Pilgrimage to Lourdes & Fatima with Fr. Steve Pawelk

Depart from Knoxville International Airport on an overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight.

We arrive in Paris, France, where we are greeted by our English-speaking guide, who will be with us for the entire trip. We board our motor coach for a two-hour bus ride to Lisieux. Following Mass, we settle into our hotel for an afternoon of rest. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lisieux. (D.)

We have the morning to explore Lisieux and visit the places associated with the life of St. Therese, the Little Flower. Our day continues with a drive through the French countryside to Mt. St. Michel, the magnificent island considered one of the world’s wonders. The island, one of the top pilgrimage destinations of Christendom through the ages, floats like a mirage in front of us. Behold the magnificent Abbey and embark on the exploration of the island. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux. (B.D)

We drive through the beautiful French countryside toward the Normandy Beaches. The 54 miles of Atlantic stretching from Utah Beach in the west to Sword Beach in the east — are littered with WWII museums, monuments, cemeteries, and battle remains left in tribute to the courage of the British, Canadian, and American armies that successfully carried out the largest military operation in history: D-Day. On these serene beaches, at the crack of dawn on June 6, 1944, the Allies finally gained a foothold in France; from this moment, Nazi Europe was destined to crumble. We visit Omaha Beach, where we see the American Memorial and Cemetery and celebrate Mass nearby while we remember our brave, fallen soldiers. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight. (B.D)

After breakfast, we drive to Paris. Following a quick lunch stop, we visit the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral (TBC), Paris’ most beloved church, and the magnificent Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica), where we celebrate Mass. Check into the hotel and explore one of the many local restaurants for dinner on our own. Overnight in Paris. (B)

This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal and see the relics of St. Vincent de Paul in the chapel of Maison-Mere before we take the TGV train to Lourdes. Upon arrival in Lourdes, we are transferred to our hotel. Following dinner, we join pilgrims from all over the world for the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D)

We celebrate Mass and visit the Basilica and Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. We drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many. We also see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived, pray the Stations of the Cross, and attend Blessing of the Sick in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D)

We depart this morning, driving to Avila, the magnificent walled city dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila. Here, the atmosphere has changed very little since the days of St. Teresa, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Teresa, the great mystic, was the first woman named Doctor of the Church. We will visit the crypt of La Santa Convent, built on the site of the house where she was born; La Encarnacion Convent, where St. Teresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life; the Cathedral and the Cuatro Postes (four columns) which commemorates St. Teresa, who at the age of seven convinced her brother to run away with her to die as martyrs in the land of the Moors.The uncle caught them at Cuatro Poste’s site and returned them home. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Avila. (B.D)

Today, we journey through Spain toward Portugal. Late in the afternoon, we arrive in Fatima, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, which is well-known for the story of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in 1917. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Fatima. (B.D)

We start the day with a Mass at the Basilica. We stop at the parish church where the visionaries were baptized and other places associated with their young lives, including the cemetery where the children are buried and their homes in Aljustrel. We travel to Valinhos and visit where the Holy Virgin appeared in August, the outdoor Stations of the Cross erected by the Americans, and the beautiful Shrine of the Crucifixion built on the highest point by Hungarian refugees. Tonight, we participate in the Candlelight and Blessed Sacrament Procession. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. (B.D)

Following breakfast, we depart for Santarem to venerate the Miracle of the Eucharist. We continue to the capital of Portugal, 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 continue to see the magnificent Church of St. Anthony, where we celebrate Mass. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by wine in a local restaurant. Overnight in Lisbon. (B. Special dinner)

After breakfast, we are transferred to Lisbon Airport for our flight home. Lunch and a snack will be served on the plane. (B)