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Including Lourdes, Paris, Chartres, Lisieux, Nevers, Paray le Monial, Ars, Assisi, Rome & The Vatican.
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Day 1 - USA / PARIS
Our Pilgrimage Tour departs the U.S. for Paris. Meals are served on board. |
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Day 2 - PARIS / LOURDES
This morning we arrive in Lourdes and meet our Pilgrimage Tours' tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. It is here that in 1858, Mary appeared to a young Bernadette Soubirous. Upon our arrival in Lourdes, we will celebrate Mass at the basilica. The rest of the afternoon is for reflection, relaxation and prayer before dinner. Following dinner, we join the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Lourdes. |
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Day 3 - LOURDES
This morning after Mass we see the sites of Lourdes where Mary appeared to Bernadette. We visit the Grotto, the Spring and the healing Baths, as well as the Basilica of St. Pius X, the Rosary Basilica and Bernadette's home. The afternoon is free for Adoration, Confessions, a time of private devotion, reciting the Rosary, and relaxation before dinner. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes. |
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Day 4 - LOURDES / PARIS
This morning we depart Lourdes for Paris. We arrive in Paris and go to Rue de Bac where we will celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal, where St. Catherine Laboure received her apparitions of Mary. Next we visit the Shrine of Vincent de Paul. The remainder of the afternoon is free. Following dinner, there will be a panoramic "illuminated Paris by night" sightseeing tour to include the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees and much more. Overnight in Paris. |
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Day 5 - PARIS / CHARTRES / LISIEUX
This morning we go to the town of Chartres, situated on top of a hill overlooking the River Eure. In the center of the city stands the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the finest and best preserved Gothic buildings in France. We will see its very impressive interior including its windows dating back to 1210 that form the most magnificent collection of medieval stained glass in existence. We also see the cathedral's south sprire, its statuary and its Late Gothic choir screens. After lunch we will arrive in Lisieux, home of St. Therese the Carmelite nun known as "The Little Flower" and the Newest Doctor of the Church. Here we will visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonets, the Carmelite Convent Chapel where St. Therese and her parents are entombed. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Therese before returning to Paris for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 6 - PARIS / NEVERS
This morning we will celebrate Mass at the cathedral of Notre-Dame, an architectural marvel, which stands on the banks of the Seine on the site of an early Christian basilica that had in turn been built on the site of a temple from the Roman era. Here we will see the Gallery of the Kings, its Rose Window and its many chapels. When then head to the Montmartre District, the "Artists Quarter" of Paris and visit the Romanesque and Byzantine Sacre Coeur Basilica on top of Montmartre Hill. The basilica with its many domes and arches contain wonderful sculptures, paintings and mosaics. In the rear of the basilica you will see a bell tower that houses the " Savoyarde", a bell weighing nearly 19 tons and one of the largest in the world. We depart Paris and proceed to Nevers to visit the museum and convent of St. Gildards, where Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes spent the final 13 years of her life. Here you will see the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary. Dinner and overnight in Nevers. |
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Day 7 - NEVERS / PARAY le MONIAL / ARS
This morning we celebrate Mass in Nevers and then continue on to Paray le Monial, known as the City of the Eucharist, and visit the site of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Margaret Mary Alacoque. Here we will visit the Chapel of the Visitations and enjoy an audio-visual presentation of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. We continue on to Ars, village of the Holy Cure and visit the house and shrine of St. John Vianney, the Patron Saint of Parish Priests. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Ars. |
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Day 8 - ARS / LYON / ROME
This morning we depart Ars for the town of Lyon where we board a flight for Rome. This afternoon we arrive at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport. We enter the Eternal City via the ancient Appian Way, the traditional pilgrims' route followed by Peter and Paul and stop to celebrate Mass at the Catacombs. After Mass, we will visit the first of the four major basilicas of Rome, St. Paul's Outside the Walls where the Apostle is buried. We proceed to check in to our hotel in Rome. A panoramic "illuminated Rome by night" sightseeing tour follows our Welcome Dinner. Overnight at our hotel in Rome. |
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Day 9 - ROME / ASSISI
After breakfast this morning we depart for the medieval town of Assisi and celebrate Mass in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. After Mass we explore the basilica with its wonderful frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto. We then visit the Basilica of St. Clare, Francis' friend and foundress of the Poor Clare nuns, and see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis in San Damiano. We go to San Damiano to pray in the place where Francis wrote the "Canticle of the Sun." Then we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli built to enclose the tiny Church of the Porziuncola, St. Francis' first retreat and place of prayer and where he consecrated Clare as the Bride of Christ. Return to Rome for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 10 - ROME
Following Mass this morning, we go to the Vatican for an Audience with the Holy Father. In the afternoon we will see the Colosseum, Palatine and Capitoline Hills, the Imperial and Roman Forums and Constantine's Arch. We visit two major basilicas of Rome, first at St. Mary Major, the most important church in the world devoted to Our Lady. Next we visit St. John Lateran. Any remaining time will be spent visiting the basilicas of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and San Clemente. Overnight in Rome. |
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Day 11 - ROME
After breakfast our day begins with our own celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. While at the Basilica we see a young Michelangelo's masterpiece, the deeply moving, magnificent Pieta. Then we visit one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. We see the Tapestries Gallery, the Belvedere with its marvelous statues. We also visit Raphael's Rooms, the Pincio Garden and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel that has been restored to its original beauty. The rest of the day is free for your choice of activities. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 12 - ROME / USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, the blessings of our encounters with the Lord, Our Lady, and the saints are certain to strengthen and encourage us throughout our lifelong pilgrimage. |
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