Pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain, and France with Fr. Enrique Gonzalez and Deacon David Reiser

Depart Charlotte on an overnight flight to Lisbon. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Enjoy your flight as you look forward to your incredible pilgrimage journey. Quotes for add-on flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request and will be provided starting 120 days before departure. Group air restrictions (for ten passengers traveling together) do not permit specific seating requests on flights. We recommend purchasing your own airline tickets and land-only packages with us if seat confirmation is essential to your trip. Should you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact your trip Account Manager, who will be happy to assist you.

Upon arrival in Lisbon, our English-speaking tour manager greets us. We board our deluxe motor coach for a panoramic city tour of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of the most beautiful and historic European cities. Located on the River Tagus, Lisbon is full of life, color, and fascinating places. We see Belem Tower, the longest bridge in Europe, and the impressive 300-foot-high statue of Christ the King. We continue to the magnificent church marking the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua for a guided visit and where we celebrate Mass. Settle into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, which is included each morning, we depart for Santarem to celebrate Mass and venerate the Miracle of the Holy Eucharist: the bleeding Host. Continue to Fatima, where we visit the Basilica complex. Our bus will take us to the parish Church where the visionaries were baptized and other places associated with their young lives. We visit the cemetery, their homes in Aljustrel, and perhaps meet their close relatives. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Capelinha, where Our Lady appeared to the children five times. See the Chapel of Apparitions, the tombs of Blessed Jacinta and Blessed Francisco, the Adoration Chapel, and the Miraculous Fountain. We go to Valinhos, where we visit places where the Angel appeared, the Shrine where the Holy Virgin appeared in August, the outdoor Stations of the Cross erected by the Americans, and the beautiful Shrine of the Crucifixion built on the highest point by Hungarian refugees. In the late afternoon, we return to the Plaza for the Solemn Procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and we join in this evening’s Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Fatima.

We depart from Fatima to Porto, where we have a panoramic city tour and visit a local port-making facility. We enjoy a taste of the famous wine before continuing to Santiago, where we visit the Cathedral of St. James, one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in all of Europe. As pilgrims, we have the opportunity to climb the stairs behind the high altar to visit the crypt where the relics of St. James are preserved, touch the central pillar (Portico de La Gloria), view the ‘botafumeiro,’ (TBC), and admire the wealth of medieval art inside the Cathedral before visiting the cloister museum. Enjoy a stroll on your own through the beautiful streets of Santiago de Compostela, the city of the Apostle, full of historical buildings and other attractions (before or after dinner). Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Early this morning, we depart for Burgos, where we celebrate Mass at the magnificent Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Burgos.

Today, we check out of our hotel and travel through the picturesque Basque region toward Lourdes. En route, we celebrate Mass at the 17th-century Sanctuary of Loyola, built in honor of San Ignacio de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order. See its spectacular dome and main altarpiece, built in marble and jasper. Nestled in the mountains stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace 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. Overnight in Lourdes.

During the next two days in Lourdes, we have an opportunity to attend Mass at the Grotto, watch a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes, and 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. Join our prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as we pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring, or submerge ourselves in the healing baths. Experience Christ’s love as we 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 to the request of the “Immaculate Conception.” Evenings are free for optional Blessed Sacrament Procession before dinner. Our role in the universal church will have new meaning as we join the candlelight procession and group rosary. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

We depart Lourdes early today, driving through the French and the Spanish countryside to the mountain Shrine of Montserrat, where we celebrate Mass and see the Black Madonna. Continue to Barcelona for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we explore Barcelona during a city tour. The highlight of the visit is an unfinished but magnificent masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi, La Sagrada Familia, or the Church of the Holy Family. In the afternoon, we enjoy time at leisure to explore the city on our own. Mass will be celebrated. Tonight we gather for a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Barcelona. (B. Special dinner)

In the morning, after Mass (TBC), transfer to Barcelona Airport for your return flight home.