Fatima ~ Lourdes
w/ Our Lady of the Woods
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Our Lady of the Woods Parish and Fr Bob Johnson invite you on a transformative pilgrimage to the most revered and beloved Marian Shrines in the world: Fatima and Lourdes.
The Shrine in Fatima, Portugal commemorates the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three shepherd children: Lucia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto, in 1917. According to the children, the Virgin Mary appeared to them on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting from May until October. The messages conveyed during these apparitions included calls for prayer, penance, and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Sanctuary includes the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Chapel of the Apparitions, and the vast open square where pilgrims join in a nightly, candlelit Rosary procession.
Lourdes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées area of southwestern France, is the site of the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Bernadette reported 18 apparitions of a "Lady" who asked for a chapel to be built at the grotto of Massabielle. During one of the apparitions, a spring emerged, and the water is known its for miraculous healing power. The Sanctuary includes the Grotto of Massabielle, where the apparitions took place, and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Pilgrims participate in the Blessing of the Sick, processions, and the bathing pools where they pray for healing in the spring water.
Pilgrims from around the world visit Fatima and Lourdes seeking spiritual renewal and physical healing. Jesus promises a wealth of blessings and profound spiritual experiences, and we hope you will join us!
DAYS 1 & 2 : Detroit > Lisbon > Fatima
We depart USA en route to Lisbon, Portugal with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft. Upon arrival at Lisbon International Airport, board a private motorcoach and depart for Fatima. On the way, we will stop in Batalha for Holy Mass and a tour of the Monastery of the Dominicans. The Monastery of Batalha was built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. It was to be the Portuguese monarchy's main building project for the next two centuries. Here a highly original, national Gothic style evolved, profoundly influenced by Manueline art, as demonstrated by its masterpiece, the Royal Cloister. We continue to Hotel Regina in Fatima for dinner and overnight at the hotel. D​​
DAY 3: Fatima
Celebrate a morning Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions, then visit the hamlet of Aljustrel, home to Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. See Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared to the children after their return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra, with time for personal devotions and dinner. Join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession. Dinner and overnight in Fatima. (B,D)
DAY 4: Fatima> Coimbra >Santiago de Compostela
Today we depart for the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela. Along the way we will stop for lunch in the wonderful town of Coimbra to celebrate the Holy Mass at Carmelo of St. Teresa, where sister Lucia, one of the three shepherd children from Fatima, lived before she died in 2005. We then venerate the First Five Franciscan Martyrs at the Monastery of the Holy Cross. It was here the Franciscan friars met a young Fernando de Bulhões, the future Saint Anthony of Padua, and here where the friars were brought after their deaths in Morocco. Continue to Santiago de Compostela for dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the Oca Puerta del Camino Hotel. (B|D)
DAY 5: Santiago de Compostela
This morning, we have free time to enjoy Santiago de Compostela before meeting at the magnificent Santiago de Compostela Arch Cathedral Basilica and the Tomb of St James for 10:30AM Pilgrim's Mass. For those who wish, there will be an optional walk along the traditional pilgrimage trail, El Camino, that will end at the Cathedral. This is a three mile, moderately difficult walk that will take about an hour. After celebrating The Pilgrims Mass, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, experiencing local dining venues with an overnight in Santiago de Compostela. (B)
DAY 6: Santiago de Compostela/León/Burgos
After breakfast, we depart Santiago de Compostela and travel east to Burgos with a stop in León for lunch as a group. We will see the Cathedral of León, one of the most important Gothic structures in Spain, and the Basílica de San Isidoro, a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Isidore of Seville. Upon arrival in Burgos we will visit its extraordinary Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid. Dinner and overnight in Burgos. (B|L|D)
DAY 7: Burgos/Loyola/Lourdes
Today we depart for Lourdes with a visit to the Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. The centerpiece of the Sanctuary is the Basilica of Saint Ignatius, a remarkable structure built in the Baroque style. Construction began in 1689 around the site of St Ignatius' birth, and was completed in the 18th century. We will also visit and pray at the Saint Ignatius Chapel of Conversion. This room is where Saint Ignatius recovered from his wounds received at the battle of Pamplona. It was here he felt called by God after reading several books on the life of Jesus and the lives of the saints.
After lunch on our own, we cross into France and arrive in Lourdes. After dinner on your own, you’re invited to join the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession. (B)
DAY 8: Lourdes
Today we celebrate Holy Mass before enjoying a guided walking tour of Lourdes, one of the most frequently visited Marian Shrines and pilgrimage sites in the world. Our guide will share the history of the Marian apparitions that St. Bernadette Soubirous witnessed. We will visit the places where the apparitions occurred in 1858, among them three basilicas, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Rosary Basilica and the Basilica of St. Pius X, respectively known as the upper, lower and underground basilica. The rest of the afternoon is free with lunch and dinner on our own. (B)
DAY 9: Lourdes
Celebrate Mass and walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, kneeling in the chapel built upon the rock of the grotto. Join the nightly candlelight procession, and gather for a group farewell dinner this evening to conclude your spiritual journey. (B,SD)
DAY 10: Toulouse > Detroit
Today we transfer to the airport in Toulouse for our flight home after a spiritual journey across Portugal, Spain and France. We take with us wonderful memories of our travel with dear friends, and edifying, indeed, sanctifying encounters with Our Lady. Thank you Fr Bob and God bless! B