Day 1 & 2 – Santerem
Following a full day of travel leaving the United States, we stop at the Shrine of the Holy Miracle in Santerem and celebrated Mass. It was here in 1266 that a consecrated host was stolen. The host bled in a woman’s hand and continued to do so until the next day. The bleeding host was returned to the Church and remains intact today. After adoring the Eucharistic Lord in the miraculous host, we continued onto Fatima.
Day 3 – Fatima
We spent our second day in Fatima visiting the Basilica of the Holy Rosary and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. At the Chapel of Apparitions, we joined the local community for the celebration of Mass. Later, we went onto to visit the birthplaces of the three young visionaries Francisco, Jacinta, and Lucia as well as the Loca de Anjo and Holy Way.
Day 4 – Fatima / Avila
After the celebration of Mass at the Shrine of Fatima we left Fatima and made our way to Avila, Spain. Avila is the birthplace and hometown of St. Theresa, who was a great author, mystic, reformer, and doctor of the Church. Our day concluded with a visit to the Cathedral Museum.
Day 5 – Zaragoza
From Avila, we travelled north to Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, Spain. This city was founded by Romans and is known for its luxurious vegetation, cascades, and grottos. We proceed to visit the The Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar, considered the number one Marian shrine of Spain. It was here in 40 A.D. that Blessed Mother while still alive and living in Jersusalem appeared to Saint James to encourage him to spread the message of Christ. Saint James is credited with planting the Gospel in Spain which later led to the Franciscan friars and Christopher Colomnus to bring Christianity to the new world (the Americas).
Day 6 – Lourdes
On our sixth day we cross the border at the Pyreness Mountains into France stopping at Lourdes. We begin with the celebration of Mass at the Grotto and then go on a tour of Lourdes and visit Boly Mill, the Cachot, and parish church. Boly Mill is where Saint Bernadette was born, while the Cachot, previously used as a jail is where Bernadette lived during the apparitions. At night, we participated in a candlelight procession with a multi-lingual recitation of the Rosary. Tomorrow, we head to Paris.
Day 7 – Lourdes to Paris
After stopping in Lourdes we boarded the train to Paris, France. After arriving, we had the opportunity to briefly enjoy a orientation tour of the city of Paris. We celebrated Mass at the beautiful Church of the Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) which is where perpetual adoration to atone for the sins of the French people has been available since 1885. Tomorrow, brings us another opportunity to explore Paris!
Day 8 – Paris
On our eighth day we begin by visiting the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal of St. Catherine Laboure. The remainder of the day gives us the opportunity to explore the sights of Paris passing by the Arc de Trimphe, Eiffel Tower and traveling down the famous Champs-Elysees. We stopped to visit the Sainte-Chapelle church which was built by Saint Louis in the 13th century and is located just five minutes from Notre Dame. The particular church is home to the relics of the crown of thorns and the true cross (purchased by St. Louis). The church was eventually damaged by fire and during the French revolution was used to store flour and court archives. Facing public pressure under Victor Hugo (author of the Hunchback of Notre Dame), it was restored during the mid 1800s. Tomorrow, we head to Lisieux!
Day 9 – Lisieux
Our ninth day, October 1st, brought us to Lisieux, this is also the Feast Day of Saint Therese of the Little Flower. We celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Saint Therese, where she lived her short and holy life. Later in the day we visit the Convent and home of Saint Therese. Saint Therese of the Little Flower, pray for us!
This is the Carmelite monastery (Carmel) where Saint Thérèse entered religious life in 1888 at age 15. She died here in September 30, 1897 at age 24,and is buried at the monastery chapel.
This is the home where Saint Thérèse lived with her father Louis and sisters, following the death of her mother Zélie, and before she joined the Carmelite Carmel (convent) in Lisieux, France, in 1888 at age 15. Saint Thérèse was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Her parents were canonized in 2015 by Pope Francis.