"IF THE ONLY PRAYER YOU EVER SAID WAS THANK YOU, THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH"

Our Pilgrimage

12 Day Tour from Lisbon to Barcelona

Starting from picturesque Lisbon, we visited some of the world’s most treasured Marian shrines, pilgrimage sites, and spiritual places in Portugal, Spain, and France. We heard about the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to the shepherd children in Fátima, learned about the journey taken by pilgrims from all over the world to Santiago de Compostela, and visited Loyola and Manresa to get inspired by St. Ignacio’s Jesuit mission. In Braga, we walked the monumental steps of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, and in Burgos, we marveled at the majestic Cathedral. We joined the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession in Lourdes. We spent one night by the inspiring Montserrat Sanctuary, where we also attended Mass. We ended in Barcelona with time to celebrate life, reflect, and rejoice.

The greatest obstacle to man’s journey towards God is sin, perseverance in sin, and, finally, denial of God.

Saint John Paul II

Homily in Fatima, May 13, 1982

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Pilgrims

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Our Journey

Over 30 people came together for a 12-day tour of some of the most sacred and revered Marian sites in Portugal, France, and Spain. Look at the pictures to see the joyful camaraderie shared with our newfound friends.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

Welcome to Portugal!

After checking into our hotel, some of us used the free time to explore the sights of Lisbon. Later in the evening, we met our Tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting.

Day 2: LISBON-SANTAREM-FATIMA

On our guided tour of Portugal's capital, we visited the monument to Henry the Navigator, the 16th-century Belém Tower, the Moorish citadel, and Black Horse Square. We saw the Cathedral La Sé, where St. Anthony was baptized, and St. Anthony’s Church, believed to be his birthplace.

We admired St. Mary of Belém Church, part of the Jeronimos Monastery, built in the mid-1400s to thank the Virgin Mary for Vasco de Gama’s voyage to India. Then, we headed north to Santarém to visit the Church of the Eucharistic Holy Miracle before arriving in Fátima, home to one of the most famous Catholic shrines.

We took an orientation walk and visited the Tomb of the Visionaries and the Chapel of the Apparitions, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in 1917.

That evening, we joined pilgrims for the Rosary and candlelight procession at the Our Lady of Fátima Basilica.

Day 3: FATIMA

We spent the day at the Sanctuary at leisure or joined an optional excursion to Tomar with a visit to the Monastery-Fortress of the Knights Templar.

Upon returning to Fatima, we attended [M] Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady with time to wander on our own.

That evening, we joined in praying the Rosary once more.

Day 4: FATIMA-BRAGA-SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, SPAIN

We journeyed north and stopped in Braga, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, and visited the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site and pilgrimage destination, where devout followers had walked the “Stations of the Cross” for contemplation and penance since 1811.

We saw the unique zigzag stairway dedicated to the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—and the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.

We continued into Spain and headed for Santiago de Compostela, one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations since the Middle Ages.

On arrival, an orientation walk introduced us to the old city center. Then, we attended the [M] Pilgrim Mass.

Day 5: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

This morning, we spent some time on our own or joined an optional excursion to Cabo Finisterre, where pilgrims had traditionally completed their walk and burned their robes.

Later, we returned to Santiago de Compostela, known throughout history for the key 9th-century pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James).

Day 6: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA- BURGOS

Today, we traveled to Burgos, the historic capital of Old Castile. Our visit took us to the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and burial place of Spain’s national hero, El Cid.

Day 7: BURGOS-LOYOLA-LOURDES, FRANCE

We traveled through the Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, we paused to reflect at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. We crossed into France and stayed overnight in Lourdes, home to another world-famous pilgrimage destination.

We joined the nightly Rosary and candlelight procession for a memorable spiritual experience.

Day 8: LOURDES

Today, a local spiritual expert, Sr. Christine, introduced us to this important Marian Shrine. We saw all the main sites and heard the story of how the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 1858.

The afternoon was at leisure to further explore this little market town. According to the schedule, we attended [M] Mass at the Sanctuary early in the morning.

Day 9: LOURDES-CARCASSONNE- MONTSERRAT, SPAIN

We headed for the France/Spain border. We stopped to visit the fortified citadel of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We saw the ramparts, castle walls, and drawbridges that were still well preserved from the Middle Ages.

We stayed overnight at the Catalan impressive location of the Marian shrine of Montserrat.

Day 10: MONTSERRAT-MANRESA- BARCELONA

We visited the Sanctuary of Montserrat that morning and attended [M] Mass. We continued to the town of Manresa, known for its Basilica of Saint Mary of Seo, but more importantly for Pont Vell, a bridge associated with the worship of St. Ignacio of Loyola.

We saw the architectural compound of Santa Cova, the sanctuary home of St. Ignacio of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, when he stayed in the city. Later, we reached Barcelona, the lively capital of Catalonia.

Day 11: BARCELONA

We got to know the city on a guided sightseeing tour, including a drive around Montjuïc to see the Olympic Stadium for a great panoramic view of the port and city.

We continued to the city center’s Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia to admire Gaudí’s eccentric Houses Batlló and Milà, as well as his Sagrada Familia, an unfinished architectural masterpiece that is still a consecrated expression of the Catholic faith.

We celebrated Mass (M), then, that evening, enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate faith, life, and friendship.

Day 12: BARCELONA

Our holiday ended with breakfast this morning.

Journey

We visited some of the world's most cherished Marian shrines, pilgrimage sites, and spiritual destinations in Portugal, Spain, and France.

LISBON

SANTAREM

FATIMA

BRAGA

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

BURGOS

LOYOLA

LOURDES

CARCASSONNE

MONTSERRAT

MANRESA

BARCELONA

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