Marian Shrines Pilgrimage – Under the Spiritual Direction of Fr. Andrew Heintz

Your pilgrimage begins today as you depart on your flight to Barcelona.

Upon arrival in Barcelona, we are greeted by our Terra Sancta Travel Center Representative and transfer into the capital of Catalonia and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Barcelona (Dinner)

This morning, we will visit the most famous Holy family church, La Sagrada Familia. La Sagrada Familia is an unfinished Catholic Basilica in Barcelona designed by the celebrated Art Nouveau architect Antoni Gaudi. We enjoy a full guided tour of the Basilica before we celebrate Mass. We will then continue to Park Guell before we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Barcelona (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we visit Sacred Heart Cathedral and take a tour before celebrating Mass. We then have the afternoon free in Las Ramblas.

Overnight: Barcelona (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, we will travel outside of Barcelona to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat, the spiritual heart of Catalonia and home to a dramatically set Benedictine monastery. For 700 years this Marian shrine has attracted thousands of pilgrims from around the world. We pause here to visit the Black Madonna of Montserrat, probably Spain’s most fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother. We continue to Andorra La Vella for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Andorra La Vella (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning in Andorra La Vella we view Romanesque churches and stone houses in the city’s quarter, along with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Meritxell. Continue to Lourdes, where we will check into our hotel.

Overnight: Lourdes (Breakfast, Dinner)

This day, we start with mass at the Grotto of Massabielle, where our Lady appeared to Bernadette in 1858. Later we take our official group photo in front of the Basilica, followed by our guided tour of Lourdes. The sanctuary of the Basilica of St. PiusX, the world’s largest underground church. The Basilica, The Baths, where thousands of miraculous cures have taken place is the most respected shrine and sanctuary in France.

Overnight: Lourdes (Breakfast, Dinner)

Pyrenees Mountains, Basilica of Loyola: This morning we depart Lourdes and drive through the Pyrenees Mountains of Loyola, the hometown of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Here you will visit the Basilica and the tower house where he was born and lived. We continue to Santander for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Santander (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cathedral of Oviedo, Tomb of Asturian Kings, Camara Santa: Depart Santander this morning and drive to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias region. Here we will visit the Cathedral which houses the tombs of Asturian kings and the Camara Santa, a restored 9th century chapel containing expressive statues of Christ and the Apostles. We then head to Santiago de Compostela for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela (Breakfast, Dinner)

Santiago De Compostela Cathedral, Crypt of St. James, City Tour: This morning we begin our visit of Santiago de Compostela, one of the most famous shrines in the world, where the tomb of St. James (brother of St. John the Divine) was discovered. St. James was given the task of spreading Christianity in the distant Hispanic lands and is known as the first pilgrim. Since the discovery of the tomb, numerous miracles have taken place here and every year thousands of faithful gather on July 25 to celebrate the Feast Day. We begin with a visit to the Cathedral of St. James, one of the finest examples of 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’ and admire the wealth of medieval art inside the Cathedral, before visiting the cloister museum. Enjoy a stroll on own, though the beautiful streets of Santiago de Compostela, the city of the apostle, full of historical buildings and others. Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Optional Morning Walking Tour: This morning we set out to join the walking pilgrims at the Monte del Gozo from which the spires of the Cathedral are first visible. We will walk the last couple of miles of El Camino arriving at the Cathedral of St. James, the destination we have been yearning to reach. Continue to the Cloister Museum with our group.

Overnight: Santiago de Compostela (Breakfast, Dinner)

Church of St. Francis: Today we depart Santiago de Compostela and continue to Porto to see the wine factory and enjoy sampling the best wine. We visit the church of St. Francis before driving to Fatima for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Fatima (Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, we visit Fatima, where Our Blessed Mother visited three shepherd children, Lucia Santos and her cousins Bl. Jacinta & Bl. Francisco Marto in 1917. We participate in the Rosary & Candlelight Procession.

Overnight: Fatima (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today is dedicated to religious activities in Fatima on your own. In the evening we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Fatima (Breakfast, Dinner)

Today we bid Portugal farewell and board our flights home, carrying with us memories that will last a lifetime.