Fatima - 9 Days

million people visited Lourdes and Fatima in Jubilee 2000. Make this year your turn!

Day 1 - Canada / Lisbon
Our pilgrimage begins as we leave Canada for an overnight flight to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast are served on board

Day 2 - Lisbon / Santarem / Fatima
After an orientation drive through Lisbon, we drive to the town of Santarem, one of the oldest cities in the world. We will walk through the narrow streets to the Church of St. Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. Behold the 750 year old Holy Miracle of Santarem, a relic of the Bleeding Host. Stolen by a woman in payment to a sorcerer, the host began to emit a brilliant beam of light and began to profusely bleed. Reverently returned to the church of St. Stephen, this miracle has been on continuos display since 1269. In the early afternoon, we drive to nearby Fatima, the location of the Blessed Mother who appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. After settling into your hotel, you may participate in the candlelight procession or relax. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Days 3 & 4 - Fatima
After breakfast we will celebrate morning Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. We will tour Fatima and see the Basilica, site of Francesco's and Jacinta's graves; the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived; and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady's appearance after the children's return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) which was built by Hungarian refugees and culminates in the Chapel of Calvary overlooking all of Fatima. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession to pray the rosary. Don't forget your white handkerchief for the adeus farewell, when thousands of pilgrims wave a loving farewell to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

Day 5 - Fatima / Coimbra / Burgos
After breakfast we depart by motorcoach to the city of Coimbra. Here you will see the incorrupt body of St. Isabel and the Carmelite cloister where Sister Lucia still lives. We will drive into Spain to the city of Burgos. The Basilica of Burgos is one of the largest and most majestic in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Burgos.

Day 6 - Burgos / Lourdes
After breakfast, we leave Spain. You will marvel at the scenery as we motor through the Pyrenees Mountains. Standing between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, stands picturesque Lourdes. The birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Settle into your hotel and celebrate Mass at the famous Grotto. Dinner and overnight Lourdes.

Day 7 - Lourdes
After breakfast, our guided tour of Lourdes includes the sanctuary; the Basilica of St. Pius X, the world's largest underground church; and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. During your stay in Lourdes you will have a chance to celebrate daily Mass at the Grotto. Enjoy a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. See the Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born; view the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived in humility. Join your prayers with pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick and drink water from the miraculous spring that the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the grotto which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Submerge yourself in the Baths, which claim thousands of healings. Experience Christ's love as you walk the life-size Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception". Contemplate Christ's Passion as you pray the unique 3-dimensional Stations of the Cross; attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Time for private devotions before dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

Day 8 - Lourdes / Paris
After breakfast we fly to Paris, transfer to our hotel and take a guided tour of this beautiful city. The majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs Elysees, L'Arc De Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Church of the Sacre Coeur and the Church of St. Vincent De Paul will awe you. Dinner and overnight in the most spectacular city on earth.

Day 9 - Paris / Canada
Breakfast, then travel to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal to celebrate Mass. View the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouret whose guardian angel led her to the chapel where the Blessed Virgin displayed a vision of the miraculous medal and later the green scapular. The Virgin promised bountiful graces for all that wear these. Transfer to the airport after your memorable pilgrimage for your return flight to Canada.