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Pastor of St. Patrick Church, Columbus OH
Our pilgrimage to Rome, Lourdes and Fatima with Patrick & Nancy Madrid begins as we board our flight to Rome today.
Upon arrival in Rome, we will gather our bags, board our bus, and transfer to our hotel for check in. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner for our pilgrimage. Overnight in Rome.
Today is dedicated to the Major Basilicas. We will start at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and visit the burial site of St. Paul. Next, we’re off to the Church of St. Mary Major where pilgrims can view what is said to be the wood relics of the Holy Crib of the Nativity of Jesus. After lunch, we visit the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the “Mother of all Churches in the World,” and the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Here, we will celebrate Mass and have the opportunity to climb the Lateran Steps. Lastly, we’ll visit the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to see the relics of the Holy Cross which St. Helena brought from the Holy Land to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome. Today we will have the opportunity to walk through the Holy Doors of each of the three basilicas. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
You will have the choice (at no extra cost) to participate in either of the day trips listed below:
After breakfast, we will embark on a historic tour of Ancient Rome. We will stroll along Cobblestone streets, lined with majestic stone pines, and visit the Colosseum, a grand amphitheater of the ancient world. Along the way we’ll stop for prayer at the Basilica of Saint Clement. Passing by the Roman Forum, we will witness the ruins of ancient government buildings. We’ll finish the day visiting the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, a resting place of several popes from the 2nd to 4th centuries. Optional walking tour of the Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps this evening. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will board a train out of Rome and head southeast to Foggia, then drive by motorcoach to San Govanni Rotondo. Upon arrival we will visit Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, the hospital founded by Padre Pio. Following this, we will return to Santa Maria delle Grazie to see the church and confessional where Padre Pio spent countless hours hearing confessions, a testament to his dedication to the sacrament. It is believed that he could read souls, and pilgrims have traditionally left small notes with their intentions near his confessional. At this shrine, we will also view the incorrupt body of St. Padre Pio and explore his living quarters. Dinner and overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
In the morning we will transfer back to Rome via train and connect with the rest of the group. Please note, pilgrims attending this day trip will forgo the Wednesday Papal audience in the morning, but will reconnect with the rest of the group after lunch at the Vatican Museum.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience at 9 a.m., led by His Holiness, Pope Francis (subject to his schedule). Pilgrims are encouraged to bring medals, rosaries, and other religious items for a blessing. The pope delivers a speech, followed by prayers and a homily, and concludes with a blessing. After lunch, we will tour the Vatican Museum, exploring the Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. Our day ends at St. Peter’s Basilica, where we view Michelangelo’s Pieta and the tomb of St. Pope John Paul II, and walk through the basilica, finishing at the Tomb of St. Peter. Today we will also walk through the Holy Door of St. Peters, which symbolizes passing into the presence of God by way of our Lord Jesus, who called himself the “gate.” Those who pass through a Holy Door can also receive a plenary indulgence. We then attend Mass at a nearby church. Dinner and overnight stay in Rome.
This morning we will head to Rome Fiumicino Airport and board our flight to Toulouse, France. Afternoon arrival into Toulouse, we will collect our bags then drive to Lourdes and visit the Grotto of Massabielle where the healing waters flow. We will take part in an evening candlelight procession in honor of Our Blessed Mother. Dinner. Overnight in Lourdes.
Today our spiritual director will celebrate Mass for us at the grotto. After Mass, we will have a guided tour of St. Bernadette’s home, the basilica, the Basilica of St. Pius X, and her environs that will give us a deeper understanding of St. Bernadette’s life and her relationship with Mary, the Immaculate. This afternoon we will have leisure time around the premises at Lourdes to walk, attend adoration, or shop. We will gather this evening for a Eucharistic Procession. Dinner. Overnight in Lourdes.
This morning we will drive to Toulouse and board our flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Upon arrival in Lisbon we’ll visit the birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua in Lisbon and further north we’ll visit St. Stephen’s Church in Santarem and adore the miracle of the “Bleeding Host.” Afternoon arrival into Fátima. Tonight, we’ll all head to the shrine for the candlelight procession. Overnight in Fatima.
We enjoy Mass this morning at the Capelinha built over the holm oak tree where Our Lady appeared five times to the three shepherd children Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco. We’ll tour the basilica and shrine. This afternoon, we’ll visit Aljustrel where the angel of Portugal appeared, and Valinhos where Our Lady appeared in August of 1917. Tonight we will all head to the shrine for the candlelight procession. Dinner and an overnight stay in Fátima, Portugal.
With a renewed sense of pilgrimage, and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we transfer to the Lisbon Airport and board our return flight(s) home.
