Day 1 - March 22 New York, NY
We depart on an overnight flight to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast are served
on board the flight.
Day 2 - March 23 Fatima
Arriving in Lisbon, we meet our escort and enjoy a brief panoramic tour of
the charming Portuguese capital. We see the fanciful Belem Tower built in the
Manueline style, Jeronimos Monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Monument
to the Discoveries, celebrating Portugal's age of exploration and (time
permitting) the Basilica of St. Anthony. Our coach then departs for Fatima with
a stop in Santarem to take in the Eucharistic Miracle of the Bleeding Host.
Dinner and Overnight in Fatima. (D)
Day 3 - March 24 Fatima
We begin our day with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, starting
at the pristine Basilica that holds the tombs of Jacinta and Francisco, who were
beatified in 2000, and Sr. Lucia. Continue to the Capelinha, where Our Lady
appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917 with her message of redemption.
Later there is time for private prayer, to light a candle near the shrine, walk
the lovely grounds or shop for religious articles nearby. Dinner and Overnight
in Fatima. (B, D)
Day 4 - March 25 Fatima
We enjoy a day of leisure in Fatima or if you wish participate in and
OPTIONAL side trip to tour the famous monasteries of Batalha, Alcobaca, as well
as spend some time at leisure in Nazare, a quaint fishing with lunch on your
own. Dinner and Overnight in Fatima. (B, D)
Day 5 - March 26 Fatima / Lourdes
After breakfast attend mass before we depart for Lisbon for the flight to
Toulouse where we are met and Transferred to Lourdes, where in 1858 Our Lady
appeared to the 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous calling herself the “Immaculate
Conception.” Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B, D)
Day 6 - March 27 Lourdes
This morning we take part in a walking tour tracing the life of St.
Bernadette, which includes visits to the Boly Mills, where Bernadette was born;
the Locale Mill, residence of her parents; the "Cachot," formerly used as a
jail, where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel where she
received her First Holy Communion; and the Parish church containing the Font,
where she was baptized. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. (B, D)
Day 7 - March 28 Lourdes
Today is free to explore Lourdes on our own. Visit the Grotto, where the
Virgin appeared 18 times, the underground Basilica, which can hold 20,000
worshipers and is one of the world's largest churches, the magnificent
life-sized Stations of the Cross behind the Grotto, the "Miraculous" Baths. We
may also take part in the Blessing of the Sick or any of the variety of
spiritual exercises available throughout the day. (B, D)
Day 8 - March 29 Lourdes / USA
After breakfast transfer to Toulouse Airport for flight to the USA. Arrive
home the same day.