Journal

About the Pilgrimage

This is likely our last time to lead a group through Lourdes and Fatima and the trip is now sold out.

Starting in 2027 Janet and I are going to cut back on the number of pilgrimages we do. We will primarily focus on the Holy Land, with 4-5 trips a year.

Join us for Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions to the three little shepherd children in Portugal. Then to the Way of St. James and Santiago de Compostela, Loyola and Lourdes — with a lot in between. Enjoy the food, culture, churches and shrines through Portugal, Spain and France.

We have the best enthusiastic local Catholic guides along with Steve & Janet Ray who will be with you every step of the way. The best hotels await you, the finest cuisine will be set before you. Prayers along the way, Mass each day at the most sacred sites as we are all immersed in some of the most visited Marian shrines in the world.

ABOVE: Evening processions at both Fatima and Lourdes…

Fatima, Lourdes, the tomb of the Apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela where the El Camino pilgrimage concludes, the Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem, Loyola with Mass where St. Ignatius gave his life to God and much more.

For on-line registration, see the brochure or click HERE.

ABOVE: EWTN interview with Fr. Apostoli about his Ignatius Press book “Fatima for Today”

BELOW: Farewells and comments from a previous pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago and Lourdes. To see the whole trip with many videos and commentary, click here.

 

WATCH VIDEO OF OUR LAST PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA AND LOURDES – AT THE END OF COVID

DAILY ITINERARY THROUGH PORTUGAL, SPAIN AND FRANCE

Day 1: Tuesday, Sept 1, 2026 • Departure

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

Day 2: Wednesday, Sept 2, 2026 • 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: Thursday, Sept 3, 2026 • 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: Friday, Sept 4, 2026 • 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: Saturday, Sept 5, 2026 • 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: Sunday, Sept 6, 2026 • 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: Monday, Sept 7, 2026 • 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: Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026 • 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: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 • 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 wash your face and hands 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: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 • Departure for USA

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

*Itinerary is tentative and subject to change; specified masses pending confirmation