Join Make it Known with Fr. Pat on a
Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to France Septmeber 25 - October 6, 2016 | $3,899 from Boston Group Leader: Fran Gunning
† Round-trip airfare from Boston † Airport Taxes and Fuel Surcharges † Centrally located First Class Hotels: (or similar)
~ 2 night | Sep 26 - Sep 28: Pullman Bercy, Paris
~ 1 night | Sep 28 - Sep 29: Hotel Regina, Ars Sur Formans
~ 3 night | Sep 29 - Oct 02: Shrine Hotel, La Salette
~ 1 night | Oct 02 - Oct 03: Novotel Avignon Center, Avignon
~ 3 night | Oct 03 - Oct 06: Grand Hotel Moderne, Lourdes
† Transfers as per itinerary † Breakfast and Dinner daily † Wine and mineral water with dinners † Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach † Assistance of a professional local Christian guide(s) † Professional local guides: Paris, Lisieux, Avignon and Lourdes † Mass daily & Spiritual activities † Luggage handling (1 piece per person) †Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents
Day 1 | September 25: Depart from Boston
Make your way to Boston Airport, where you will board your overnight flight. Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2 | September 26: Arrive Paris
Upon arriving in Paris, you will make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Then, you will proceed to the Arrival’s Hall where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver and embark on a tour of the city of Paris. We will visit the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Enjoy the Spectacular views at the top of Montmartre hill before continuing to your hotel for dinner & overnight Paris; “The City of Light”
Day 3 | September 27: Paris - Lisieux - Paris
Today, after breakfast, we will travel to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times." Her extraordinary love for God and service to hu-manity comes alive as you visit the Basilica of Saint Therese, one of the biggest and most magnificent religious structures built in the 20th-century. While in Lisieux, we will stop at Les Buissonets, St. Therese's family home, there on display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the "little flower" Before leaving, tour the ancient Cathedral of St. Peter and the Carmelite Convent. After lunch on our own, We continue with a visit to the enormously impressive American cemetery at Omaha Beach; the final resting place of over 9,387 Americans, most of whom were killed during the invasion and successive military operations during WWII. We return to our hotel in Paris for dinner & overnight.
Day 4 | September 28: Paris - Nevers - Ars Sur Fromans
Today we will enjoy breakfast before departing for Nevers by way of the picturesque Loire Valley. Nevers is the site of where St. Bernadette lived for twelve years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. The Saint suffered from a number of illnesses such as asthma, tuberculosis of the lungs, and a tubercular tumor in her right knee. For this reason, St. Bernadette received “The Last Sacraments” three times and eventually passed away in 1879, at the age of thirty-five. We will also visit St. Gildard Convent, the site of where St. Bernadette’s incorrupt body rests. While there, you will pray and reflect upon the life of the beloved Saint. We continue to Ars Sur Fromans for dinner and overnight.
Day 5| September 29: Ars Sur Fromans - La Salette
This morning after breakfast we will tour pretty little town of Ars, best known for St. Jean-Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests. There are several sights of special importance such as: Church (Église), a 12th-century Church where the saint preached; Basilica (Basilique), a newer Basilica built next to the Church that displays the saint's incorrupt body; Heart Chapel, which contains the saint's heart; Home of St. John Vianney preserved the way he left it; Underground Church constructed for pilgrim groups; La Providence, an orphanage founded by St. John Vianney. We continue to La Salette for dinner and overnight.
Day 6-7 | September 30-October 1: La Salette
During these days breakfast will be served at your hotel. We will have the opportunity to visit the homes of the visionaries Maximim and Melanie. There will also be a candlelight procession. One of these evenings we will have a celebration dinner at a famous Napolean landmark while the other dinner will be served at our hotel. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 8 | October 2: La Salette - Avignon
Today we will depart La Salette and continue onto to Avignon. The Popes' Palace is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe (15,000 square meters of floor space, which is the equivalent of 4 Gothic Cathedrals). See over 20 rooms, scenes of historic events, in particular the popes' private chambers and the frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovan-netti. The Pont d'Avignon (Pont St Benezet) was the first construction over the Rhone river, between Lyon and the Mediterranean sea in the 12th century. The bridge had 22 arches and covered approximately 900 meters linking Villeneuve les Avignon to Avignon. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king did not want to pay for restoring the bridge. To-day, the bridge has 4 arches, and is still so famous for the French song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon". Dinner & overnight Avignon.
Day 9 | October 3: Avignon - Lourdes
This morning we depart Avignon by way of the Mediterranean coast across from the spectacular Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled in the mountains stands picturesque Lourdes, the birth-place of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. We arrive in time for dinner at our hotel before retiring to our rooms for a restful night's sleep.
Day 10-11 | October 4-5: Lourdes
You will wake up in a small town that is nestled within the Pyrenees Mountains. During your time in Lourdes, you will pray and meditate in this important site of Our Lady’s apparitions. Our Lady first appeared to Bernadette in 1858, and announced herself as “The Immaculate Conception”, near the Grotto of Massabielle. At the first two apparitions, little Bernadette prayed the Rosary with Our Lady and left without any exchange of words. During the following apparitions, Our Lady emphasized God’s love for us, penance and the necessity of performing acts of penance for sinners. Throughout your time in Lourdes, you will have the opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto of where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette; watch a video presentation that explains, in detail, the story of Lourdes; drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many; and submerge yourself in the healing baths. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to experience Christ’s unconditional love as you meditate upon the “life size” Stations of the Cross that overlook the Grotto of Massabielle. Also, while in Lourdes, you will walk in and meditate upon the footsteps of St. Bernadette. After lunch on your own, the group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette; and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverish family lived. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. You will have an opportunity to attend the Blessed Sacrament Procession before your restful overnight.
Day 12 | October 6: Depart Lourdes - Return USA
After breakfast, we transfer to either Pau or Toulouse Airport for our return flights home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, memories, blessings and graces will last a lifetime.
DATES
SELECT AIRPORT
REGISTER
Private Room Options: † Single Supplement / Solo Traveler: $699 † Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (one-way): $1,750 † Business Class Trans-Atlantic Upgrade (Round-Trip): $3,500 † First Class: available upon request † Children Discount (under 12): available upon request
*Single Supplement option will be available to you after you press the button above.
About Lourdes:
She came for you and for everyone of us! 6 million pilgrims come to Lourdes each year and 10,000 visit this site daily. At the foot of the Pyrenees mountains in southwestern France, nestled between the spectacular mountain river, Gave de Pau, is Lourdes, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the World. Lourdes is the birthplace of St Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858 near the Grotto of Massabielle. Our pilgrimage and tour of Lourdes includes visits to the sanctuary and the Basilica of St Pius X, the world's largest underground Church. Drink from the spring that the Virgin directed Bernadette to locate at the base of the Grotto, which has flowed uninterrupted since 1858. Wash yourself in the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. Contemplate Christ's Passion as you pray the unique three-dimensional Stations of the Cross. Attend the blessing of the sick, and participate in nightly candlelight processions requested by Our Lady. Daily Mass, and Mass at the Grotto on Sunday will be followed by a video presentation telling the miraculous story of Lourdes. Visit Lourdes and experience a spiritual journey from which many have claimed healing and conversion.
About Lisieux & Paris:
Visit town of Lisieux, the home of St Therese whom Pope Pius X called "the greatest saint of modern times" Visit Paris and all its wonderful sights like Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre Coeur, see the sights as the Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, and drive through the Champs Elysees. Mass at Shrine of the Miraculous Medal.
