Day 1 Sunday April 14th
Check-in at Boston Logan airport for overnight TAP Airlines flight to Toulouse via Lisbon.
Day 2 Monday April 15th
Arrive in Lisbon and connect with your onward TAP flight to Toulouse, France.
On arrival, you will be met by your guide and take a coach to Lourdes where Our
Blessed Lady appeared to little Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in 1858 here you checkin
to the 4 Grand Hotel Moderne or similar for 5 nights with dinner, breakfast and
lunch. In the evening your guide will give an orientation talk at the Sanctuary and
visit the Grotto of Massabielle.
Day 3 Tuesday April 16th
Leave hotel for morning Mass in the Lower Dolors. After Mass we will have an
orientation tour of the Sanctuary area with and opportunity to drink from the spring
near the Grotto. The original spring that Bernadette located is still visible, protected by
a glass cover and illuminated by a light. Gather in front of the Basilica for group photo
before retuning to the hotel for lunch. After lunch we take a walking tour to sites
associated with St. Bernadette like the Boly Mill, where Bernadette was born, and to
the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadettes family lived. After dinner in the
hotel participate in the fabulous evening torchlight procession in the Sanctuary.
Candlelight Procession
As early as 18th February 1858, the day of the third Apparition, one of the two people
accompanying Bernadette had carried a candle. After this, Bernadette herself always came with a
candle. The iconic Lourdes Torchlight Procession, known throughout the world, was introduced in
Lourdes in 1863 by Father Marie-Antoine, a Capuchin also known as the Saint of Toulouse. The
Marian Procession is the most popular celebration in Lourdes.
During the Procession, and depending on the day, the pilgrims recite the Joyful, Luminous,
Sorrowful or Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. At the beginning of each decade, a few words in
several languages give direction to the prayer so that it does not become a monotonous repetition.
The Ave Maria and other hymns can be heard in many languages. In the serenity of the evening,
each pilgrim carries his or her own personal intentions as the prayer gathers the assembly of all
nations, people and languages with the Virgin Mary, like the disciples in the Cenacle after the
Ascension of Christ. The procession always takes place regardless of the weather.
Day 4 Wednesday April 17th
Morning free to visit to the Baths of Lourdes, a focal point of the sanctuary, filled with
the healing spring water of Lourdes. Wash yourself in the waters where hundreds of
miraculous healings have taken place. Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself
there! words of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette during one of the Apparitions inspired
the creation of the Baths near the Grotto in which the pilgrims were immersed. After
lunch in the hotel there is a trip to Bartres. Bernadette held a special place for Bartres
in her heart as it was where she stayed and studied the Catechism to prepare to receive
her first Holy Communion. As a group we will celebrate Holy Mass in the chapel
where Bernadette prayed. After the visit we return to the hotel for dinner. After dinner
this evening we again have an opportunity in the evening torchlight procession.
Day 5 Thursday April 18th
After Mass we will participate in the High or Low stations of the cross. The high
stations are life size figures which re-enact the passion of Christ. They are located at
the top of the Rosary basilica hill and will take approximately 1.5hr to complete. The
low stations are located across from the baths area and have been designed to facilitate
anybody who may have any walking difficulties. Both the high and low stations are an
opportunity to experience Christs unconditional love for us all as we pray together on
the passion through Our Ladys eyes. Return to the hotel for lunch and take afternoon
free for some personal prayer with dinner back in the hotel. After dinner we again have
an opportunity to take part in the evening program in the Sanctuary.
Day 6 Friday April 19th
After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we will have free time for our own personal
intentions. Feel free to return to the healing baths or sit in the quiet of the grotto area.
After lunch we will celebrate Mass. After dinner can take part in the evening program
in the sanctuary area.
Day 7 Saturday April 20th
After breakfast we leave for English Mass at the Grotto. Following Mass your guide
will take you to the Low Stations of the Cross and you will have some free time for
reflection and prayer. After lunch in the hotel we take our coach transfer to Toulouse
for our connecting flights to Lisbon, Portugal. On arrival in Lisbon we meet the
Marian Pilgrimages guide and transfer to Fatima for 4 nights in the Hotel Estrela de
Fatima or similar, with lunch, dinner and breakfast.
Day 8 Sunday April 21st
Morning Mass in the Capelinha Apparition site at Cova da Iria. On our orientation
tour of the Sanctuary we see the Rosary Basilica with the tombs of Francisco, Jacinta
and Lucia, the Berlin Wall, the Old Holmoak, Monument to the Sacred Heart, the
Fountain, Basilica of the Holy Trinity, and the Chapel of Adoration. After lunch in the
hotel we visit the Museum of Light and Peace. Dinner at hotel.
Day 9 Monday April 22nd
Morning walk the Hungarian Way of the Cross, through the Olive and Oak trees, to
Valinhos (where Our Lady appeared on 19th August 1917) to the Calvary. Visit Loca do
Anjo where the Angel of Peace appeared to the Children. Continue to Aljustrel and visit
the homes of the Little Shepherds and see the Well in Lucias garden where they also had
a vision. Return to hotel for lunch. This afternoon is free in Fatima to explore the town.
After dinner we join the many pilgrims for the Rosary in the Basilica at 9pm.
Day 10 Tuesday April 23rd
This morning we again join the many pilgrims for the Rosary in the Capelinha
followed by the International Concelebrate Mass. After lunch we take an afternoon
tour to Santarem and visit the Church of St Stephen site of a Eucharistic
Miracle over 700 years ago. Return to hotel for final dinner.
Day 11 Wednesday April 24th
Coach transfer to Lisbon airport for return flight to Boston.
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