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Day 1 - USA / LISBON
This evening we depart for our departing flight via wide-bodied aircraft arriving next morning in Lisbon, Portugal. Meals served on board. |
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Day 2 - LISBON / FATIMA
Arrive Lisbon, Portugal and meet our Pilgrimage Tours_ tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. Transfer from the airport 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. Continue through Santarem, site of the Eucharistic miracle, to Fatima for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 3 - FATIMA
Morning sightseeing tour of Fatima where in 1917 Mary appeared to local children and the "miracle of the sun" occurred. We are joined by a local guide and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady, after which we visit the House of Lucia and House of Francisco and Jacinta. The afternoon is free to pray and relax. After dinner we participate in the Candlelight Procession. Overnight in Fatima. |
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Day 4 - FATIMA / AVILA
This morning we depart Fatima and travel to Avila, 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 from centuries gone by. Dinner and overnight in Avila. |
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Day 5 - AVILA / BURGOS
This morning we depart for Burgos. On arrival we visit the sprawling gothic Cathedral, one of the most impressive in the world. We celebrate Mass at the Cathedral and tour chapels, cloister and impressive doors and architecture. Around the town of Burgos, we'll see remains of fortifications and ramparts, the Plaza Mayor - Burgos' center of city life and the towers of the Arco de Santa Maria. Dinner and overnight in Burgos. |
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Day 6 - BURGOS / SANTO DOMINGO de SILOS / LOURDES
After breakfast, we drive to the Benedictine Monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos. Here we have Mass and Divine Office with the world-famous Monks singing Gregorian Chant and we tour the monastic cloister. We continue to Lourdes for dinner and overnight. After dinner we join the Candlelight Procession starting from the Grotto. Overnight in Lourdes. |
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Day 7 - LOURDES
This morning after Mass we see the sites of Lourdes where, in 1858, Mary appeared to young Bernadette Soubirous. 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 at our hotel. |
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Day 8 - LOURDES / NICE
Following Mass in Lourdes we transfer from our hotel to the train station for our scenic 1st class ride to Nice on the French Riviera. Upon arrival we are met by our motor coach for a brief tour through the famous resort of Monte Carlo and the principality of Monaco before being taken to our Mediterranean seaside hotel. Dinner and overnight in Nice. |
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Day 9 - NICE / MONTE CARLO / MONACO / PISA / SIENA
En route to Assisi, the home of St. Francis, we drive along the Riviera with its breathtaking views. We enter Italy and pass through Genoa to Pisa where we see the Campo dei Miracoli with its splendid Cathedral, Baptistery and the famous Leaning Tower. After lunch we head for the region of Tuscany and the medieval city of Siena, home of St. Catherine, where we celebrate Mass and see the church named after St. Dominic where Catherine prayed. Dinner and overnight in Siena. |
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Day 10 - ASSISI / ROME
After breakfast we depart Tuscany for Assisi, home of the gentlest of saints. Here we celebrate Mass in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis. Actually two magnificent churches laid one on top of the other, the upper basilica was decorated with beautiful frescoes by Cimabue and Giotto before being devastated in a 1997 earthquake. We then visit the Basilica of St. Clare whose incorrupt body lies in a crystal casket in the crypt, and in the same basilica we see the crucifix that spoke to St. Francis at San Damiano. Next we visit the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli that encloses the tiny Chapel of the Porziuncola, St. Francis' first retreat and place of prayer, and the place where he died. A panoramic sightseeing tour of "illuminated Rome by night" follows dinner. Overnight in Rome. |
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Day 11 - ROME
After Mass this morning we go to the Vatican for our Audience with the Holy Father. Following the Papal Audience we gather for a group photo in front of St. Peter's and have lunch. In the afternoon we see the ancient Imperial Forum and Roman Forum, the Colosseum and Constantine's Arch, the Mamertine Prison where Sts. Peter and Paul were held, and visits to the Patriarchal Basilicas of St. John Lateran with its baptistery built by Constantine and St. Mary Major where Mass has been celebrated daily since the 5th century. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 12 - ROME
Our day begins with our own early-morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, after which we see the tender Pieta, carved by a young Michelangelo, and tour the basilica itself. Then we go on a guided visit to one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museums. We see the Tapestries Gallery, the Belvedere with its marvelous classical statues, the rooms wonderfully frescoed by Raphael, and Michelangelo's masterpiece the Sistine Chapel that was recently restored to its original splendor. The afternoon is free for relaxation, spending personal time in prayer, further sightseeing in the Basilica, or shopping at religious gift stores. Dinner and overnight in Rome. |
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Day 13 - 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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