WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Round trip airfare on International Carrier Breakfast and dinner per itinerary Specially selected hotel accommodations Air-conditioned motor coach Full-time tour manager International Taxes and CURRENT fuel charges.

DAY 1- Monday, May 8 | DEPART USA Today our pilgrimage begins as we depart the USA on our transatlantic flight aboard a wide-bodied jet. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner and breakfast aloft.

DAY 2- Tuesday, May 9 | PARIS/LISIEUX We arrive in Paris and travel to Lisieux; home of St. Therese, the Carmelite nun known as “The Little Flower” and the Doctor of the Church. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

DAY 3- Wednesday, May 10 | LISIEUX/NORMANDY After breakfast, included daily, we spent time exploring the home of St. Therese, the Carmelite nun known as “The Little Flower” and the Doctor of the Church. We visit the site of the Lisieux family home, Les Buissonets, and the Carmelite Convent Chapel where St. Therese and her parents are entombed. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Therese. This afternoon we travel to the Normandy beaches & visit the American Cemetery. Dinner/ overnight Lisieux.

DAY 4- Thursday, May 11 | PARIS This morning we drive into the Illuminated City- we visit Sacre Coeur, located at the summit of Montmartre- the highest point in Paris. The basilica complex includes a garden for meditation and the top of the dome offers a spectacular panoramic view of Paris. We celebrate Mass here and walk over to Saint-Pierre de Montmartre church, founded by St. Denis. This afternoon we are free to wander the streets of Paris and soak up the atmosphere. Overnight/dinner at our hotel in Paris.

DAY 5- Friday, May 12| PARIS Today we celebrate Mass at the famous Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on the Rue de Bac, where Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and gave her instructions to make the Miraculous Medal. The shrine contains the incorrupt body of St. Catherine. The Blessed Mother also appeared to a “Daughters of Charity” Sister and gave her instructions to make the Green Scapular. We will walk around the corner to the Shrine of St. Vincent de Paul, at the Church of St. Lazare. St. Vincent de Paul’s tomb is here. He was a shining example of love for the poor. After free time for lunch and to visit the adjacent famous store- La Bon Marche, we tour the sites of Paris. We stop for an outside visit of the most enduring symbol of the French capital, Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité. We continue to Sainte-Chapelle, the royal chapel, constructed in a Gothic style. Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Paris.

DAY 6- Saturday, May 13| CHARTRES Today we depart Paris early and head to Chartres, a former pagan sanctuary that was evangelized in the fourth century and became a pilgrimage site in 876. In this year, Charles the Bald gave the town the tunic, that tradition says was worn by the Virgin Mary while giving birth to Jesus. The 13th century cathedral dominates this idyllic town, surrounded by wheat fields. The church building itself is literally a Bible in stone, with over 4,000 sculpted figures and 5,000 figures in the stained-glass windows, illustrating the Bible and lives of the Saints. We enjoy an in-depth guided tour of Chartres and celebrate Mass. After Mass, we have free time for lunch on our own and exploring the town. Dinner and overnight in Chartres. After dinner we have the option of walking over to the Cathedral to see the illuminations and light show on the Cathedral.

DAY 7- Sunday, May 14| NEVERS|PARAY LE MONIAL|ARS This morning we journey to Nevers to visit the convent of St. Gildard, where Saint Bernadette spent the final years of her life. We view the incorrupt body of Saint Bernadette kept in a glass reliquary. We have a guided tour of Nevers. Then we continue our journey 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 Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. Here we stop in the Chapel of the Visitation. We continue on to Ars, the village of the Holy Cure and visit the house and shrine of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of all priests. We have a guided tour of Ars and view the shrine of St. John Vianney, where we celebrate Mass. We will also stop at the famous statue on the outskirts of the city. Dinner and overnight at our hotel near Ars.

DAY 8- Monday, May 15| LOURDES We depart from the Ars area after breakfast. We journey along the Rhone River to the Shrine of Lourdes. Upon arrival we will celebrate Mass at the Grotto. Dinner and overnight Lourdes. In the evening, we join the Torchlight Marian Procession.

DAY 9- Tuesday, May 16 | LOURDES This day is spent in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. We enjoy an orientation visit to the Shrine and a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, the Cachot, formerly used as a jail, where she lived during the apparitions, and the parish church. We will celebrate Mass and then have a free for private devotions, the Eucharistic Procession, the Blessing of the Sick or the legendary. We can also experience the miraculous baths of Lourdes. We, once again, join the Rosary and candlelight procession. Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Lourdes.

DAY 10- Wednesday, May 17 | LOURDES Today is a free day in Lourdes. We celebrate Mass together and then we have the option of walking the Stations of Cross. We can explore the town of Lourdes on foot. Tonight, our farewell dinner is in a local restaurant. We will also join the Rosary and candlelight procession this evening. Overnight at our hotel in Lourdes.

DAY 11- Thursday, May 18 |LOURDES This morning we rise early, and head towards Toulouse to make our connection for for our flight home to the USA. The memories of our pilgrimage will remain strong forever- we just experienced an incredible journey through the Shrines of France!