An 11-Day Marian Shrines Pilgrimage
Including Lisbon, Fatima, Avila, Madrid, Zaragoza, Montserrat, Barcelona, Lourdes & more.

In commemoration of the special Papal visit and celebration of Mass by the Holy Father  

May 11, 2010 - Tuesday
BOSTON / LISBON
Tour members meet at Boston’s Logan airport for our departing flight via wide-bodied aircraft, arriving next afternoon in Lisbon, Portugal.  Meals served on board.

May 12, 2010 - Wednesday
LISBON / FATIMA
We arrive in Lisbon, Portugal and are met by our Pilgrimage Tours™ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour.  We transfer to the city of Lisbon, where we will have Mass at the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua, followed by a panoramic tour of the city.  Next we arrive in Fatima and embark on a sightseeing tour of Fatima with our local guide where on May 13, 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the “miracle of the sun” occurred.  Following dinner, we participate in the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Fatima.

May 13, 2010 - Thursday
FATIMA – Papal Mass
Today will be marked with special events planned for Fatima on this special anniversary date.  The first of which will be our attending the Papal Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.  Following the celebration of Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady, we visit the House of Lucia and House of Francisco and Jacinta.  Throughout our day, we will have free time to pray, reflect and relax.  Following dinner we participate in the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Fatima.

May 14, 2010 - Friday
FATIMA / AVILA
This morning we depart Fatima and travel to Avila, Spain, first stopping for a visit at Albe de Tormes where St. Teresa died in 1582.  Inside the Carmelite convent of the Annunciation is the tomb of St. Teresa and her remains in a reliquary above the altar.  Next we arrive in the best-preserved walled city in the world and home of St. Teresa of Avila who, with her spiritual director St. John of the Cross, reformed the Carmelite Order.   We visit the Carmelite Monastery and celebrate Mass there.  We will visit the cell where St. Teresa lived and see relics of Teresa and St. John of the Cross.  We’ll also tour the ancient city of Avila whose architecture and culture remain the same from centuries ago.  Dinner and overnight in Avila.

May 15, 2010 - Saturday
AVILA / MADRID / ZARAGOZA
This morning we depart Avila for Zaragoza, stopping in Madrid for a city tour to include visits to the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.  We also see the Plaza Mayor, the main square in Madrid.  Next we depart for Zaragoza.  Upon our arrival in Zaragoza we visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the place where Mary appeared to the Apostle James before her Assumption into heaven.  We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.  Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza. 

May 16, 2010 - Sunday
ZARAGOZA / MONTSERRAT / BARCELONA
This morning we depart Zaragoza for Montserrat.  Upon our arrival in Montserrat we join in celebration of Mass and the "Liturgy of the Hours" at the Monastery with the monks of Montserrat.  We continue on to a wonderful tour of the Monastery and grounds where we see the Statute of Our Lady of Montserrat or Black Madonna, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother.  We also observe the Way of the Cross and enjoy some of the most incredible scenery in Spain.  Next we drive to Barcelona for dinner and overnight.
 
May 17, 2010 - Monday
BARCELONA
This morning we visit the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.  Here we will tour the basilica as well as celebrate Mass.  Next we visit the famous Ramblas Boulevard.  Las Ramblas Boulevard is one of the most upbeat, striking boulevards in all of Europe, with many cafes and shops.  The remainder of our day is free for shopping and to explore this cosmopolitan city, including its beautiful beaches!  Dinner and overnight in Barcelona. 

May 18, 2010 - Tuesday
BARCELONA / LOURDES
This morning we bid farewell to Barcelona and arrive in Lourdes, where, in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous.  Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we visit and celebrate Mass at the Rosary basilica.  Following dinner, we join the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Lourdes.

May 19, 2010 - Wednesday
LOURDES
This morning we celebrate Mass at the Poor Clares convent chapel in Lourdes.  Following Mass, we take a walking tour to see the sites of Lourdes where, in 1858, Mary appeared to young Bernadette Soubirous.  We visit the Grotto, the Spring, as well as the Basilica of St. Pius X, the Rosary Basilica and Bernadette’s home.  The afternoon is free before dinner.  Dinner is followed by the Candlelight Procession.  Overnight in Lourdes.

May 20, 2010 - Thursday
LOURDES / BARTRES / ST. SAVIN
This morning we celebrate Mass in the Grotto.  Next we will explore the countryside known by St. Bernadette with a trip into the snowcapped Pyrenees Mountains.  First we visit Bartres, where Bernadette lived and then we will make a stop to visit the old Benedictine Abbey in the village of St. Savin.  The remainder of the day is free in Lourdes where we can participate in the Stations of the Cross, which is located outdoors amongst nature.  Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Lourdes.

May 21, 2010 - Friday
LOURDES / BOSTON
This morning we depart Lourdes for our short flight to Paris and then our return flight home.  Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer each day to the Lord.

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