Your trip includes
- Round-trip airfare from your desired Airport
- All Airport taxes & fuel surcharges
- Centrally located hotels as follows: (or similar)
- ~ 2 nights | Apr 30 - May 2: Best Western Ville Marie Hotel & Suites, Montreal
- ~ 1 night | May 2 - 3: Delta Hotels by Marriott Trois Rivieres Conference Centre - Trois Rivieres
- ~ 2 nights | May 3 - 5: Chateau Laurier Quebec, Quebec City
- Continental Breakfast daily
- 4 Lunches / 3 Dinners
- Wine with dinners
- Assistance of Christian guide throughout
- Sightseeing and admission fees as per Itinerary
- Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Direction
- Mass Daily and Spiritual activities
- Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Not included
- Lunches, beverages, and dinners not mentions. Tips to guide and driver
Itinerary
Day 1, Saturday, April 30: Arrive in Montreal, Canada
Make you way to your local airport to board your flight(s) to Montreal International Airport. Arrive in Montreal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world. Upon your arrival you will be greeted by your tour escort and driver, and then transferred to your hotel. Enjoy free time before celebrating Mass and dinner. Overnight in Montreal.
Day 2, Sunday, May 1: Montreal
The morning begins with a continental breakfast at your hotel. We will drive to the top of Mount Royal for a spectacular panorama view of the city of Montreal. Your day will include a visit to the Oratory of St. Joseph, the world's largest Shrine dedicated to St Joseph. The Oratory was founded by St. Andre Bessette in 1904 as a modest Chapel. Annually, this pilgrimage center receives more than two million visitors who come to meditate and pray in this peace-filled setting. The Oratory of St. Joseph grew from a small Chapel on beautiful Mount Royal to the premier Shrine of today. The Basilica's dome reaches 97 meters and is second only in height to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The primitive Chapel, votive Chapel, crypt, and Basilica presents a variety of architectural styles as the construction began in 1904 and finished in 1966. During our tour we will visit the tomb of St. Andre Bessette, as well as view the two great pipe organs that are played often throughout the week. We will celebrate Mass for the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker before we continue our journey. Next, we will visit the seat of the Archdiocese of Montreal, the Cathedral of Marie Reine du Monde (Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral), the third largest Church in Montreal after St. Joseph's Oratory and the Basilica of Sainte Anne de Beaupre. This Basilica was visited in 1951 by Monsignor Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Pope Paul VI. In August of 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II visited the Cathedral. As pope, John Paul II returned in 1984 as the first pope to visit Canada. Our next stop will be the 350-year old Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel, where the tomb of St. Marquerite Bourgeoys is located. The Chapel, built in 1771 over the site of the original stone Chapel, was often visited by sailors to pray before they were shipped out for duty. The story of St. Marguerite Bourgeoy's exceptional life with the early settlers who built Montreal is beautifully presented as we visit the museum named after her. The tower offers a spectacular view of Old Montreal and the Old Port. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Montreal.
Day 3, Monday, May 2: Montreal - Our Lady of the Cape Shrine
Wake to a continental breakfast at your hotel. Our day begins with a guided tour of Montreal. Visit the Notre Dame Basilica, which plays a significant part in Montreal's religious heritage. Constructed from 1824 to 1829, it dominates Old Montreal with its imposing size. The neo-gothic architecture and richness of its decoration inside and out make it shine like a jewel in comparison to the modern buildings nearby. Special attention should be given to the magnificent pipe organ, the largest in North America and the French stained glass windows, modeled after Sainte Chapelle Cathedral in Paris, France. After lunch, we will travel a short distance to the Mohawk community of Kahnawake where the tomb of the Lily of the Mohawks, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, is located. Afterwards, we departure for Trois-Rivieres and continue to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Cape. This Shrine is located in the majestic region of Mauricie and is Canada's National Shrine to the Blessed Mother. Standing on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, Our Lady of the Cape Shrine welcomes pilgrims annually to pray at the oldest standing Canadian Chapel, built in 1714. The Basilica is adorned with magnificent stained glass windows and a Casavant organ with 5425 pipes, one of the largest in Canada. With its beautiful gardens overlooking the river, the Shrine reveals an oasis of greenery and inspires peace and tranquility. The atmosphere of this Shrine and surrounding landscape invites you to spend time in spiritual reflection. The Way of the Cross, Adoration, prayer walk and a torch-lit procession (weather permitting) will all be available to you while you relax in this serene setting. Dinner and overnight at Pilgrim House.
Day 4, Tuesday, May 3: Our Lady of the Cape Shrine - Quebec
After morning breakfast we will depart for Quebec City, the cradle of French culture in North America. Today enjoy a city tour with the theme of "The Three Founders of Quebec City"; where you will learn more about the role of religion in the history of Quebec. Our exploring will include the Basilica Cathedral Notre Dame de Quebec with a visit to the crypt and the Francois de Laval Center; the Ursulines Monastery, which was started by a missionary group of Ursuline nuns in 1639 (the oldest institution of learning for women in North America); followed by a visit of the Marie de l'Incarnation Center. Our journey will take us to the St. Augustine's Monastery and the Catherine de Saint Augustin Center - dedicated to the co-founder of the Canadian Church who also dedicated her life to caring for the sick and destitute. We will celebrate Mass at the Basilica Notre Dame de Quebec. You are free to enjoy the remainder of the day to explore this beautiful city and have dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants you will find in Quebec! Overnight in Quebec.
Day 5, Wednesday, May 4: Quebec
After continental breakfast at your hotel we will visit the National Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupre, which welcomes over a million visitors from all over the world annually. Learn the fascinating history through artistic masterpieces such as beautiful mosaics, stained glass windows, stone and wood sculptures throughout its many Chapels. Enjoy a visit to the St. Anne museum. There will be free time to explore the Shrine with its old stone Church, outdoor Way of the Cross, and Scala Santa. We will celebrate Mass at the Shrine before visiting the Albert Gilles Copper Art & Museum nearby. View exclusive pieces and learn about the art of embossing copper, how it is extracted and used around the world. Our travels today will take us to Montmorency Falls Park where the waterfalls are 272 feet tall, that is 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls! You may admire the view from the cable car, suspended bridge, lookout points, or climbing stairs up the side of the cliff. Return to Quebec for your farewell dinner and overnight.
Day 6, Thursday, May 5: Quebec - Transfer for Departure
Continental breakfast at your hotel before check-out. Transfer to the airport for your departure with wonderful memories of new friends and renewed spirit from your Canadian Pilgrimage.