Day 2 • Lisbon
Day 7-8 • Lourdes
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We begin our journey as we board our plane for our flight to Lisbon. We travel over the Atlantic Ocean, and dinner and breakfast are served on board.
Day 2 • Arrival Lisbon
Upon arrival, we are met by Signature Tours International representatives and our Priest. We have an orientation drive through Lisbon, and stop to visit St. Anthony’s Church. Saint Anthony actually was born and grew up here in Lisbon, despite what assumptions are made from his name. Traditionally, the invocation of his name is considered the best means of locating lost objects. We have dinner and stay the night in Lisbon.
Day 4 • Fatima
Day 3 • Lisbon/Santarem/Fatima
Today we depart fro Santarem, where one of the oldest cities in the world is located. We visit the Church of St. Stephen, where the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle has been on continuous display since 1269. We then continue to Fatima for dinner and the night. Fatima is where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace.
Day 4 • Fatima/Alba de Tormes/Salamanca
Here, a new big basilica is currently under construction. However, an older on, just as beautiful, was constructed in 1928, and millions of pilgrims visit every year. For Catholics around the world, Fatima is one of the most visited holy places. The visits by Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II attest to the spiritually intense atmosphere and the importance of Fatima. We take a tour around Fatima, seeing the Little Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica, the site of Francesco and Jacinta’s graves, the Hamlet of Aljustrel (where the children lived), and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance after the children’s return from prison. We follow Stations of the Cross along the Sacred Way (the Via Sacra), culminating in the Chapel of Calvary. Here we overlook all of Fatima. We join with pilgrims from around the globe in an evening candlelight procession. Overnight is in Salamanca.
Day 5 • Salamanca/Avila/Burgos
We depart for the city of Avila, dedicated to St. Teresa of Jesus. She is the great mystic who was the first woman to be named a Doctor of the Church. Here in Avila, we visit the Cathedral, containing many of the Saint’s relics, the Crypt of the Convento of La Santa, built on the site of the house where she was born and home to the most comprehensive museum dedicated to her life, and La Encarnacion Convent, the first convent she found. Then we travel to the historic capital of Old Castle, the city of Burgos. After dinner, we have time on our own to explore Burgos and marvel at the fascinating Cathedral made of limestone. Overnight is in Burgos.
Day 6 • Burgos/Loyola/Lourdes
On our way to Lourdes, France, we stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. We see the 17th century Basilica, dedicated to St. Ignatius, and visit the saint’s family home, located behind the sanctuary. At the age of 30, St. Ignatius was seriously wounded at the Battle of Pamplona and was brought to a room in this building. Then we travel through the Pyrenees Mountains to the city of Lourdes, located between the stunning mountain-river, Gave de Pau. This is the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom, in 1858,our lady appeared near the Grotto of Massabielle. We have time on our own to explore before dinner and then we have a candlelight procession. Overnight is in Lourdes.
Day 7 & 8 • Lourdes
We have a guided tour of Lourdes that includes the sanctuary, the Basilica of St. Pius X (the world’s largest underground church), and the baths, where many miraculous cures have taken place. We also have a video that tells the story of Lourdes. We walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette as we see Boly Mill, where the saint was born, and the “Cachot”, an abandoned prison where the saint’s poor family lived. We have time on our own to pray for the sick, pray at the Grotto, drink water from the miraculous spring, submerge yourself in the healing baths, or walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the Holy Grotto. You can also kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto in obedience to the request of the “Immaculate Conception.” Each night we participate in candlelight processions and have time for devotions on our own. Overnight is in Lourdes both nights.
Day 9 • Lourdes/Medjugorje
This morning, we enjoy a tour of this very picturesque city with buildings dating back to Roman and Medieval times. Our first stop is the famous gothic-style Cathedral where George Ratzinger, the Pope's brother, was a bandmaster for the Regensburger Domspatzen. We visit the University of Regensburg, where the Pope taught as a professor. We have dinner and stay overnight in Regensburg.
Day 10 - 12 • Medjugorje
The remainder of our stay in Medjugorje is meant to be treated as a personal retreat, not necessarily as a “tour”. We have time to pray, explore on our own, and reflect. We first have an orientation tour where representative of Signature Tours are available if you have any questions or requests. Daily Mass is held in English, and English confessions are available at St. James Church. You have full discretion on how your time in Medjugorje is spent. Take time to experience the beauty and serenity of this simple village. Share your faith with pilgrims from around the world. Follow the path up Apparition Hill where visionaries first encountered Our Lady or touch the cross that memorializes the spot where Mary first appeared to the visionaries. Climb Krizevac Mountain, where in 1933, on the anniversary of Jesus’ crucifixion, the villagers built a 30-foot high cross. At the base of Apparition Hill, you can visit and pray at “Blue Cross”, a very special place of healings and graces. Also, visit the Oasis of Peace, which holds an unbelievable 24 hour Adoration Chapel. If the visionaries are in Medjugorje during your trip and depending on their availability, our guide will arrange meetings with them at their homes.
(Every evening around 5pm or 6pm daylight savings time, we can join the villagers and pilgrims to pray the rosary. The apparition takes place at 5:40pm or 6:40pm daylight savings time, and then we can stay on for Croatian Mass. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, don’t miss the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and on Fridays, the Veneration of the Cross in the Church. Also, every evening during Croatian Mass, there is the Blessing of the Sick and the Blessing of the items you have with you.)
Day 13 • Medjugorje/Hometown, U.S.A.
This morning, we enjoy a tour of this very picturesque city with buildings dating back to Roman and Medieval times. Our first stop is the famous gothic-style Cathedral where George Ratzinger, the Pope's brother, was a bandmaster for the Regensburger Domspatzen. We visit the University of Regensburg, where the Pope taught as a professor. We have dinner and stay overnight in Regensburg.