Paris, Lourdes and Fatima with Sandra Jean

Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Paris from JFK airport. 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. Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Miraculous Medal, and visit the Church of St. Vincent de Paul nearby. Then 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)

After breakfast, we drive toward Normandy, a picture-perfect part of France. We visit the places associated with St. Theresa, the Little Flower, and her parents. We have lunch at the convent where the Saint lived and celebrate Mass. On the way back, we stop in Chartres to see the magnificent Cathedral (time permitting). Overnight in Paris (B.L.D.).

Early this morning, we depart for Montparnasse train station in time to board the TGV train to Lourdes. Upon arrival in Lourdes, we are transferred to our hotel. This afternoon we have a walking tour of Lourdes. We see the places associated with the apparition of the Blessed Mother and the life of little Bernadette. Tonight we have the opportunity to 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. Attend the Blessing of the Sick, and in the evening 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 visit the crypt of La Santa Convent, built on the site of the house where she was born, and La Encarnacion Convent, where St. Theresa became a nun and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life. We 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 participate in the Candlelight and Blessed Sacrament Procession. Overnight in Fatima. (B.D.)

This morning we pray the Way of the Cross and see the Chapel of St. Stephen and Lucia’s Well, where the Angel spoke to the children. Following lunch, we depart for Lisbon with an enroute stop at St. Stephen’s Cathedral to see the Miracle of the Eucharist and where we celebrate Mass. Upon arrival in Lisbon, we have a panoramic city tour stopping at Belem Tower to taste the famous pastries Portugal is known for. Farewell dinner with wine at a local restaurant. Overnight in Lisbon. (B.D)

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