A Pilgrimage of Piety, Prayer, Penance and Peace in France

We arrive Paris midday and we are greeted by our French- English speaking guide, who will be with us during the entire pilgrimage. We board our bus and drive to the Miraculous Medal Shrine for Mass and to see the incorrupt remains of St. Catherine and the heart of St.Vincent de Paul in the Chapel of the Daughters of Charity. Nearby is the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, which we visit. We visit the Chapel of St. Louis IX and Mary Magdalene Shrine. Tonight after dinner, we may visit the Sacred Heart Basilica on our own in the Mont- martre section of Paris. Overnight in Paris. (B.D.)

We check out of the hotel and visit St. Chapelle and Out Lady of Victories before we drive to Chartres to visit the magnificent Basilica and to have a lunch break in the lovely town. We continue to Tours, where we visit the Basilica of St. Martin and celebrate Mass. We visit the Oratory of the Holy Face and Place de Plumereau, the city center, with renaissance mansions and timber houses, which has been the center of regional life for hundreds of years. We check into the hotel in Tours for dinner and overnight. (B.D.)

Following breakfast, we drive to Fontgombault Abbey for a tour of the Benedictine Abbey with its impressive church with an opportunity to shop for pottery made by the monks in their shop. We celebrate Mass at the Abbey. We continue to Nevers for a visit to the Convent of St. Gildard, where the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette reposes. Dinner and overnight in Nevers. (B.D.)

After being blessed with eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette moved to Nevers, where she received her religious habit in 1866. We visit the Convent where St. Bernadette lived and is buried and where we celebrate Mass. We depart for Paray Le Monial, the cradle of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Our Lord Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to reveal His Sacred Heart. We visit the convent and the parish church. Dinner and overnight in the area. (B.D.)

Today, we travel to Ars to visit the Shrine of the “Le Cure d’Ars,” St. John Vianney, the patron Saint of Parish Priests. Following Mass at the Shrine and time to explore the picture-perfect little town. We continue to Clermont- Ferrand to see the Cathedral built entirely in black lava stone. Dinner and overnight in the area. (B.D.)

We drive to Bordeaux after breakfast. We visit the Chartres Cemetary to see the tomb of Father Rauzan, the founder of Father’s religious community. We also visit the Cathedrale Saint-Andre and Saint Seurin. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in the town. (B.D.)

Following Mass we depart Bordeaux toward Lourdes. Arriving in Lourdes, we settle into our hotel. Following dinner, we join pilgrims from all over the world for the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)

We enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes, which includes a visit to St. Bernadette’s home, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Miraculous Spring, the Shrine of Bernadette, and 12th century Castle. The afternoon is free for private devotions, visiting the Miraculous Baths, Confession, and other planned activities at the Shrine in which you can choose to join. Mass will be celebrated with the renewal of our Marian Consecration. Following dinner, we again have the opportunity to participate in the beautiful candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B.D.)