0427LH5 - Catholic France Pilgrimage 9 days from Chicago

We depart Chicago airport for our overnight flight with dinner arriving in Madrid the next day. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast while aloft.

This morning, we arrive in Madrid, change plane and continue our short flight to Toulouse. We are met by our Tour Manager and bus, and transfer to Lourdes and our simple, pilgrim’s hotel near the Shrine for our “welcome” dinner. In the evening, we join the nightly Torchlight Marian Procession.

Today is spent in devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. We celebrate Mass at the Grotto, with a morning orientation visit to the Shrine and a walking tour of Lourdes, visiting Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born, the Cachot, formerly used as a jail, where she lived during the apparitions, and the parish church. This afternoon, following a break for lunch on our own, we enjoy free time for private devotions, Eucharistic Procession, the Blessing of the Sick or the legendary, healing waters of the miraculous Lourdes spring. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. In the evening, we may once again join the nightly Torchlight Marian Procession.

This morning, following Mass at the shrine, we depart Lourdes and pass through Carcassonne, which boasts Europe's lengthiest medieval town walls. Her mighty circle of towers on a hill above the River Aude gives Carcassonne a fairy tale appearance. We enjoy lunch on our own along the way as we continue northeast to the beautiful French city of Avignon and our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Today, we visit Avignon's Palace of the Popes and other famous sites before departing on our journey to Ars-sur-Formans, known to most as simply “Ars” and as the burial place of the pious St. John (Jean-Marie) Vianney, the patron of parish priests! He was born in the small farming village of Dardilly, located nearby. We visit the Basilica of Ars and the tomb of this beloved saint, who was known to hear confessions for 8 to 9 hours a day and relied on as little as two hours of sleep before rising at 1am every morning to start his morning prayers! Though St. Vianney only had the resources for starting one school, numerous religious organizations have schools, convents, and seminaries right here in Ars, because of his example! We enjoy Mass at a chapel while here and pause for a late lunch on our own before continuing to Nevers. This afternoon, we journey north and stop at Nevers, the town associated with last 13 years in the life of St. Bernadette. We arrive in time for Dinner and overnight.

This morning, we celebrate Mass in honor of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. Our beloved saint spent the last 13 years of her life here, and we view her barely corrupt body in the Convent of St. Gildard. We view the Palais Ducal and visit the local museum. Following a break for lunch on our own, we have free time to browse the ground, prayerfully contemplate St. Bernadette’s life, or simply relax before our journey northwest to Paris. We arrive at our hotel in time for dinner and overnight.

Today, following Mass at the Miraculous Medal Shrine of St. Catherine Laboure, we tour the sites of Paris, including a visit to the most enduring symbol of the French capital, the Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité. While there, we also make a stop at the Holy Chapel believed to hold the Passion Relics, including nails and pieces of wood from the Cross of Calvary. We break for lunch on our own before continuing our city tour. As part of our tour, we pass by the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and travel down the famous Champs-Elysees. We conclude our day at our hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, following Mass nearby, we have the day at leisure to shop, explore or relax and see Paris at our own pace. Tonight, we have the opportunity to enjoy the culinary delights of Paris as our “farewell” dinner will be on our own as a group. Overnight at our hotel.

Today, we depart Paris for the USA. We arrive later today with memories of a lifetime and a greater devotion to our patron St. Bernadette!