Warriors of France with Bishop Joseph L. Coffey, Alexis Walkenstein, & Jaymie Stuart Wolfe

Depart on an overnight flight to Paris from JFK airport. Add-on flights from most domestic airports are available upon request. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the plane. Group air does not allow specific seat requests. Please book land only package with us if airplane seat location is a concern.

Select International’s English-speaking Tour Manager greets us upon arrival at the airport. We board the bus for a drive to Lisieux, the home of St. Therese the Little Flower. We visit the Basilica, celebrate Mass and explore the places related to the life of St. Therese. Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity come alive as we visit the Cathedral of St. Peter and Les Buissonnets, her family home. On display are relics, clothing, and personal objects belonging to the Little Flower. View the statue depicting the Virgin Mary, who smiled at St. Therese during an ecstasy before curing her illness. Combine your prayers in the Carmel Chapel with those of the Carmelite sisters, just as St. Therese did before she died in 1897. Settle into our hotel for a well-deserved night of rest. Overnight in Lisieux.

The fifty-four miles of Atlantic stretching from Utah Beach in the west to Sword Beach in the east contain WWII museums, monuments, cemeteries, and battle remains left in tribute to the courage of the British, Canadian, and American armies that successfully carried out the largest military operation in history: D-Day. On these serene beaches, at dawn on June 6, 1944, the Allies finally gained a foothold in France; from this moment, Nazi Europe was destined to crumble. This morning we drive through beautiful Normandy scenery toward Omaha Beach, where we visit the American Memorial and Cemetery. We celebrate Mass and remember our brave, fallen soldiers. Time permitting, we stop for a coffee break in the charming coastal town of Honfleur. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

We depart early this morning, driving through the beautiful French countryside towards Mont Saint Michel. For more than a thousand years, the distant silhouette of this island abbey has sent pilgrims’ spirits soaring, today it does the same for us. Mont St. Michel, one of the top pilgrimage sites of Christendom through the ages, floats like a mirage on the horizon and is considered one of the world’s wonders. Behold the magnificent Abbey and embark on an exploration of the island. Mass will be celebrated. Return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

The day is devoted to visiting Rouen and following in the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc. We visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and see the exhibit depicting her historic trail. Our walking tour takes us to the Church of St. Joan of Arc, located on the site where she was burnt alive. We celebrate Mass in this sacred spot. Enjoy time at leisure to walk around the charming city on your own before we continue to Paris for an overnight. Dinner is at leisure tonight to explore some of the many charming Parisian eateries.

We start our day with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, where we will view the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure and celebrate Mass. The Saint’s guardian angel led her to the Chapel where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her. During apparitions, Our Lady repeatedly instructed the making and purpose of the Miraculous Medal. According to the Blessed Virgin Mary, those who wear the Miraculous Medal will receive special protection and abundant graces. After the visit, we will walk to Saint Vincent de Paul Church to venerate the saint’s relics. Our panoramic

Today we visit the Church of St. Denis and St. Genevieve as well as St. Chapelle to see the magnificent stained glass windows. We then visit the magnificent Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica), where we celebrate Mass. Tonight, we enjoy the sights of Paris from the river, marvel at the beautifully lit-up city, and see the light show at the Eiffel Tower from the upper deck of the ship or the lounge. Overnight in Paris. (B. Seine River cruise with dinner and wine)

Early this morning we depart Paris, driving through the romantic French countryside dotted with villages and vineyards to Tours. Celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Pierre, visit the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien and the Oratory of the Holy Face. Dinner and overnight in Tours.

We travel to Rocamadour, a small cliff-top village in south-central France. The town was the home of the Christian hermit, Zaccheus of Jericho. Zaccheus was the husband of St. Veronica, the woman who wiped Jesus’ face as He climbed to Calvary. During your time at this sacred destination, you will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, a place of miraculous conversion. Consisting of numerous religious structures and chapels centered on a statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of Zaccheus. We celebrate Mass and have an overnight stay in this place of miraculous healing. Overnight Rocamadour.

After breakfast, we depart for Lourdes. Upon arrival in the great pilgrimage center, we check into our hotel and walk a short distance to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes to see a video presentation of the history of the Apparitions in Lourdes. We celebrate Mass at the Grotto and join the pilgrims from all over the world for the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

We have two full days in Lourdes. We celebrate Mass at the Basilica and visit the site of the apparition of the Blessed Mother, who called herself “The Immaculate Conception,” near the Grotto of Massabielle. Watch a video presentation depicting the story of Lourdes. Wash your hands and drink from the miraculous well. Be submerged in the healing waters of the miraculous spring. 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. In Lourdes, you will walk in the footsteps of St. Bernadette. Your group will have the opportunity to see Boly Mill, the birthplace of St. Bernadette, and the “Cachot,” an abandoned prison where Bernadette’s impoverished family lived. You can attend the candlelight procession each evening following dinner and pray the Rosary before a restful overnight. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

We drive to Toulouse airport early this morning for our flight back to the United States.