Medjugorje, Sarajevo – Barcelona, Spain
Fatima, Santarém, Lisbon – Portugal – Lourdes, France
Tour: Nov 3, 2024 – Nov 16, 2024
From: $5,995 + Tax
Inclusive of international airfares
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal
Special Highlights
• Fr. Joseph Phạm Tăng Tri, spiritual director, will accompany the group on this spiritual journey.
• Fr. Tri will lead prayers or celebrate Mass at permissible locations and times.
Medjugorje – Main highlights of the pilgrimage:
• Ascend the Apparition Hill: Site of the first apparition of Our Lady to the visionaries. Pilgrims will witness the exact location where Our Lady appeared, with private time for prayer.
• At the base of Apparition Hill, where Our Lady appeared to the children while they hid from the communist police in the early days of the apparitions.
• Attend the daily apparitions: Each evening at 6 pm, join the villagers and fellow pilgrims at St. James Church or Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appears to the visionaries and pray the rosary.
• Participate in the daily Mass: Each morning at 10 am at St. James Church (Mass in English).
• Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: Located on the grounds of St. James Church, allowing private time for prayer and meditation.
Lourdes: Main highlights of the pilgrimage:
• Pray and meditate near the Grotto of Massabielle, led by Fr. Tri.
• Attend Mass at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette.
• Fr. Tri will lead meditation at the Stations of the Cross overlooking the Grotto of Massabielle.
• Walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette, visiting Boly Mill and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where her family lived.
• Optional: Participate in healing baths at the miraculous spring and drink water from it.
Barcelona, Spain:
• Visit Montserrat Benedictine Monastery, home to the Black Virgin of Montserrat.
• Tour La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, designed by Antoni Gaudí, recently beatified by the Vatican.
• Explore the Cathedral of Barcelona, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross & St. Eulalia.
Lisbon, Portugal:
• Travel north to the old city of Santarem. Visit the Church of St. Stephen, housing a 13th-century Eucharistic Miracle.
• Tour St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to honor the Virgin Mary.
• Visit St. Anthony’s Church, constructed on the site of St. Anthony’s birth.
• Continue to the Hamlet of Aljustrel, home of the three shepherd children Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. Visit the Parish Church and Fatima Parish Cemetery.
Fatima – Main highlights of the pilgrimage:
• Commence with a reflective visit to the Little Chapel of the Apparitions.
• Proceed to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, containing the tombs of Blessed Francisco, Blessed Jacinta, and Sister Lucia.
• Explore the Museum exhibition “Light and Peace.”
• Participate in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra, retracing the path taken by the shepherd children.
• Visit Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparitions.
• Conclude with private devotions or Mass celebrated by Fr Tri.
Check-in at Los Angeles Airport. Depart for Sarajevo, Capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Arrive in Sarajevo. Check in at your hotel and dinner. (D)
En-route to the first main highlights of the pilgrimage, Our Lady of Medjugorje, Queen of Peace.
Climb the Apparition Hill: Visionary of the first apparition of Our Lady. While climbing the hill, the pilgrims will witness the exact location of Our Lady appeared to the visionaries. There will be private time for prayer.
At 6pm, join the villagers and other pilgrims of Medjugorje praying at St James Church or at the Apparition Hill to commemorate the time Our Lady appears to the visionaries. Pray the rosary.
Blessing of the Sick after evening Mass in Croatian (Optional).
Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje (B/D)
Attend Mass: 10am at St James Church (Mass in English).
Prayer at the Statue of the Risen Christ: The statue is located on the grounds of St James Church. Private time for praying/meditation.
Lunch & Walk around the town – free time
Transfer back to Sarajevo. (B/D)
Board a morning flight to Barcelona.
City tour of Barcelona.
Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia, beckons travelers with its eclectic blend of architectural marvels, sandy beaches, and rich cultural heritage. From the iconic Sagrada Familia to the bustling streets of Las Ramblas, the city pulsates with energy and creativity at every turn. Indulge in mouthwatering tapas, explore the historic Gothic Quarter, and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of this Mediterranean gem.
Check-in and dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Transfer to Montserrat Benedictine monastery, one of the 10 most unique monasteries in the world. The place is notable for its unique architecture and enshrining the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat. According to Catholic historians, the statue was carved around 50 AD and brought to Spain. It was later hidden from the Moors in a cave, then rediscovered in 880 AD by shepherds. Legend has it that they followed a bright light and heard heavenly music then eventually found the statue. The Bishop of Manresa, present at the discovery, suggested that the statue of the Black Virgin of Montserrat be moved to Manresa. However, when they were trying to move the small statue, it was too heavy to be lifted. Thus people had to build a monastery around the statue. It seemed that the Virgin had indicated her will to stay on Montserrat to be venerated there. (B/D)
Visit La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, designed by Antonin Gaudi, known as God’s architect. He’s recently beatified by the Vatican.
La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. The construction of the church began in 1883, and Gaudi worked on it until his death in 1926. La Sagrada Familia is expected to be completed in 2026 with funding from donations and ticket sales. Currently, 8 out of 12 100-meter tall bell towers are completed. The higher towers of the facade of the glory and the central dome with a height of over 170 meters will be built. The style of this marvelous church is a mixture of Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and Art Nouveau. While visiting the church, give yourself a lot of time to examine the details of the facades, where many embassies and biblical stories are hidden.
The Cathedral of Barcelona, also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, is a stunning architectural masterpiece that dates back to the 13th century. (B/D)
En-route to Lourdes. Arrive in Lourdes in the afternoon.
Walk and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. You will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette; and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived.
Prayer or attend Mass at a local chapel or at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette. St. Bernadette, who experienced the visions, was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1933. Her humble devotion and the miracles associated with Lourdes have contributed to its significance as a holy place for pilgrims seeking solace, healing, and a profound encounter with the divine. (B/D)
Visit the second main highlights of the pilgrimage.
During the time in Lourdes, pray and meditate, pray the rosary near the Grotto of Massabielle.
Attend Mass at the Grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette.
Optional: Healing baths at the miraculous spring. Drink water from the miraculous spring.
Meditation at the Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. (B/D)
Morning flight from Toulouse to Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal’s coastal capital, exudes charm with its colorful streets, historic neighborhoods, and stunning river views. Wander through the winding alleys of Alfama, where the sounds of fado music drift through the air, and marvel at the iconic Belém Tower standing proudly along the Tagus River. With its vibrant culinary scene, rich maritime history, and warm hospitality, Lisbon offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler.
Visit St Anthony’s Church – Built upon the site of St Anthony’s birth.
If time permit, we will visit St Jerome’s Monastery built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary
Check-in and dinner at your hotel. (B/D)
Travel north to the old city of Santarem. In Santarem, visit and attend Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, which held the Eucharistic Miracle in the 13th century.
Continue to Hamlet of Aljustrel, home of the three shepherd children Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco, visit the Parish Church and Fatima Parish Cemetery.
In the evening, conclude with private devotions, candlelight procession, if available.
Dinner and overnight in Fatima (B/D)
Visit the third main highlights of the pilgrimage.
Arrive to Our Blessed Mother’s apparition sites. The group reflective day begins with a visit to the Little Chapel of the Apparitions.
Continue to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. This site contains the tombs of Blessed Francisco, Blessed Jacinta, and Sister Lucia.
Visit the Museum of the exhibition” Light and Peace.
Lunch time – Free time
After lunch time, AV group participates in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (Scared Way) marked by the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima.
Visit to Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1017 first and third apparition of the Angel.
Overnight in Fatima. (B/D)
En route to Lisbon. Visit St Jerome’s Monastery built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. St Anthony’s Church Built upon the site of St Anthony’s birth (celebrate Mass). Overnight in Lisbon. (B/D)
Check-out and fly back to the U.S. (B)