PILGRIMAGE TO SHRINES OF FRANCE

Transcription

1 PILGRIMAGE TO SHRINES OF FRANCE WITH FR. PETER SABBATH THU. MAY 30 TUE. JUNE 11, DAYS $3, PLUS AIR TAXES $ Lourdes Toulouse Rocamadour Ars Paray-le-Monial Nevers Orleans Chartres Evron Mont Saint Michel Lisieux Paris Your 14 Day Itinerary Day 1 Thu. May 30 Depart Montreal We meet at Montreal Airport for departure to France. Enjoy complimentary meals and beverage service during our overnight flight. Day 2 Fri. May 31 Lourdes Upon arrival in Paris, board the connecting flight to Pau airport. In Pau, we are met by our local tour guide and who will escort the group to the waiting coach. Enjoy a scenic transfer towards Lourdes, our home for the next 2 nights. En route, we ll stop at the Sanctuary of Betharram, where for seven or eight centuries, the Virgin has been venerated. Bernadette Soubirous often came to Betharram. She was here just days before the apparitions. The rosary that she brought to the Grotto came from the sanctuary of Betharram. We ll have Holy Mass here before continuing on to Lourdes, a short drive away. Once settled in our hotel, take some time to explore. For the remainder of this day, you may join your prayers with pilgrims from around the world as you kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Massabielle Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette Soubirous 18 times. (D) Overnight Lourdes Hotel Helgon (or similar) - 2 nights Day 3 Sat. June 01 Lourdes Today, in Lourdes, we ll have an opportunity to pray and heal with our fellow pilgrims. We ll attend Mass at the Grotto, see a video presentation telling the story of Lourdes and walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette. Visit Boly Mill where she was born and the Cachot, an abandoned prison where Bernadette s impoverished family lived. Drink water from the miraculous spring, submerge yourself into the healing waters of the baths, walk the life sized Stations of the Cross overlooking the holy Grotto, and enjoy personal time to pray and reflect. Before dinner, there is a Rosary at the grotto followed by the Blessed Sacrament Procession. Each evening, you may wish to participate in the Candlelight Procession. (B, D)

2 Day 4 Sun. June 02 Lourdes / Toulouse / Rocamadour After an early breakfast, we leave Lourdes and make our way to Toulouse, full of religious and historical treasures. Visit the Basilica of St. Sernin, named after the first bishop of Toulouse, Sernin, who was sent there by the Pope as a missionary. The pagan population decided to kill him by dragging him through the streets tied to a bull. The crypt contains his relics and those of many other saints. It is considered to be one of the finest Romanesque churches in France. We will go to the Eglise de Jacobins (The Church of the Jacobins), built in the 1200 s and home to the Dominican monks called Jacobins. Here we find the tomb of Saint Thomas Aquinas, considered one of the greatest theologians and thinkers of the Middle Ages. From Toulouse, we continue to Rocamadour, located approximately 100 miles away. It owes its origin to St. Amador, who chose this area for his devotion to Our Lady. St. Amador is said to be Zacchaeus of the gospel, husband to St. Veronica, who wiped the face of Our Saviour as He carried the cross to Calvary. On arrival, we will go directly to the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, containing a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary and the tomb of an ancient saint. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Alzou valley, Rocamadour attracts many people to this sanctuary every year. We will stop here for the night. (B, D) Overnight Rocamadour Hotel Best Western Beau Site Notre Dame (or similar) - 1 night Day 5 Mon. June 03 Rocamadour / Paray Le Monial Today, we will be in Paray-le-Monial where Jesus exposed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during a number of apparitions. We will visit the Chapel of the Visitation that contains the Reliquary of St. Margaret containing her relics under a wax figure of the saint. Dinner and overnight in Paray-le- Monial. (B, D) Overnight Paray-le-Monial Hotel Basilique (or similar) 2 nights Day 6 Tue. June 04 Paray Le Monial / Ars / Paray Le Monial After breakfast, we drive to Ars, famous through the holy life and labors of St. John Vianney, its beloved Curé. The story of John Vianney emphasizes how God used a poor and simple man who was considered only marginally fit to be a priest and became a saint. Visit the Basilica of Ars where you can observe his preserved body in a glass reliquary. We have Mass in Ars followed by a lunch stop, before returning to Paray le Monial. (B, D) Day 7 Wed. June 05 Paray Le Monial / Nevers / Orleans / Chartres Today, we continue to Nevers, through the picturesque French countryside. We ll visit the Bernadette Soubirous Centre, entirely dedicated to this venerable Saint who took the veil in 1867, at the age of 23 years and who spent the rest of her life totally devoted to God. She lived for 12 years as a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Nevers. During her short life, Bernadette received the Sacrament of healing of the sick (last rites) at least 3 times. She suffered from asthma, and other illnesses, among them tuberculosis of the lungs and a tumor in her right knee. Saint Bernadette eventually died at 35. We have Holy Mass at the Chapel where her remains lie in a crystal reliquary, followed with a guided walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette and visit the key places associated with her life in Nevers. After a break for lunch, we continue to Orleans, an important town on the Loire River, and the site of largest battle against the English lead by St. Joan of Arc. Our visit of Orleans starts with the Hotel Grolot, former city hall which is now a sort of museum, with period furniture and memorabilia of Joan of Arc. We stop at the Hotel Jacques Boucher where she where lived in 1429 and now serves as a museum dedicated to her. Our last two visits will be to the Cathedral of Ste Croix and finally the Statue of Joan of Arc on the Square d Orleans. We ll finish this day in Chartres for dinner and overnight. (B, D) Overnight Chartres Hotel Ibis Chartres Centre Cathedral (or similar) 1 night

3 Day 8 Thu. June 06 Chartres / Evron / Mont Saint-Michel We begin our day with a visit to the magnificent 13 th c. Chartres Cathedral, that contains one of Christianity s most sacred relic, the Sancta Casmisia, the Holy Veil of the Blessed Mother. Tradition says that this is the veil actually worn by Mary when she gave birth to our Lord. We then proceed to Evron, where we visit The Community of Saint Martin. Our goal is to attend Holy Mass, richly filled with the sound of Gregorian chants. After dinner here, we will continue to our final stop of Mont Saint-Michel for overnight. (B, D) Overnight Mont Saint-Michel Hotel Les Terraces Poulard (or similar) - 2 nights Day 9 Fri. June 07 Mont Saint-Michel Today, we are at Mont Saint Michel for a guided visit of this unique UNESCO World Heritage site. The rich history of Le Mont Saint Michel dates back as far as 708 A.D. This site was one of the most notable places of pilgrimage of medieval times. Holy Mass today will be at the Abbey. We ll finish our day here with some free time to explore before dinner. (B, D) Day 10 Sat. June 08 Mont Saint-Michel / Lisieux / Paris This morning, we continue our journey, proceeding to Lisieux, where we visit the sites associate with St. Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus. We start at Les Buissonnets, the family home, then to the Basilica, the Carmelite Convent Chapel, the Reliquary of St. Therese, and the Statue of the Virgin Mary that smiled at St Therese. Here we ll celebrate Holy Mass. After a stop for lunch, we proceed to Paris city of lights for dinner and our final nights. (B, D) Overnight Paris Hotel Magenta (or similar) - 3 nights Day 11 Sun. June 09 Paris After breakfast, we will begin our guided tour of Paris. We will have private Holy Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, followed by a visit the incorrupt body of Saint Catherine Labouret. At an early age she entered the community of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, in Paris, France. Three times in 1830 the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Labouret, who then was a twenty-four year old novice. She was a Marian visionary who relayed the request from the Blessed Virgin Mary to create the Miraculous Medal worn by millions of Christians. Very nearby, is the St. Vincent de Paul Shrine. After a break for lunch, we continue with a visit of Notre Dame Cathedral, seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris; The Sainte Chapel, built in the 12 th century upon the order of King Saint Louis to house Christ s Crown of Thorns, now housed at Notre Dame; the Basilica of Sacré Coeur, on Montmartre, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During our sightseeing tour, we will see the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysée, the Eiffel tower, and more. (B, D) Day 12 Mon. June 10 Paris Today, we have a free day to explore, shop, or enjoy one of the sidewalk cafes. You may wish to participate in an evening cruise along the Seine River after dinner (at additional cost). Dinner and overnight in Paris. (B, D) Day 13 Tue. June 11 Return to Canada After breakfast, we make our way to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for our flight back to Canada. (B) It is our intention to operate all tours as described in the itineraries. Local operational situations occasionally force changes to be made and we reserve the right to do so.

4 Cost of Pilgrimage 9 Days including travel days $3, per person - Base on double occupancy $1, Single Supplement Includes: Round Trip Economy Air Fare 11 nights accommodation in superior hotels 11 Buffet Breakfasts and Dinners at hotels Transportation by modern air-conditioned motor coach Sightseeing as per itinerary Local English speaking guide Admission fees to included sites visited Daily Mass at unforgettable locations Spiritual Leader Fr. Peter Sabbath, Pastor, St. Thomas a Becket Church, Montreal Escorted from Montreal Not included: Airport Taxes (approx.. $650.00) Gratuities (approx. $ pp), insurance, meals not specified, drinks other than coffee/tea at breakfast Reservations, deposits and payment: A deposit of $ plus optional Travel Insurance Premium is due at the time of booking. A copy of the information page of your current passport must accompany this completed form. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure (Fri. March 01, 2019) A 3% service fee will apply when payment is made by credit card. If a booking is made 90 days or less prior to departure full payment is due. Reservations received after this date are subject to availability and currency fluctuations. We recommend strongly that you purchase cancellation insurance Please call for your personal insurance quote. Liz Dachuk - Connaissance Travel and Tours Ext 239 / Toll free Ext lizdachuk@connaissancetravel.com

5 Important Reservation Information Reservations Both pages of the Registration form appropriately signed to indicate your acceptance of the Terms and conditions, and your non-refundable deposit of $ is due at the time of booking. The deposit is required to reserve your place with hotels, airlines, etc. The final payment must be received 90 days before the departure. Late reservations must be accompanied by full payment. Communications All documents will be sent by . Please provide your address as this will be our main mode of communications. Prices and Taxes The prices quoted are per person in Canadian Dollars. Unless indicated otherwise, rates do not include air taxes imposed by the carrier, tips, beverages except coffee and tea during breakfast service, travel insurance, fuel surcharge, border taxes and visa fees if applicable. Gratuities will be collected prior to the departure or upon arrival to the destination to our representative. Gratuities are considered mandatory and will be distributed to your service providers, i.e. guide, coach driver and hotels. You will be informed after final payment date and before departure what the expected amount will be. Payment Our preferred form of payment is by cheque. Payment by credit card and will incur an service of 3% (Visa or MasterCard). Air Travel Deviations or Extensions If you wish to deviate from the group travel arrangements or if you wish to extend your trip, this must be specified in writing, at the time of your reservation. All requests are subject to airline regulations and availability. Your acceptance of the new arrangements must be done in writing by or fax, and once accepted, the changes will be confirmed and any additional changes will be subject to fees. Some changes may require immediate nonrefundable payment (i.e. airline upgrades). Connaissance Travel cannot be held responsible for any delay or flight changes incurred by the airline. All group travel is offered in discounted economy class and as such, advance seating assignments are not available. Your preference may be requested and will be assigned at check in based on availability. Please advise your air mileage account at the time of reservation. Although we make every effort to apply the appropriate frequent flyer number to your reservation when it is provided to our office, we recommend that you show your card to the check in agent on departure day. We cannot guarantee that the points will be posted to your account otherwise. Dietary Restrictions Dietary restrictions and special meals during air travel must be requested at the time of your reservation. This information will be provided to the proper personnel. Please note that not all dietary requests can be accommodated, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter. Itinerary Changes We reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the itinerary when necessary for the comfort and well-being of the group. While we strive to operate the program as described in the promotional materials, changes to the itinerary, accommodations, services or order of the visits may be required due to local circumstances. Responsibility of the Participant It is important to note that the amount of walking many of our pilgrimages can be significant and the terrain may vary greatly. You may encounter hills, mountains, unpaved streets, cobblestone streets, etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that this tour suits your abilities. Those requiring extra assistance must be accompanied by a travelling companion that can administer this assistance. Also, note that some activities may not be suitable for your individual circumstance and any unused services will not be refundable. If you are not accustomed to physical activity, we recommend that you begin walking "briskly" 1-2 times a day; build up to 2-3 miles with no discomfort.

6 Connaissance Travel Terms and Conditions Cancellations & refunds: All cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation will be effective upon receipt of official confirmation of reservation. Cancellation Penalties as follows: Cancellations prior to final payment date, $ administrative fee plus Travel Insurance Premium will be retained days prior to departure 50% of the total price plus Travel Insurance Premium will be retained days prior to departure 75% of total price plus Travel Insurance Premium will be retained days prior to departure 100% of total price plus Travel Insurance Premium will be retained. Refunds for unused accommodation and services are limited to the amounts returned by carriers, sightseeing operators and hotels. No refund or adjustment can be made for any portion of journey not used. Connaissance Travel and Tours reserves the right to cancel a tour if the minimum number of participants is not reached by the deadline. In case of cancellation by Connaissance Travel and Tours, the full amount paid will be reimbursed and this will represent the final settlement. Good Value and Expectations: The Ministry of Consumer Relations requires that Ontarians traveling abroad be advised that they may encounter different living standards and practices than those at home. Insurance: We strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance to protect you in the event of trip cancellation, protection to your baggage and to cover you against personal accidents, sickness, injury, and medical expenses or bereavement. Please call us for your quote. The insurance premium is non-refundable. It is the client s responsibility to understand the conditions, policies, and exclusions of their insurance policy. Flight Times: All flight times are subject to change with or without notice to the traveller. Connaissance Travel and Tours does not accept liability for missed connections or any expenses resulting from an off-schedule, reschedule or late flight. Flight Connections: Included air is from and returning to the stated Gateway only. In the event of a change in the flights, with or without notice, we cannot accept responsibility for any special connecting fares which you might purchase, not included in the journey itinerary and cannot be changed without penalty. Air Deviations: If you change the group air itinerary to accommodate your situation, and to retain the quoted fare for the deviation, you must reserve and pay at the time of quotation. Please note that a name change is not allowed and will be treated as a cancellation. No Air Reservations: Most journeys may be purchased as land only. The air credit is inclusive of the ground transportation credit and guests are fully responsible to make their own arrangements to meet the group at the first night s hotel. Connaissance Travel and Tours will not be responsible for guests arriving late due to delayed flights or for covering missed journey days, missed accommodation costs, extra costs as a result of any delay, or for costs incurred due to the changes in the Connaissance start/end dates and or location. It is recommended that you purchase tickets without restrictions. Travel Documentation: A valid Canadian passport, with a validity of 6 months after your return home, is required for all visits outside Canada. It is the sole responsibility of the traveller to ensure proper and valid documentation. Failure to provide valid documentation may result in denied boarding of the aircraft and cancellation of your flight arrangements without refund. If you are holding a passport other than Canada, please advise us and we will determine if a visa is required for entry into the country/countries you will be visiting. Baggage Allowance: One piece of checked luggage and one carry-on bag weighing not more than 10lbs is allowed. Your final documents will indicate the specific regulations of the airline that we will be using. Liability: Connaissance Travel and Tours has made the advertised arrangements with various suppliers. Although Connaissance Travel and Tours takes great care in selecting these suppliers, the company accepts no responsibility for Acts of Omissions or Errors by our suppliers or employees. The Company reserves the right to refuse any person as a group member at its own discretion. The Company reserves the right to cancel any or all departures with or without prior notice.