Newark to transport us back to the church.* (B) *Based on a minimum of 30 people traveling.