Why Catholic: In the Path of French Saints with Justin Hibbard and Fr. Kenneth Parsad

We depart from Newark on an overnight flight to Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served on the flight. Add-on flights, quotes for optional premium economy, and business class are available upon request. We work with group flights that do not permit airplane seat selection. If seat location is an important feature of the trip, please book land only with us and air on your own, which will enable you to request a specific airline seat.

We arrive in Paris, France, where we are greeted by our English-speaking tour manager, who will be with us for the entire trip. We board our motorcoach for a two-hour bus ride to Lisieux. Upon arrival, we visit the home of St. Therese the Little Flower. We visit the Carmel Convent, where we celebrate Mass, and Les Buisonnets, the humble dwelling of the Saint. We see the magnificent Basilica of St. Therese and the Crypt. We check into our hotel, have dinner, and overnight at the hotel in Lisieux.

We drive through the beautiful French countryside toward the Normandy Beaches. The 54 miles of Atlantic stretching from Utah Beach in the west to Sword Beach in the east are littered with 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 the crack of dawn on June 6, 1944, the Allies finally gained a foothold in France; from this moment, Nazi Europe was destined to crumble. We will see the American Memorial and Cemetery. We celebrate Mass near Omaha Beach and remember our brave, fallen soldiers. We return to Lisieux for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, the journey continues across the Normandy countryside toward one of the most spectacular landmarks in France: Mont Saint-Michel. Upon arrival, we will walk through the narrow, winding streets of the village, lined with stone houses, small shops, and centuries-old fortifications that bear witness to the island’s strategic importance throughout history. We celebrate Mass at the Abbey with the monastic community, sharing in the rhythm of prayer that continues to sanctify this unique site. Our visit continues with the ascent to the magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a masterpiece of medieval architecture dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Inside, we will discover peaceful cloisters, grand Gothic halls, and panoramic terraces offering breathtaking views over the bay. Dinner and overnight in Lisieux.

After breakfast, we drive to Paris. We stop in Rouen, where we retrace the footsteps of St. Joan of Arc. Rouen offers a restored medieval quarter and a marvelous Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame, often painted by Claude Monet. Throughout its turbulent history, the city was destroyed several times. During the Middle Ages, it was devastated by fire and the plague. The English occupied it during the Hundred Years’ War when the French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. During WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially the area south of the cathedral, but over the last six decades, the city has been meticulously rebuilt. We tour the city on foot and celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Joan of Arc. You may wish to have lunch at La Couronne, the restaurant where Julia Child had such an amazing meal that she decided to become a chef, which is located across the street from the Church of St. Joan of Arc. After lunch on our own, we continue to Paris and settle into our hotel. Dinner is at leisure tonight with the opportunity to explore Parisian cafe food. Overnight in Paris.

After breakfast, we have a city tour of Paris followed by a visit to the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris’ most beloved church. We continue on to the Montmartre section of Paris to explore the city’s Bohemian quarter and the magnificent Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart Basilica), where we celebrate Mass and have time to explore on our own. The rest of the afternoon is spent at leisure exploring the city, perhaps visiting the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, or some of the city’s magnificent and historic churches. Tonight, we will enjoy the sights of Paris from the Seine River on a dinner cruise. We will marvel at the beautiful illuminated city and see the light show at the Eiffel Tower from the upper deck of the ship or the lounge. Overnight in Paris. (B.Special dinner on the Seine River cruise)

This morning, we celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal and see the incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul in the chapel of Maison-Mere before we take the TGV train to Lourdes. Upon arrival in Lourdes, we are transferred to our hotel. Following dinner, we join pilgrims from all over the world for the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

We celebrate Mass, visit the Basilica and the Grotto, where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, and drink water from the miraculous spring that has healed many. Our 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. We pray the Stations of the Cross and attend the Blessing of the Sick in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

After breakfast, we celebrate Mass, followed by a full day of prayer and devotion. We visit the baths to be submerged in the miraculous water and do some shopping for religious gifts. In the evening, we join the Candlelight Procession. Dinner and overnight in Lourdes.

Following Mass in Lourdes, we depart for Toulouse, where Dominic of Osma founded the Dominican Order. The Jacobin Church was the heart of life and a teaching center in the 12th century, and now it is the place where St. Thomas Aquinas is buried. Standing majestically at the heart of the city, the huge Gothic structure houses the saint’s tomb and relics. We have a guided tour of the church. Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant with a choice of beer or wine. Dinner and overnight in Toulouse. (B. Special dinner)

Today, we say farewell to a country and a trip that will last in our memory forever. We are transferred to the airport for our return flight home.