A Marian Pilgrimage to France and Fatima with Fr. Akindele

Depart this evening on an overnight flight from Chicago to Paris. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane.

Welcome to France. We are greeted by our English-speaking tour guide and assisted with the transfer to our hotel. We celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Miraculous Medal, and we visit the Church of St. Vincent de Paul nearby. Then, we enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax and get acclimated to a new time zone. Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight in Paris. (D)

This afternoon we have a panoramic tour of Paris, including the Champs Elysee, the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral (outside view), the Madeleine Church, and Montmartre with its magnificent Sacre Coeur Church, where we celebrate Mass and have time to explore the Basilica. The rest of the day is at leisure. Tonight, enjoy the opportunity to sample some of the local bistro food on your own. Overnight in Paris. (B)

This morning we drive to Nevers where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from a number of illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. For this reason, St. Bernadette received “The Last Sacraments” three times and eventually passed away in 1879, at the age of thirty-five. Visit the Convent of Saint Gildard, celebrate Mass and enjoy lunch before continuing to Macon for dinner and overnight. (B.L.D.)

We begin our day with a visit to the Chapel of the Visitation, where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in the seventeenth century. These apparitions allowed St. Margaret to rest herself upon Jesus’ Sacred Heart, and to experience the unconditional love for humanity. During our visit to this Holy place, we will have the opportunity to view relics of the beloved Saint, located beneath a wax figure of St. Margaret. In the afternoon, we drive to Ars where we visit the Shrine dedicated to Saint Jean Marie Vianney, the patron saint of the priesthood.We visit the presbytery and the Basilica ,where we will find the incorrupt body of the Cure of Ars. Here we celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight in Macon. (B.D.)

This morning we depart for Avignon, the city once known as the Capital of the Catholic Church, as it was the Papal seat for most of the 14th century. We visit the Palace of the Popes with its many steps and celebrate Mass before settling into our hotel. Overnight Avignon (B.D.)

Following breakfast, transfer to Lourdes. After time to check into our hotel, we celebrate Mass at the Basilica. In the afternoon, we have a walking tour of the Sanctuary, including the Grotto and the Basilica, and we will watch a video presentation explaining the apparitions of Lourdes. This we will join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)

We start the day with Mass at the Grotto, followed by a walking pilgrimage schedule, which includes comprehensive spiritual activities. We have the opportunity to bathe in the Baths, where miraculous cures have taken place, and pray Stations of the Cross. We will attend the Blessing of the Sick, and in the we join the spectacular Candlelight Procession where thousands of visitors pray the rosary and sing hymns in honor of the Mother of God. Overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)

We depart this morning on the long drive from Lourdes to Avila, the magnificent walled city dedicated to St. Teresa of Avila. Here the atmosphere has changed very little since the days of St. Theresa, to whom the city is dedicated. St. Theresa the great mystic, was the first woman to be named a 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. Theresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. We will see the Cathedral and the Cuatro Postes (four columns) which commemorate 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. Their uncle caught them at this site, Cuatro Postes, and returned them home. 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. Overnight in Fatima. (B.D.)

Our walking tour of Fatima includes visiting Aljustrel, where the shepherd children lived, Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance after the children returned from prison, and the Basilica and the tombs of the children on the Cova da Iria. Mass is scheduled at the Little Chapel of Apparitions or at the Basilica. Tonight we participate in the Candlelight and Blessed Sacrament Procession. Overnight in Fatima. (B.D.)

This morning we celebrate Mass at the Basilica, pray the Way of the Cross, and see the Chapel of St. Stephen and Lucia’s Well, where the Angel spoke to the children. Additional time is dedicated for prayer and reflection. Overnight in Fatima. (B.L.D)

This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flights home. (B.)

This trip includes group airfare from Chicago. Please note that "group airfare" means you are booked with other travelers in a block of seats that are assigned by the airline when you check in for your flight (24 hours prior to travel). If you require specific seats, we suggest that you upgrade after enrollment or book your own