0523 St Mary Marian Shrines

Depart ORD Airport on our way to Lisbon, Portugal.

Welcome to Portugal. Arrival at Lisbon airport. Private transfer to the hotel. This afternoon Dinner in local restaurant. Accommodation

After breakfast we’ll make a Lisbon tour. Lisbon is a city of pastel colors and cobblestone streets, of vistas and monuments. Start by promenading in one of the typical old quarters of Lisbon, Alfama, walking through its narrow streets with Arab influence, its winding alleys, colourful houses, and endless stairs. Proceed to the historic district of Belém, where we can find many of the most prestigious monuments of the city, including the Jerónimos Monastery (exterior) and Belém Tower (exterior), both good examples of the 16th century’s Manueline style, and finally the Monument to the Discoveries (exterior). Opportunity to taste the delicious “Pastéis de Belém”, the typical pastry of Lisbon. Before arriving in Fátima, we’ll stop in Santarém, one of the oldest cities in the world. Walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St. Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle (entrance upon availability). This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269 A.D. Arrival in Fátima, one of the most famous Marian Shrines in Europe. Participate in the Rosaries and Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight.

In the morning, the group will visit the small village of Aljustrel, home of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, the three children who witnessed the Appa-ritions of the Blessed Mother starting in 1917. The group will then visit Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared in August of that year as well as the parish church where the children were baptized and where family members were buried in the cementery. In the afternoon, visit some of the highlights of Fátima, including the Capelinha (also known as the “Chapel of the Apparitions”) as well as the Basilica. The basilica contains, among other things, the tombs of two of the children of Fátima, Jacinta and Francisco. Then explore Fátima on your own, shop for religious articles and other souvenirs, or spend time in private devotion. An optional video presentation on the history of Fátima will be offered in the evening at the Consolata Fathers Center (to check). Participate in the Rosaries and Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Fátima.

After breakfast, departure to Salamanca. Saint Teresa's presence in Salamanca can be seen from Plaza Mayor square to the University. In the square you can see a medallion dedicated to the saint, and she is Doctor Honoris Causa of Salamanca University. In the New Cathedral there is a chapel in her honour, and she used to go to the Convent of San Esteban to ask the Dominican friars for advice. Saint Teresa of Ávila wrote a kind chronological diary of her travels: "The Book of Her Foundations". She was commissioned to write this book by the Jesuit community at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Proceed to Alba de Tormes, where you can visit Santa Teresa of Ávila’s tomb and see two of her most important relics: her heart and her left arm. Continuation to Ávila. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Ávila.

Following breakfast visit Ávila. The City of Kings and of Saint’s completely encircled by 11th century walls. This is the Birthplace of St. Theresa one of the greatest mystics of the Church. Depart to Fontiveros, where St John of the Cross born. Visit the Church of St. Cipriano where St John of the Cross – founder of the Discalced Carmelites - was baptized. Proceed to Burgos. Dinner and overnight in Burgos.

After breakfast departure for the visit of Burgos. In addition to the architectural masterpiece of Burgos which is the Cathedral, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the Royal Monastery of Huelgas Reales together with the famous Chapel of Saint James the Apostle, Burgos is where Saint Teresa arrived here in 1581 to establish her last convent: the Convent of San José and Santa Ana. Here you can see several of Saint Teresa's relics, like espadrilles, a veil and a letter that she wrote. You can also visit the Church of San Gil, where Saint Teresa would go to mass. Following Saint Teresa's footsteps pass by the Hospital of La Concepción and the Church of San Cosme and San Damián, where she stayed. Continuation to Loyola /Azpeitia, birthplace of Ignacio of Loyola. Visit of the Loyola sanctuary built on the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Order of the Jesuits. Continuation to Lourdes. Participate in the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

After 9reakfast, participate in a walking tour of Lourdes, the town so closely linked to the life of St. Bernadette. Visit the “Boly Mill” (site of the birthplace of St. Bernadette) and the “Cachot”, another home of the family. In fact, this is where she lived at the same time of the Apparitions. Also visit the parish church of her family (where St. Bernadette was baptized). Participate in the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

After breakfast, free time for devotions in the morning. Depart for Toulouse where we shall visit of the The Carmelite convent, built in the 17th Century with its remarkable 17th Century painted murals by Jean-Pierre and 18th Century paintings by Jean-Baptiste Despax. Visit Church of the Jacobins – burial place of St Thomas of Aquinas and the Basilica of St Sernin. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Toulouse.

After breakfast, depart to Barcelona. Following lunch, tour to La Monumental Bullring, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Joan Miro Park, Fountain of 3 Rivers, The Venetian towers, Magic Fountain, Olympic stadium, Port of Barcelona, Christopher Colombus Column, Las Ramblas, etc. Transfer to the hotel in Barcelona. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Manresa, to visit the cave of St. Ignatius and continuation to Montserrat to visit one of the most famous monasteries of Spain, the so called “National Monument” of Catalunya – in the middle of a spectacular landscape. Return to Barcelona for a free late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Barcelona.

Breakfast and free time before being transferred to Barcelona International Airport for departure flight. Arrive at O'hare same day.