Daily Itinerary for the 26 June 2023


Day 1 – Monday June 26th

Evening check-in at Chicago airport for overnight TAP Airlines flight to Lisbon, departing at 10pm.

Day 2 – Tuesday June 27th

On arrival in Lisbon and after greeting your guide we will transfer to city center and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, home to a precious relic of St. Brigid which has been carefully preserved for centuries and afterwards continue to the hotel to check in for one night. After relaxing and some time to yourself we will have dinner in the hotel and afterwards we will have an evening tour of this beautiful city.

Day 3 – Wednesday June 28th

After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for your flight from Lisbon to Toulouse. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and take a coach to the 4 Grand Hotel Moderne. Check-in for 3 nights with dinner, breakfast and lunch. After checking and lunch we will have an orientation tour of the Sanctuary area. 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. Group photo. After Lunch we take a walking tour to the Boly Mill, where Bernadette was born, and to the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s family lived. Dinner in your hotel. After Dinner participate in the evening torchlight procession. Lourdes – where Our Blessed Lady appeared to little Bernadette Soubirous 18 times in 1858. In the evening your guide will give an orientation talk at the Sanctuary and take you to visit the Grotto of Massabielle. 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 – Thursday June 29th

Morning free to visit to the Baths of Lourdes, a focal point of the sanctuary, filled with the”healing” spring water of Lourdes. Immerse yourself in the baths where hundreds of miraculous healing’s have taken place. “Go and drink at the spring and wash yourself there! these 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 are immersed. Lunch at the Hotel. Afternoon optional visit to Bartres for Mass. After Dinner participate in the evening torchlight procession.

Day 5 – Friday June 30th

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 Christ’s unconditional love for us all as we pray together on the passion through Our Lady’s eyes. Return to the hotel for Lunch at 12 noon. Afternoon free. After dinner we again have an opportunity to take part in the evening programme as per the Sanctuary schedule.

Day 6 – Saturday July 1st

Attend morning Mass in the Sanctuary. 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. Back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch we take our coach transfer to Toulouse for our connecting flights to Lisbon. On arrival in Lisbon we meet the Marian Pilgrimages guide and transfer to Fatima for 4 nights in hotel, with lunch, dinner & breakfast.

Day 7 – Sunday July 2nd

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. Afternoon visit to the Museum of Light and Peace. Dinner at hotel.

Day 8 – Monday July 3rd

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 Lucia’s 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 9 – Tuesday July 4th

This morning we again join the many pilgrims for the Rosary in the Capelinha followed by the International con-celebrated Mass at 11am. 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 10 – Wednesday July 5th

Coach transfer to Lisbon airport for return flights to Chicago.