About the Pilgrimage

Steve and Janet have perfected this pilgrimage over many years. Our good friend Fr. Abel Ruiz will be the chaplain along with our fantastic Catholic historian and guide Teresa Torres. This pilgrimage will be during one of the most beautiful months in Europe!

Steve and Janet will lead this group every step of the way.

This trip will sell fast so make sure to get registered soon.

Don’t forget MAY IS THE MONTH OF MARY and this is an exquisite Marian pilgrimage.

This has the added benefit of being the Jubilee Year of St. James the Apostle of Our Lord in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Pilgrims dream of a chance to walk on the El Camino De Santiago, and we will briefly do so.

We will drive through the idyllic Catholic countries of Portugal, Spain and France. In addition to Fatima and Lourdes and Santiago de Compostela — we will celebrate Mass in the tiny Carmelite chapel at the convent of Sister Lucia in Coimbra, the stunning mountainside church of Bon Jesus, Burgos, Mass at Loyola and three days in Lourdes.

Our exceptional local Catholic guides: Teresa Torres is not only a great friend, but she is full of wisdom, spiritual knowledge and no one knows these sites like they do.

Fr. Abel Ruiz will be celebrating his 5th anniversary as a priest and has traveled with us before. This delightful and faithful priest will be available for daily Mass, confessions and for sharing with us every minute of the day.

The food and drinks along the route are exceptional. If you like fresh seafood, start dreaming now 🙂 We choose the finest tested and proved hotels and restaurants along the way for your comfort and delight.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure

Depart the USA with your Footprints of God Tour Manager for overnight flights to Lisbon, Portugal.

Day 2: Lisbon | Fatima

Upon arrival in Lisbon, meet our local Catholic Footprints of God Tour Guide, who will lead us through all the sights from Fatima to Lourdes. Board our private motor coach and depart for Fatima. Depending on flight arrival times, there may be time for a stop at the Church of The Holy Miracle in Santarem. Then proceed to world famous Fatima for a Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Fatima.

Day 3: Fatima

Celebrate Mass at the Chapel of Apparitions. Next, see the Hamlet of Aljustrel, where the children lived and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s appearance after the children’s return from prison. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacra (The Sacred Way) built by Hungarian refugees that culminates in the Chapel of Calvary, which overlooks all of Fatima. Visit the church where the children were baptized. The rest of day will be free for private devotions. In the evening, join pilgrims from around the world in an evening candlelight procession. Dinner on your own and overnight in Fatima.

Day 4: Fatima | Coimbra | Bom Jesus | Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast, travel to the city of Coimbra. Here we will celebrate Mass in the Carmelite cloister where Sister Lucia, one the three visionaries of Fatima, lived. Continue on to Santiago de Compostela, the destination of the important medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James. Before leaving Portugal behind, you will visit the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, Portugal’s most photographed church. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 5: Santiago de Compostela

This morning visit the beautiful cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. We will take part in the morning Pilgrim Mass when the swinging “botafumeiro” is celebrated. The “botafumeiro” is a three-foot high iron censer that is suspended by a two hundred foot rope and swung over the heads of the congregation. The relics of St. James, the Apostle, repose in the high altar. Pilgrims can follow the centuries-old tradition of climbing the stairs behind the altar to kiss the shells that rest on the golden statue of the saint. Below the statue is the crypt that contains the bones of St. James in a silver reliquary. Free time this afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 6: Santiago de Compostela | Burgos

This morning, depart Santiago, with a brief walk on the famous “Camino” pilgrim walk. Continue to Burgos, which was a major stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Burgos, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary followed by a tour of the cathedral. After, time at leisure for shopping or strolling along the “Paseo del Espolon,” a tree-lined promenade along the Rio Arlanzon that winds through Burgos, consisting of a landscaped walk with sculptures, fountains and manicured gardens. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the “gastronomic capital of Spain”. Overnight in Burgos.

Day 7: Burgos | Loyola | Lourdes

This morning depart early from Burgos to Lourdes, France through the Pyrenees Mountains, stopping enroute in Loyola, Spain, the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits. Visit the 17th century basilica dedicated to St. Ignatius and his family home, located behind the basilica. Celebrate Mass in the room where Ignatius experienced his conversion at age 30 after he was seriously wounded in the Battle of Pamplona. Proceed to Lourdes and, upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Tonight, join pilgrims from around the world in the candlelight procession. Dinner on your own and overnight in Lourdes.

Day 8: Lourdes

Celebrate Mass at the Grotto. After, take a guided tour of Lourdes. Visit the Sanctuary, the Basilica of St. Pius X and the baths where hundreds of miraculous cures have taken place. See a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes. Free time is provided for private devotions and the candlelight procession this evening. Dinner on your own and overnight in Lourdes.

Day 9: Lourdes

Celebrate Mass, then, walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born and the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. Pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths. Walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience of the request of the Immaculate Conception. Attend the blessing of the sick and participate in the nightly candlelight procession requested by Our Lady. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening to celebrate the spiritual journey just completed. Overnight in Lourdes.

Day 10: Departure for USA

Very early departure to Toulouse, France for your flights back to the USA.