A Pilgrimage for Women to France with Fr. Christopher Viscardi and Catherine Druhan

Upon arrival in Paris, we meet our Catholic, English-speaking, European tour escort, who will accompany our group in France. We board our motor coach for a drive to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese, whom Pope Pius X called the greatest saint of modern times. En route, we stop in Giverny to visit the home of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.* We explore the magnificent gardens, the lily pond, and the famous Japanese bridge familiar to us from the great artist’s work. Upon arrival in Lisieux, we celebrate Mass and settle into our home for the next three nights. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux. (D) *This visit is pending morning flight arrival

This morning, we explore the places related to the life of St. Therese. Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity come alive as we visit the Cathedral of St. Peter and Les Buissonnets, her family home. On display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the Little Flower. We view the statue depicting the Virgin Mary, who smiled at St. Therese during an ecstasy before curing her illness. We combine our prayers in the Carmel Chapel with those of the Carmelite sisters, just as St. Therese did before she died in 1897. We celebrate Mass and have time for prayer and personal devotions. In the afternoon, we will take an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, where we will have time to walk around, shop, and enjoy dinner at one of the many lovely restaurants. Honfleur is a charming seaside town that will remain in our memory long after we return home. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Lisieux. (B)

After breakfast, we will have a wonderful excursion to see the unique beauty of Mont-Saint-Michel, one of the most famous abbeys in the world due to its location – perched on a rock in the Gulf of Saint-Malo. Mont-Saint-Michel becomes an island fortress surrounded by the sea during high tide. The causeway to the mainland is only accessible during low tide. The Mont-Saint Michel monastery, dating to the 8th century, was built to get “as close to heaven as possible.” Today it is one of the world’s top pilgrimage sites and among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Mass will be celebrated. We will return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board our motor coach for Rouen, where we have a two-hour walking tour of the historic town center. We see the magnificent Cathedral of Notre Dame, whose west façade was often painted by Monet at different times of day; the Cathedral houses the heart of Richard the Lionhearted. We also visit the site where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Joan. A special lunch awaits us at La Couronne, the restaurant that influenced Julia Child to become a chef. We arrive in Paris in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Paris. (B, Special lunch)

Following a panoramic bus tour that includes the highlights of Paris, we visit Montmartre, with its magnificent Sacre Coeur Church. Here we celebrate Mass. We enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore the “City of Lights” on our own. Tonight we gather for a Seine River cruise and dinner. Overnight in Paris. (B, Special dinner)

This morning, we visit the Miraculous Medal Shrine for Mass. We see the incorrupt remains of St. Catherine and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul in the Chapel of the Daughters of Charity. Following a visit to the nearby Church of St. Vincent de Paul, our bus takes us to the Montparnasse train station in time to board the TGV train to Lourdes. Tonight we have the opportunity to join the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B, D)

This morning, we became familiar with the great pilgrimage center of Lourdes. We see the places associated with the Blessed Mother’s apparition and little Bernadette’s life during our walking tour. We celebrate Mass at the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, we drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many and visit the healing baths. Our group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. We have time to pray the Stations of the Cross and attend the Blessing of the Sick in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B, D)

Today is a day dedicated to personal devotion and fellowship. Mass will be celebrated. Tonight, we have a farewell dinner in Lourdes. (B, Special dinner)