Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines & Medjugorje
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Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines & Medjugorje
Pilgrimage Overview
Join Fr. Ethan Southard on a Pilgrimage to Marian Shrines & Medjugorje!
DAY 1
Depart USA
Your pilgrimage begins today as you depart on your flight to Split (or Dubrovnik).
DAY 2
Arrive Split
Upon arrival to Split (or Dubrovnik) International Airport, your group will meet with your guide and driver, and your pilgrimage journey to Medjugorje begins. After short border formalities between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the group will arrive in Medjugorje. Check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 3
Medjugorje
After breakfast, your local English-speaking guide will begin introductions, starting with a walk from your hotel to St. James Church. You will arrive just before the first English-language Mass at 10:00 AM. In the afternoon, we will visit Bijakovici Village and Apparition Hill (also known as Podbrdo), where Our Lady first appeared. In the evening, gather with pilgrims from around the world at 6:00 PM to pray the Rosary. All three Mysteries will be prayed during the evening program, followed by Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, or Veneration of the Cross. Religious articles will be blessed after Mass.
DAY 4
Medjugorje
This morning, pilgrims will have the opportunity to climb “Cross Mountain” (Krizevac), a powerful site of prayer and reflection. We’ll also visit the “Blue Cross,” another location of apparitions. The remainder of the day will allow time for private devotions, quiet reflection, shopping, or simply enjoying your own “freedom of prayer.” We will gather again for the evening Rosary and Mass program.
DAY 5
Depart Medjugorje
This morning we transfer to Split or Dubrovnik and take our flights to Toulouse. Upon arrival, we transfer to Lourdes, where we will check into our hotel. Time permitting, we will join the candlelight procession in the evening.
DAY 6
Lourdes
We begin the day with Mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. Afterward, we take our official group photo in front of the Basilica and begin our guided tour of Lourdes, including the Sanctuary of the Basilica of St. Pius X—the world’s largest underground church. We will also visit the Baths, where thousands of miraculous cures have taken place.
DAY 8
Depart Lourdes
This morning we depart Lourdes and travel toward the Basque Country. Our first stop will be in Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius and founder of the Jesuit Order. We visit the Basilica of Loyola and learn about the life and conversion of St. Ignatius. Continue to Bilbao, where we visit Bilbao Cathedral, dedicated to St. James and an important religious landmark of the city. We will also view the iconic Guggenheim Museum from the exterior, a symbol of modern Bilbao. After time for prayer, we continue our journey into Santander.
DAY 9
Depart Santander
After breakfast, we depart Santander and journey toward the Cantabria region. Our first stop will be the village of Garabandal, known for the Marian apparitions of the 1960s. Here, we will visit key sites associated with the apparitions and spend time in prayer. Next, we head to Santo Toribio de Liébana, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain and home to the Lignum Crucis, believed to be the largest remaining fragment of the True Cross. We will have time for prayers and reflection at the monastery. We then continue to Santiago de Compostela for dinner and overnight.
DAY 10
Santiago de Compostela
This morning we begin our visit of Santiago de Compostela, where the tomb of St. James (brother of St. John the Apostle) was discovered. We’ll visit the Cathedral of St. James, one of the finest examples of architecture in Europe. Pilgrims will have the opportunity to climb behind the high altar to visit the crypt, touch the central pillar (Portico de la Gloria), view the botafumeiro, and admire the medieval art in the Cathedral. We’ll also visit the cloister museum. Enjoy free time exploring the historic streets of Santiago de Compostela.
Optional Morning Walking Tour ~ Join walking pilgrims at Monte del Gozo, from which the Cathedral’s spires are first visible. Walk the last miles of El Camino to the Cathedral.
DAY 11
Depart Santiago de Compostela
Today we depart Santiago de Compostela and head to Fatima. On our way we make a stop in Porto where we will visit the Church of St. Francis. The Church of St. Francis is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto, being also noted for its outstanding Baroque inner decoration. We will have time for lunch before continuing to Fatima, where we will check into our hotel. In the evening, we participate in the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.
DAY 12
Fatima / Santarém / Lisbon
This morning we explore Fatima, the sacred site where Our Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to Lucia Santos and her cousins, Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco Marto. We have time for lunch. We then depart towards Lisbon, stopping in Santarém to visit the historic Church of St. Stephen, renowned for the 8th-century Eucharistic Miracle. Here we will celebrate Mass. We continue to Lisbon for dinner and overnight.
DAY 13
Return Home
Today we bid farewell to Portugal and board our flights home, carrying with us memories that will last a lifetime.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Roundtrip Flights from Los Angeles (LAX)
- 4-5 Star Hotels
- Excursions as per itinerary
- Meals (per itinerary)
- Overnight Accommodations
- Air-Conditioned Motor Coach
- Professional English-Speaking Tour Guide
- Pilgrim's Backpack
- Spiritual Director
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Passport and Visas (Refer to the section below for Passports or Visas help)
- Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend that all travelers purchase a travel protection plan to help protect themselves and their trip investment. Travel protection plans can provide coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation/repatriation, trip delay, baggage delay, and more. Please go to the link below to learn more Click here for Travel Insurance Details.
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