Proposed Itinerary Crafted Especially For Assisian Tour Choir Leanne Stoterau Hahn, Director of Music Fatima, Spain, & Lourdes Marian Shrines, Featuring Santiago de Compostela 10-day Pilgrimage October 8-17, 2012 Fatima El Camino de Santiago Lourdes Shrines of Paris Your pilgrimage includes: Round-trip economy class via Air France Chicago/Paris/Lisbon-Lourdes/Paris/Chicago. U.S. departure tax; Customs user fee; security tax; and all airport departure taxes. Meeting and assistance upon departure from Chicago International Airport. Arrival and departure transfers in luxury motor coach. Eight (8) nights accommodations in twin rooms, with private facilities, in tourist-class hotels (3- and 4-star, European standard). Breakfast and dinner daily, as per itinerary. Services of a Peter s Way Tours tour manager upon arrival in Lisbon until departure in Paris. Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at hotels throughout. Entrance fees and admissions to all sights, as per itinerary. Coordination of daily Liturgies, as per itinerary. All sightseeing, as per the itinerary, in private, deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach. Services of a professional, government-licensed, English-speaking guide. Special promotional brochures of your tour printed free for distribution by you. Portfolio of travel documents, for each participant, including a Peter s Way Tours flight packet. Items not included in the package price: Health, trip cancellation/interruption or baggage insurance. All are strongly recommended. Peter s Way Tours offers a comprehensive policy at additional cost. Passport & visa costs, if any. U.S. Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months subsequent to return date. Items of a personal nature (hotel extras, laundry, phone calls, etc.). Meals not specified in the program. Gratuities to the tour manager, guides and driver. Items not specifically mentioned above.
A Special Invitation to friends and families of Assisian Tour Choir Leanne Stoterau Hahn, Director of Music - Page 2 - Fatima, Spain, & Lourdes Marian Shrines, Featuring Santiago de Compostela 10-day Pilgrimage October 8-17, 2012 Fatima El Camino de Santiago Lourdes Shrines of Paris Join us on a pilgrimage to the Marian Shrines...Fatima, Portugal is the site of one of the most famous apparitions of the Blessed Mother. On May 13, 1917, three young peasant children (Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco) received an apparition of the Blessed Mother. She gave them many important messages and taught them the need for prayer. These apparitions continued on the 13th of each month until October 13, 1917. On that day, the Blessed Mother performed the Miracle of the Sun. Today, Fatima is visited by pilgrims from around the world who search for an find the messages of peace left by Mary for the world. Tentative flight schedule via Air France from Chicago International Airport as follows: Date Airline Flight Departure City/Time Arrival City/Time Oct. 8 Air France #667 Chicago ORD /5:10 pm --------------------------------- Oct. 9 ---------------------------------- Paris CDG /8:20 am Oct. 9 Air France #1624 Paris CDG /1:20 pm Lisbon LIS /2:50 pm Oct. 16 Air France #7773 Lourdes PUF /7:20 am Paris CDG /8:50 am Oct. 17 Air France #664 Paris CDG /10:30 am Chicago ORD /12:35 pm Please note: Flight itinerary subject to change without notice. - I T I N E R A R Y - Day 1, October 8, Monday: Depart USA This afternoon, depart Chicago International Airport for the overnight transatlantic flight to Lisbon, Portugal via Paris on Air France. Dinner, breakfast and beverages will be served aloft. (D) Day 2, October 9, Tuesday: Arrive Lisbon - Fatima Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle International Airport, you will connect via Air France for your continuing flight to Lisbon, Portugal. Upon arrival in Lisbon International Airport, go through Passport Control, claim your luggage, and a Peter s Way Tours tour manager will meet you upon your exit from Customs. Your luggage will be transferred to your bus and soon, you will be on your way to Fatima, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1917 to three simple shepherd children and exhorted mankind to pray for world peace. Check-in at hotel in Fatima. After dinner, you may participate in the evening Eucharistic Procession. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Fatima.
- Page 3 - Day 3, October 10, Wednesday: Full day in Fatima Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, celebrate Holy Mass at the Little Chapel of Apparitions. Then, your guide will take you on a tour of the Shrine of Fatima. In May 1917, Our Lady was seen several times by three shepherd children Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia at a place called Cova da Iria, where the Basilica now stands. Visit the tombs of the children, and the Chapel of the Apparitions known as the Capelinha. Independent lunch. Then, visit Aljustrel, the hamlet where the three children lived and view their untouched homes. Visit Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children s return from prison. O My Jesus, Forgive us Our Sins, save us from the Fires of Hell, lead all Souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy Mercy. After dinner, you may participate in the evening Eucharistic Procession. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Fatima. Day 4, October 11, Thursday: Fatima - Coimbra - Santiago de Compostela Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, leave Fatima and drive north to Santiago de Compostela. En route, stop in Coimbra to visit the Carmelite Monastery, where Sister Lucia, one of the three shepherd children, lived until her death in 2005. Celebrate 12:00 noon Mass at the Monastery. Independent lunch en route. This afternoon, we arrive in the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela one of the Western world s most desirable spots of pilgrimage, still a special place in the hearts of many. Santiago is home to one of the world s largest churches, St. James of Compostela. Santiago is the end of the road of the ancient pilgrim s journey, as well as today s pilgrim. The town is truly dominated by the famous Shrine. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Santiago de Compostela. Day 5, October 12, Friday: Santiago de Compostela Breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, start your tour of the Pilgrim s Way. For those who are able, walk from Avenida de los Concheiros to Cruz de San Pedro and on to Puerta del Carmen, Rua Casa Reales to Azabacheria and on to the Cathedral. Upon arrival, we will visit the Shrine of St. James. According to legend, the bones of the Apostle St. James the Great (Santiago), brother of the Evangelist John, were transported to Spain after his martyrdom in AD 44 and placed at the site of the Cathedral in the year 813. We will celebrate 12:00 noon Mass, pray and reflect at the Shrine. As pilgrims, you are permitted to climb the stairs behind the high altar to visit the crypt, where the relics of St. James are preserved. Also visit the Bell Tower and the urn representing the life and work of the Apostle. Visit the Church and the Convent of San Francesco commemorating the pilgrimage made here by St. Francis of Assisi between 1213 and 1215. Independent lunch. This afternoon, our guide is ready to take us on an orientation tour of the city Santiago de Compostella, now the seat of the metropolitan archbishop and an ancient university. Visit the old town, Plaza de Espana, the Hospital of the Catholic Monarchs, the Plaza de la Quintana. Also see the 12th century Church of Santa Maria de Sar in the Barrio de Sar. See the fine 13th century cloister with rich sculptured ornaments by Maestro Mateo. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Santiago de Compostela.
- Page 4 - Day 6, October 13, Saturday: El Camino de Santiago Leon - Burgos Breakfast at your hotel. Today, travel will be the Route of El Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) to Leon, the capital of Christian Spain at the start of the Reconquest. Upon arrival in Leon, you will visit the old town and follow the steps of all the pilgrims. Visit the Churches of Santa Ana, Santa Maria del Mercado, and the Convent of Conception. The highlight of this exploration is the remarkable Cathedral built in pure Gothic Style. Daylight filters through no less than 12, 917 square feet of stained-glass windows. Tradition requires that all pilgrims rest their hands on a small pedestal in the church, so as to receive special protection for their pilgrimage. Independent lunch. Upon arrival in Burgos, visit the Cathedral, where many Spanish Kings and Queens are buried. The cathedral is built on the site of a house where El Cid once lived, and his tomb is in the transept. Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral in Leon or the Cathedral in Burgos. Continue to hotel for check-in. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Burgos. Day 7, October 14, Sunday: Burgos - Loyola - Lourdes Breakfast at your hotel. This morning, we leave Burgos to Tolosa (Azpeitia), where the baroque monastery of Ignatius de Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, is located. We will visit the Sanctuary, where a magnificent Basilica adjoins a 13thcentury Tower House, where St. Ignatius was born. Independent lunch. Celebrate Mass at the Loyola Santuary. Afterward, travel east across the Spanish/French boarder and through the Pyrenees mountains to Lourdes. This evening, arrive in Lourdes. A picture book castle and the Grotto dominate Lourdes, where the Beautiful Lady appeared to Bernadette. Most people have a mental image of Lourdes, which dissolves the instant they visit the town. Few are prepared by what they have read or seen in pictures to grasp the sheer beauty of the place. It is more dramatic and larger than you expect. The people you meet there are the most amazing part of the entire experience. They seem possessed of a loving spirit, which almost puts electricity in the air. At night they stroll the narrow streets singing aloud, laughing and full of joy. They come from all nations. Smiling faces seem to break down language barriers. Whether pilgrims experience another miracle or not, they consider it miracle enough to find themselves, at last, in Lourdes. Check-in at hotel in Lourdes. After dinner at hotel, join in the candlelight procession, recitation of the Rosary and singing of hymns to honor the Mother of God. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Lourdes.
- Page 5 - Day 8, October 15, Monday: Full Day in Lourdes Breakfast at your hotel. Liturgies at the Grotto are scheduled on the hour, 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the English Mass time advised only two weeks prior to departure. This morning, participate in the walking tour of Lourdes, where the group will visit the places associated with the life of Bernadette. The places include the Boly Mill, where St. Bernadette was born; the Locale Mill, residence of her parents; the Cochot, formerly used as a jail where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel where St. Bernadette received her First Holy Communion; and the Parish church containing the Baptismal Font where she was baptized. Independent lunch. Your afternoon is free for private devotions, visiting the Grotto, and confession. There will be an opportunity for the sick to take part in the Miraculous Baths. If you are able, you may want to walk and pray the outdoor Stations, or attend the blessing of the sick, one of the most inspiring events at the shrine. Perhaps you will choose an optional visit to the sanctuaries. In a square to the side is the Chapel of Reconciliation where the Redemptorist Fathers are available for confessions in many languages. Celebrate 5:00 pm Mass at the Chapel of Poor Clares, Crypt, Basilica of the Immaculate Conception or in the Grotto (to be determined). After dinner tonight, join in the candlelight procession, recitation of the Rosary and singing hymns to honor the Mother of God. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Lourdes.
- Page 6 - Day 9, October 16, Tuesday: AM/Shrines of Paris PM/Highlight Tour of Paris Early morning, you will be transferred to Lourdes Airport for your short flight to Paris CDG Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Rue de Bac, Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. Celebrate Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. This is where our Blessed Mother appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830. O Mary Conceived without Sin, Pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Then, continue to visit the Church of St. Vincent de Paul to view the incorrupt heart of St. Vincent de Paul in a reliquary. Continue to visit the Ile de la Cité, where you will visit the magnificent cathedral, Notre- Dame-de-Paris. Its massive flying buttresses, famous towers, and elegant rose windows will take your breath away. Continue to visit the nearby Sainte Chapelle, a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture built by Saint Louis in the heart of the Palais de la Cité on the Ile de la Cité in Paris. Discover its unique stained-glass windows rendering the air iridescent with light and color, symbols of the heavenly Jerusalem. Independent lunch. This afternoon, our guide will bring alive the remarkable sights of this magnificent and romantic city on the River Seine: the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysées, Arc de Triômphe, Tomb of Napoleon, Place de la Concorde, the Opéra the Bastille Square and The Place des Vosges the oldest square in Paris and one of the most beautiful in the world. End our morning with a visit to the fascinating Artist Square and Sacré Coeur Basilica, with its huge bell tower and onionshaped domes one of the city s most familiar sights. This gleaming white church rises atop Montmartre, Paris highest hill at 423 feet. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Paris. Day 10, October 17, Wednesday: Return to the USA After a buffet breakfast, you will be transferred to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport for your return flight to Chicago. Arrive in Chicago late afternoon, overflowing with memories of your pilgrimage to these grace-filled Marian Shrines. (B) St. Bernadette, Humble child of Lourdes, you were misunderstood and abused throughout your short life, but through your suffering; physical, mental, and spiritual, you learned to deal with the wickedness of sinners, meekly accepting your crosses and carrying them with such articulate grace. Look down upon us who continue to struggle with this mortal life, and pray that through your example we might find inner peace, hope, and faith. We ask this favor through Our Lady and Lord, with the hope of one day sharing eternity with you.