C ATHOLIC J OURNEYS.COM Join us for an Extraordinary Journey through France, Spain and Portugal from Provence to Fatima Including 11 Days aboard the Luxurious new Silver Muse Visit the last earthly home and Shrine to St Mary Magdalen and be in Fatima during the 100 th Anniversary Year! Proposed Itinerary coordinated with Fr. Joseph Cazenavette August 16 Depart USA August 17 Aix-en-Provence Welcome Mass / Cocktail Reception / Dinner A transfer from Marseilles Airport to the Hotel is included. Please join us for Mass at 6:00 PM, followed by a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening at the Hotel Le Pigonett. Overnight: Hotel Le Pigonett***** August 18 Saint Maximin and La Sainte Baume Shrines to St. Mary Magdalene, Cotignac the Apparition Site of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, Le Thoronet Abbey The region of Provence was evangelized in the first century by the "Friends of Bethany or as we know them to be Lazarus, Martha and Mary Magdalene who, it is told, came to the south of France (Gaul) following the execution of St James in Jerusalem when the Christian community suffered great persecutions. Lazarus preached the gospel and baptized many people in Marseilles, Martha went to Avignon and Taracon, and Mary Magdalene retired to a cave in the mountains near St. Maximin where she lived in severe penance until she died. This morning you will travel to the town of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, where located in hills above the French Riviera we will have Mass and have the opportunity to meet with the rector of the Basilique de Sainte-Marie-Magdalene, the largest gothic Church in Provence, and to visit the Cave containing the remains of St Maximin and St Mary Magdalene. After enjoying a light Provencal lunch, we will go to the small town of Cotignac, one of the few places in the world where both St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary manifested themselves together in an apparition. In 1519, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Jean de la Baume, standing on a crescent moon with the Christ Child in her arms. Accompanying here were St. Michael the Archangel, Saint Bernard and Saint Catherine the Martyr, and she asked that a church be built here in her honor under the name of Our Lady of Graces. It was almost a century later when King Louis XIII, married to Anne of Austria, had been unable to father an heir to the throne and the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Brother Fiacre and told him that the Queen would receive the grace of conceiving a child if the people said three Novenas for her. These three novenas were to be said at Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Victories and Our Lady of Graces in Provence. Nine months after completing the last novena, on September 5, 1638 the Queen bore her first son, Louis Dieudonne (God-given), also known as King Louis XIV, the Sun King. It was in 1660 that St. Joseph appeared to a 22 year old shepherd named Gaspard Ricard, who by mid-day had already drunk his flask of water and was very thirsty. An elderly gentleman appeared to him and said "I am Joseph," pointed to a large nearby rock and told Gaspard to lift it and he would find water underneath. The rock was very large and Gaspard knew there was no way that he would be able to lift it. The man repeated his instructions, so he decided to try and much to his surprise he was able to move it easily and, true to the strangers words, water flowed down the hillside from the rock. Since then, reports of miraculous healings have come from here and a sanctuary was constructed in 1663. While in Cotignac we will see St. Joseph s Monastery and the Church of Our Lady of Graces where we will pray for Families. On our way back to Aix-en-Provence, we will stop at Le Thoronet Abbey, one of the three Cistercian abbeys known as "the Three Sisters of Provence." The church, now a museum, is built of stone blocks, cut and assembled by hand, without the use of cement or mortar. Tonight we will enjoy a dinner near the beautiful Cours Mirabeau. (B,L,D) Overnight: Hotel Le Pigonett*****
August 19 Avignon Palace of the Popes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Caves St. Charles Wine Tasting Gordes The Palace of the Popes was the seat of Christianity from 1309 to 1423 when the popes seated in Avignon before returning to Rome. This one time fortress and Palace was the largest Gothic building of the Middle-ages. Six conclaves were held here electing the Popes Benedict XII, Clement VI, Innocent VI, Urban V, Gregory XI and Benedict XIII. The papacy returned to Rome once there was peace in the Papal States in Italy, as Popes Urban V and Gregory XI believed the seat of the papacy could only be at the tomb of St Peter. This morning we will travel to Avignon where we will begin with Mass at the Avignon Cathedral, built in the 12 th Century and final resting place Pope Benedict XII. From the promenade du Rocher-des-Doms, you will take in the magnificent vistas of the Saint-Benezet bridge, also known as the pont d Avignon, and the areas surrounding the Rhone River. From here we will also enter the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), and tour the Papal apartments with their priceless frescoes painted by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti. From Avignon we will travel to through the vineyards that line the Rhone River Valley to the village of Châteauneuf-du- Pape. It was in 1317 that Pope John XXII initiated several large building projects, including that of the new castle at the top of the hill, ruins of which are now a prominent feature of the namesake village. Known around the world for the extraordinary wine, we will visit the Cave Saint Charles where the Master Sommelier will provide us with a formal tasting and an education about area wines. Afterward we will enjoy a fine lunch and have the opportunity to sample more of the area specialties. In the afternoon we will return to Aix-en-Provence driving through fields of lavender and stopping along the way in Gordes, the beautiful artist hillside village located in the Luberon. Dinner tonight in Aix-en-Provence. (B,L,D) Overnight: Hotel Le Pigonett***** August 20 Monaco Grimaldi Palace - Cathedral Eze Monte Carlo Silver Muse This morning we will depart Aix-en-Provence and travel along the French Riviera to the City-State of Monaco. Upon arrival we will have Mass at the Cathedral and see the tombs of Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace and many of the Grimaldi Family. From here we will visit the State Apartments in the Prince s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. The original fortress and ramparts were built by the Genoese in 1215 and throughout the centuries was transformed into one of the most luxurious residences in the style of Louis XIV. Prince Honore II was responsible for re-assembling the rich collections of art, which had been auctioned off during the French Revolution when the Palace was turned into a hospital for the Italian Army. However Prince Rainier III is credited with restoring the Palace to its former glory and the magnificent state in which it can be seen today. After visiting the Palace we will drive up to the medieval village of Eze, where we will have lunch in a restaurant overlooking the Riviera from a height of 1,400 feet. The ancient fortified village, is still crowned with the ruins of its 12th-century fortified castle, perched like an eagles nest, sitting on a narrow rocky peak. There will be time to explore the labyrinth of narrow streets and the Jardin Exotique, located on the castle grounds at the summit before returning to Monte Carlo later in the afternoon, to board the luxurious new Silver Muse. Once onboard, we will have the rest of the afternoon at our leisure, to explore the ship, the city or the famous Casino of Monte Carlo. (Enjoy Dinner on board the ship tonight, which will remain in port overnight, departing at 7:00am the next morning.) (B,L,D) August 21 Monte Carlo depart 7:00AM St. Tropez Early morning departure from Monte Carlo. Mass will be onboard this morning while we sail along the French Riviera, arriving at St. Tropez around 12:00PM Enjoy a Full day exploring the beautiful Seaside resort. Ship departs at 11:00PM
August 22 Sanary arrive: 8:30AM depart 5:30PM Early morning Mass and breakfast onboard. Full day in Sanary - Optional Catholic Journeys Excursion TBA August 23 Barcelona Manresa Montserrat arrive 8:00AM Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion: After breakfast onboard the ship we will disembark and meet our local tour guide who will bring us to two very important Shrines near Barcelona. Our first stop will be at the Shrine of Our Lady of Montserrat, which is located on a rugged mountainside behind Barcelona. According to Catholic tradition, St. Luke carved the statue of the Madonna around 50 A.D. and it was later brought to Spain. In the seventh century, when the moors invaded Spain, the Christians of Barcelona heroically defended it for three years until defeat appeared imminent. Knowing that they could hold out no longer, they decided to take their treasured image of Our Lady to a secret, safe place. The location of the statue was soon forgotten, but the people of Barcelona never forgot Our Lady. One evening in the year 890, shepherd boys from Monistrol, a village at the foot of Montserrat, were tending their flocks and were surprised by lights and the sound of singing coming from the mountain. When this happened once again, they reported the situation to their priest, who looked into the matter. He, too, heard the singing and saw the mysterious lights, so he reported this to the Bishop, who also witnessed the same occurrences. At last the statue of Our Lady was discovered in the cave. The Bishop suggested that it be moved to Manresa, however the status was too heavy and it could not be lifted. As a result, the Virgin remained on Montserrat and continued to be venerated there for centuries. As years progressed, a number of chapels were built upon the site, eventually becoming the present church which was completed in 1592. A monastery was founded on Montserrat and the Benedictines still maintain the sanctuary and provide hospitality to the steady stream of pilgrims who come here. One of those pilgrims was St. Ignatius of Loyola, who came and visited Our Lady of Montserrat every year. We will have Mass in the Church containing the miraculous statue. Unlike many old statues which are black because of the kind of wood or the effects of the original paint, the dark color of Our Lady of Montserrat is attributed to the innumerable candles and lamps used in its veneration. Because of this dark color it is affectionately called La Moreneta, The Dark Little One. Thus, the Virgin of Montserrat is classified among the Black Madonnas. The Virgin of Montserrat was declared the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Catalonia by Pope Leo XIII. The statue has always been one of the most celebrated images in Spain. We will have time to take in the views from the monastery before having lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Manresa and see the cave where St. Ignatius lived for many months in poverty, prayer, and penitence, and where he wrote his Book of Spiritual Exercises. (L) Return to Barcelona in the afternoon. Dinner on board the ship. August 24 Barcelona depart 7:00PM Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion: After breakfast onboard, we will gather outside and meet our guide again; this time showing us the best of Barcelona. Our sightseeing tour will begin with a visit to the Gothic Quarter and Mass at the Cathedral of Barcelona. From here we will have the opportunity to visit Antoni Gaudi s stunning, unfinished Roman Catholic Basilica, La Sagrada Familia. The first stone was laid on St Joseph s day, March 19, 1882, and is not scheduled to be completed until at least 2026. Gaudi s decision to abandon the old Neo-gothic plan in favor of a design that was more monumental and innovative, both in regard to the form and structure as well as the construction, make this building unique to any other church in the world. His design consisted of a large church with a floor plan based on a Latin cross and soaring towers. It was to be immensely symbolic, both architecturally and sculpturally, and convey the teachings of the Gospels and the Christian Church. Long before its completion it has become the symbol of Barcelona. During today s tour we will also see examples of Gaudi s other work such as the beautiful Palau Guell, designed for the rich Guell Family, as well as the famous Casa Mila and Casa Batlo. We will have time to wonder along the elegant Paseig de Gracia boulevard and the main pedestrian corridor which is lined with various markets and cafes from the Plaza Catalunya all the back to the cruise port, known as Las Ramblas. Dinner tonight on board ship.
August 25 Valencia arrive 8:00AM depart 6:00PM Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion: Today we begin with a visit to the Valencia Cathedral, also referred to as the Cathedral of the Holy Chalice, for it holds what is believed to be the actual Holy Grail. In the Chapel of the Holy Chalice we will see a beautiful chalice with details in gold, pearls and precious gems. However, the relic is the upper part, which is a cup of dark brown agate finely polished. It is an Alexandrian vessel that archaeologists believe to have an oriental origin (100-50 BC). This is the conclusion of Professor Antonio Beltrán, published in 1960 under the name of El Santo Cáliz de la Catedral de Valencia ( The Holy Chalice of the Valencia Cathedral ). It was never refuted and is the base of the increasing respect and knowledge of the Holy Chalice. Tradition tells us that it is the same cup that was used by the Lord in the last Supper for the Eucharist, then was taken to Rome by Saint Peter and was kept by subsequent Popes up to Saint Sixtus II. Through his Spanish deacon, Saint Lawrence, Saint Sixtus II was sent to Huesca (Saint Lawrence's homeland) in the 3rd century so as to save him from the persecution of Emperor Valerian. The presence of the Holy Chalice in Rome is evidenced by the phrase in the Roman Canon: He took this glorious chalice hoc praeclarum calicem. During the Muslim invasion, since 713 AD, the chalice was hidden in the Pyrenees region, after having been in Yebra, Siresa, Santa María de Sasabe, Bailio and finally in the monastery of San Juan de la Peña (Huesca), where a document (1071) refers to a precious chalice made of stone. The relic was handed over in 1399 to the King of Aragon, Martin The Human who kept it in the Aljaferia Royal Palace of Saragossa and then in the Royal Palace of Barcelona in 1410 when he died. The Holy Chalice is mentioned in the inventory of his properties and the history of the sacred cup is described. Towards 1424, the second successor of Mr. Martín, King Alfonso the Magnanimous handed over the royal reliquary to the Valencia Palace. Because of his stay in Naples, it was given with the rest of the relics to the Valencia Cathedral in 1437. It was kept and venerated during many centuries among the relics of the Cathedral and it was used to keep the consecrated form in the float of the Holy Thursday up to the 18th century. During the Independence War, between 1809 and 1813, the chalice was taken to Alicante, Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, escaping from Napoleonic invaders. In 1916, it was finally housed in the old Chapter House, later called the Holy Chalice Chapel. This continual public exhibition of the sacred relic resulted in a world-wide knowledge of its existence, since there was little information about it while it was kept in the reliquary of the Cathedral. During the Civil War (1936-1939), it was hidden in Carlet. Pope John XXIII granted plenary indulgence on the day of its annual feast; Pope John Paul II celebrated the Eucharist with the Holy Chalice during his visit to Valencia on November 8, 1982 just as Pope Benedict XVI did when he visited Valencia on July 8, 2006. We will have Mass in the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, and have time to venerate the Holy Grail. After Mass we will enjoy a city tour that includes seeing La Lonja de la Seda, which was built in the late 15th century as Valencia s silk and commodity exchange and is now a Unesco World Heritage site, as well as seeing the strikingly futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. We ll have a stop at the Marcado Central, and enjoy a traditional Paella Valenciana for Lunch. (L) There will be time to shop before returning to the Ship. August 26 Cartagena arrive 8:00AM depart 5:00PM Full Day Cartagena - Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion TBA: August 27 Malaga arrive 8:00AM depart 7:00PM Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion: Granada Cathedral & the Alhambra Palace Today we will drive to Granada and begin with a visit to the Cathedral of Granada. Within the cathedral we will have Mass and visit the "Capella Real," or Royal Chapel, which has the magnificent marble tombs of King Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Queen Isabella of Castile, as well as their daughter Juana the Mad, and son in law, Philip the Fair. It was King Ferdinand who waged the battle of Granada, chasing the Moors from Spain, and ending all Islamic rule on the Iberian peninsula. In the sacristy we will see King Ferdinand's sword and Queen Isabella s royal crown and scepter.
After Mass, we will visit the Alhambra Palace, the Moorish citadel complex overlooking the city. Granada rose to fame when the Moors transferred the seat of their diminishing dominions in the Iberian Peninsula to this city. Upon reaching the Alhambra, we will enjoy a walking tour of its magnificent buildings and gardens. Begun in 1238 by the Moorish ruler Ibn el-ahmer, the fortified hilltop complex became a world-renowned center of art and culture. It was so impressive that the Christian conquerors of the day could not bear to destroy it. Today, the legendary Alhambra remains Spain's most outstanding example of Moorish influence. Royal Palace - Follow the guide through a maze of pathways and corridors to the Palacio Arabe. Its splendid interior captivates with an endless procession of intricately-carved ceilings, and beautiful tiled floors, walls, arches and fountains. Of special note is the impressive marble colonnade leading to the Court of Myrtles and the Patio of the Lions. This famous courtyard, with its alabaster basin supported by 12 marble lions, is among the most photographed sites in Spain. Generalife - Your walk continues along landscaped pathways to the Generalife, site of the Moorish rulers' summer palace. Its location on higher ground made it a pleasant and cool retreat. The gardens are renowned for their terraced flowerbeds, fountains and spectacular views of the city. Finally we will walk to Hotel Alhambra Palace restaurant, where we will enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will take a short drive to San Cristobal viewing point to make some panoramic pictures of the city of Granada, before commencing the return drive to Málaga. August 28 Cádiz arrive 8:00AM depart 11:00PM Optional Catholic Journey Shore Excursion: This morning we will disembark the ship after breakfast and enjoy a scenic drive to Seville, where we will begin with Mass in the Seville cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. Built on the site of a grand Almohad Mosque, Seville's cathedral was built to demonstrate the city's power and wealth after the Reconquista. Construction started in the early 1400s, and took more than a century to complete. The builders used some columns and other elements from the ancient mosque, including its minaret, which was converted into a bell tower, and is now known as La Giralda. In the planning stages, a member of the chapter is said to have commented, "we shall have a church of such a kind that those who see it built will think we were mad." Inside the great cathedral we will see the burial places of King St. Ferdinand III, whose body is incorrupt, and of his spouse, Elizabeth of Hohenstaufen. St. Ferdinand was a just ruler and a man of great faith, extremely devoted to Our Lady. We will also see the monument and final resting place of Christopher Columbus. From here we will enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the Alcazar, the residence of Spanish kings for almost seven centuries, and a jewel of Mudejar architecture. We will explore its lavish courts, apartments and gardens. Christian kings erected this palace, modelled after the Alhambra in Granada, in the 14th century to replace the original palace built by Moorish rulers in 1181. Leaving the Alcazar we will have time for lunch and to wonder through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, also known as the old Jewish Quarter, with its cobbled streets, white-washed houses, cute shops and many cafes. Later in the afternoon before we leave Seville, we will visit the Basilica de la Macarena, which possesses the most revered image in Seville, "The Virgin of Hope" (Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza) which locals call La Macarena. La Macarena is the patron saint of matadors and a favorite of Spanish gypsies. Each year on Good Friday, the holiest day of Semana Santa, the fraternity dedicated to La Macarena, carries her image in procession through the city streets. August 29 Portimão arrive 8:00AM depart 6:00PM Full day in Portimão - Optional Catholic Journeys Excursion TBA August 30 Lisbon arrive 8:00AM Optional Catholic Journeys Excursion: This morning we will disembark the ship after breakfast and enjoy a full day in Lisbon, beginning with a visit to Saint Anthony's Church (the patron saint of lost objects.) Although we know him as Saint
Anthony of Padua, Anthony was originally from Lisbon, Portugal, not Padua, Italy. We will celebrate Mass at the Church which stands on the site of his birth and have time to visit the small gift shop and museum attached. From here we will visit the Royal Monastery of St. Jerome, a 16th-century architectural masterpiece, which dates from the Discovery Period and the reign of King Manuel I, and was paid for with the riches brought back by Portuguese explorers. We will have a guided tour of the monastery and the unique Belem Tower, which was built as a fortress to defend the harbor of the wealthy Portuguese capital. Next, our drive will continue on to enchanting Sintra. Once a favorite haunt of 19th-century European aristocrats, this charming town, on the northern slopes of the Serra de Sintra, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will have time for lunch and to explore the city, with its fairy-tale castles and spectacular mountain vistas. We will return to the port with time to explore a little of Lisbon on your own. The ship will remain in port overnight tonight. (B,D) August 31 Santarem - Eucharistic Miracle Fatima 100 th Anniversary Year This morning after breakfast on board the ship, we will disembark the Silver Muse for the last time and board our private motorcoach and depart for Santarem, one of the oldest cities in the world. We will walk through its narrow streets to the Church of St. Stephen, containing the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle. The Miracle occurred when a woman yearned to change the ways of her unfaithful husband and consulted a sorceress. The sorceress agreed that she would cure the husband s infidelity in exchange for a consecrated Host. The woman committed the sacrilege, but when she exited the church, the Host began to bleed. It bled so much that her fellow parishioners thought she had cut her hand. The woman ran home and hid the bleeding Host in a trunk. When her husband arrived home, the wife told him what she had done, and later that night there was a light emanating from the trunk. She and her husband began to kneel before the trunk. The following morning, the husband and wife brought the Host to the parish priest. It was then moved to the Church of St. Stephen where another miracle occurred; the miraculous Host was originally put in a wax container however, when a priest opened the tabernacle to view the Host, the container was found broken, and the Host was found enclosed in a crystal pyx. This miracle has been on continuous display since 1269 A.D. We will celebrate Mass at this holy site, and have some time for lunch, before re-boarding the motorcoach for the short drive to Fatima where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. Dinner tonight will be at the hotel. (B,D) Overnight: Hotel Santa Maria**** September 1 Fatima - Shrine and Aljustrel Today will surely be a memorable experience as you pray and meditate upon one of Our Blessed Mother s apparition sites. Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children; Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917. Historically, as the entire world was in true turmoil, Our Lady s most prominent message during this time was to pray for world peace. The destruction of the world at that point in history was also mentioned by Our Lady in her messages of Fatima, and more specifically, in her second secret to the children. Our profoundly reflective day begins with Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple, yet modern, chapel is the site of where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Following Mass, your tour of Fatima begins at the stunning neoclassical church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima. This Sacred space contains the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta, as well as, a Monument that commemorates the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Due to Our Lady s consistency in Her messages to pray the Rosary, this Basilica also features fifteen altars that are dedicated to the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Upon arriving at this Basilica, you will be able to feel, through the Love of Our Lord and Lady, the many graces that were received here. Following this visit, your tour will continue to the Hamlet of Aljustrel, the home of the three shepherd children; and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady s August 1917 apparition. Next, your tour culminates as you and your fellow pilgrims experience Christ s unconditional love by participating in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacre. The Sacred Way marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fourteen small chapels in commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, can be found below in the Chapel of Calvary, dedicated to St. Stephen of Hungary. Your night will conclude
with private devotions, and a candlelight procession, requested by Our Lady (1917). Enjoy dinner and another comfortable night s rest in Fatima. (B,L,D) Overnight: Hotel Santa Maria**** September 2 Batahla - Dominican Monastery & Royal Alcobaça - Cistercian Monastery Nazaré - Coastal resort Lisbon - Farewell Dinner This morning we will have time to revisit the Basilica, and pray at the Chapel of the Apparitions before departing for Batalha. Here we will see the great Monastery of the Dominicans built to commemorate the victory of the Portuguese over the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota. In 1385, King João I vowed that if his outnumbered army defeated the Castilians at this important battle, he would build a magnificent monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The king was victorious, resulting in the independence of Portugal from Spain and the great Batalha Monastery. King João I gave the monastery to the Dominicans and it took the next two centuries to complete this architectural masterpiece, in the Gothic and Manueline styles. The Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória has since been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List and also houses the remains of Portuguese Royalty. From here we will continue on to Alcobaça, to see the Monastery of Santa Maria d'alcobaça, one of the first foundations of the Cistercian Order in Portugal. It was founded in 1153 by the first Portuguese King, Afonso Henriques, (Alfonso I) to commemorate his victory over the Moors at Santarém in March 1147. Its size, the purity of its architectural style, the beauty of the materials and the care with which it was built make this a masterpiece of Cistercian Gothic art and also earned it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. A short drive from here takes us to the charming coastal town of Nazaré. Originally a quiet finishing village, Nazaré is now a popular resort in the summer and a haven for surfers seeking out monster waves in the winter. It is on a hilltop overlooking the village that we will see the Chapel, Ermida da Memória. According to the Legend of Nazaré, Dom Fuas Roupinho, a Templar knight, was chasing a large deer (later said to be the devil in the disguise) up a hill on a foggy September morning in 1182. When the deer galloped over the edge of the cliff into the void, his fiery horse was about to follow. Then the knight invoked the intervention of Our Lady, who suddenly appeared and miraculously stopped the horse and saved the knight from imminent death. Subsequently, a chapel was built very near this spot, which over the years has grown, and which houses a small statue of a Black Madonna, brought from Nazareth. We will have Mass followed by a lunch of fresh seafood in town. After lunch we will travel back to Lisbon where we will have some free time to relax before gathering for our Farewell Dinner at the Hotel. (B,L,D) Overnight: Four Seasons Hotel Ritz***** or Pestana Palace Lisboa***** September 3 Lisbon USA This morning we will enjoy our final breakfast together at the hotel before saying Adeus, Adios, and Au revoir and taking our transfer to the airport. Highlights Include: 17 Nights Deluxe Accommodations ~ 3 Nights Aix-en-Provence, Hotel Le Pigonett***** (or similar) ~ 11 Nights aboard Silver Muse, All Suite, All Balcony, All Inclusive with Butler Service ~ 2 Nights Fatima, Hotel Santa Maria**** (or similar) ~ 1 Night Lisbon, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz***** or Pestana Palace Lisboa***** * Airport Transfers in Marseilles & Lisbon * All meals (B,L,D+) including beverages Aboard Ship * All meals including beverages, where indicated for Land Tour and Shore Excursions * Professional English Speaking Tour Guides throughout. * All Tips, Gratuities & Donations, (Guides, Drivers, Ship Staff & Churches) * Specially Arranged Shore Excursions (Optional at additional Cost)
Extraordinary Experiences while in France: Aug 17 Welcome Mass, Reception, Welcome Dinner at Hotel Le Pigonett***** Aug 18 Mass at the Shrine to Mary Magdalen and meeting with the Rector of the Basilique de Sainte-Marie-Magdalene Aug 18 Visit Cotignac - the Apparition Site of St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary Aug 19 Mass and visit to the Palace of the Popes in Avignon Aug 19 Wine Tasting with the Master Sommelier at the Caves St. Charles in Châteauneuf-du-Pape Aug 20 Mass at the Cathedral in Monaco Aug 20 Lunch in the Èze, overlooking the Côte d Azur. Aug 21 Full day in Saint Tropez Extraordinary Experiences while in Spain: Aug 23 Visit the Monastery at Montserrat and see the Black Madonna known as La Moreneta Aug 23 Visit Manresa where St. Ignatius wrote his Book of Spiritual Exercises. Aug 24 Visit Gaudi s unfinished Basilica - La Sagrada Familia Aug 25 Celebrate Mass in the Valencia Cathedral in the Chapel of the Holy Grail Aug 27 Visit the Alhambra Palace and General Life Gardens in Granada Aug 28 Seville s magnificent Cathedral, the Basilica de la Macarena and visit the Alcazar\ Extraordinary Experiences while in Portugal: Aug 30 Mass at the Church of St. Anthony (of Padua) in Lisbon Aug 30 Visit the Royal Monastery of St. Jerome in Lisbon and the Fairytale town of Sintra Aug 31 Venerate the Eucharistic Miracle at Santarem Sep 1 Pray at the sight of the Apparitions in Fatima during the 100 th Anniversary Year Sep 2 Visit the Monasteries at Batahla & Alcobaça Sep 2 Special Farewell Dinner in Lisbon Special Offers from Silversea Venetian Society & Friends Discount 5% If Paid in Full by September 2, 2016, save 10% Combined that s 15% off the Total Price! 11 Day Cruise - Silver Muse staring from : $8,350 pp (Classic Veranda Suite) Regular Price $7,933 pp (Classic Veranda Suite) with 5% Venetian Society Discount $7,098 pp (Classic Veranda Suite) if paid in Full by September 2 Catholic Journeys is matching all Silversea Discounts for the Land Package 6 Days France and Portugal as Outlined in itinerary above: $5,645 pp (When booked in conjuction with Cruise) $5,363 pp with 5% Venetian Society Discount $4,798 pp if paid in Full by September 2 Total Possible Combined Savings for Cruise and Land Package: $2,099 per person