08 Fall

FATIMA

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

LOURDES

PARIS

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS 10 – 21 MAY 2017

LED BY BISHOP VALENTINE SEANE

Day 1: JOHANNESBURG WED, 10 May 2017

Meet at O.R. Tambo International Airport at the Air France check-in counter. Board flight AF 955 departing for Paris at 18h50. Please ensure that you arrive 3 hours prior to departure.

Enjoy dinner on board of your flight

Day 2: LISBON / FATIMA THU, 11 May 2017

Arrive in Paris at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 05h40 and board Air France flight AF 1024 departing for Lisbon at 09h40. Arrive in Lisbon at the Lisbon International Airport at 11h10. Meet your local guide and depart to discover Lisbon. Visit the Belém quarter where you will find the most beautiful and historical monuments from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Belém Tower is a world heritage site as declared by by UNESCO (Torre de Belém), it is a point of departure of some of the Portuguese maritime explorations, such as on the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), and it was built to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the “death “of Prince Henry the Navigator. We then visit the church of S. Jerome Monastery, another world heritage site as declared by UNESCO (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos). It is a masterpiece of the “Manueline” style. Enjoy lunch during these visits. Travelling along the river arrive at Alfama. Alfama is Lisbon's oldest quarter. Spread over the southeastern slope of the hill crowned by Castelo de São Jorge, the picturesque neighborhood is composed of a maze of narrow streets, winding alleyways, and steep flights of steps. Pass by the downtown Baixa to admire the most important squares of Lisbon such as the monumental Trade Square (Praça do Comércio); this is one of the most majestic squares of Lisbon and was once the main maritime entrance to Lisbon. You can still see the old marble steps leading up to Commerce Square from the River Tagus. The name Palace Square is clearly a reference to the Palace that was located here for 400 years, until the 1755 earthquake that almost completely destroyed it. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon and the symbolic Restauradores Square. This large square commemorates the country's liberation from 60 years of Spanish rule in 1640. Stop to visit the church and birthplace of Saint Anthony. Upon arrival in Fátima, check in to your hotel. After dinner, join in a late evening candlelight procession.

Dinner and overnight in Fatima

Day 3: FATIMA / ALJUSTEL / VALINHOS FRI, 12 May 2017

After breakfast in the hotel join a concelebrated Mass at the Apparitions Chapel. After mass, transfer by coach to visit Aljustrel, the village where the three shepherds where born. Continue to Valinhos and visit the Stations of the Cross and the Calvary, the site of Our Lady's 4th apparition and the place where the children received the first and the third visit of the “Angel of Peace”. Next we visit the Parish Church. In the afternoon enjoy a Sanctuary tour and visit to the exposition “Fatima Light and Peace” where offers are left by the pilgrims. A late evening Rosary is followed by the candlelight procession in the Apparitions Chapel.

Dinner and overnight in Fatima

Day 4: 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPARITIONS SAT, 13 May 2017

After breakfast in the hotel participate in the Celebrations of the first Apparition of Our Lady of the Rosary. At 09:00 join in the International Rosary at the Apparitions Chapel, followed by International Mass with the blessing of the sick. The afternoon is free for personal visits and activities. Dinner is followed by a Candlelight procession.

Dinner and overnight in Fatima

Day 5: FATIMA / PORTO / SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA SUN, 14 May 2017

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to Porto; the 2nd

largest city of Portugal. It is a living amphitheatre inviting us to make a visit to the river side area, old houses, palaces and churches, enjoy a panoramic city tour of Porto passing by the Stock exchange palace, Av Aliados and other points of interest. Visit a Port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, including wine tasting. Continue to the Spain border in the direction of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the Region of Galicia. Millions of people from all over the world come to this city every year, many of them reaching the end of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route. Its historic centre has been designated a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Arrive in Santiago de Compostela and check in to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela

Day 6: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA MON, 15 May 2017

After breakfast depart for an early morning city tour of Santiago de Compostela. Visit the St James Cathedral, part of the way of Saint James, an important medieval route from the 9

th century, also home of the University of Santiago de

Compostela which was established in the 16th

century. At 12h00 partake in a Concelebrated Mass and join the Pilgrim Mass. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure for personal devotion or sight-seeing. This famous pilgrimage site in north-west Spain became a symbol in the Spanish Christians' struggle against Islam. Sight-seeing attractions include: Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos: In 1499, the Catholic Monarchs created a lovely place of lodging for weary pilgrims who had journeyed from far and wide on the Way of Saint James trail. Museum of Pilgrimages: The museum explains the importance of the Saint James' relics to the pilgrims and illustrates the cult of Saint James through ancient artifacts and religious objects. Collegiate Church of Santa Maria: dates to the 12th century. The building has an interesting tower and flying buttresses on the exterior that were built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela

Day 7: SANTIAGO DE COMOSTELA / COVADONGA TUE, 16 May 2017

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart by coach to Covadonga. On the way visit Santo Toribio de Liebana Monastery. The monastery was founded prior to the 6th Century. According to tradition, the Monastery venerates that largest piece of the Lignum Crucis discovered in Jerusalem by Saint Helena of Constantinople and brought from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher by Saint Turibius of Astorga. The left arm of the True Cross is kept on a gilded silver reliquary. Continue to Covadonga, where the Holy Cave holds the tomb of Pelayo, who in 722 won the Battle of Covadonga against the Muslim Moors, and later became the first King of Asturias. The victory of Covadonga started the so called Re-conquest, a fight of some 800 years between the Muslims and Christians. During the first 200 years after the battle, Asturias was the Christian stronghold in the Iberian Peninsula. Closely related to the glorious past of Asturias, is Our Lady in Cave. Actually, this image of a Virgin gives Covadonga its name. Arrive in Covadonga and visit the Shrine. At the end of the day, check in to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Covadonga

Day 8: COVADONGA / SANTANDER / LOURDES WED, 17 May 2017

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart to Santander. Santander is the main city of Cantabria. It is a middle-large size city that spreads along the bay. There are several beaches and harbours limiting the city on the northern side, towards the southern part you'll find the old city centre and a bit further the green mountains. We could say that Santander is between the blue and the green. In the 19

th century the city was a renowned tourist resort for Spanish

politicians, aristocrats and for the upper class. The city still keeps wonderful palaces and promenades, bay type architecture with white buildings and old cafés. Enjoy a short panoramic trip of the city and continue to Lourdes. Nestled in the mountains stands picturesque Lourdes, the birthplace of St. Bernadette to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858, near the Grotto of Massabielle. Arrive in Lourdes and check in to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Lourdes

Day 9: LOURDES THU, 18 May 2017

After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes, a small market town lying in the foothills of the Pyrenees. See Boly Mill where St. Bernadette was born, and the "Cachot," an abandoned prison where Bernadette's impoverished family lived. Enjoy a tour to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the world’s 3 Catholic shrines - the others being the Vatican and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico. Your guide will tell you the story of Bernadette and how it changed destiny of this small Pyrenean town. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Later this evening join in a candlelight procession and group rosary.

Dinner and overnight in Lourdes

Day 10: LOURDES FRI, 19 May 2017

After breakfast, visit the Stations of the Cross. The rest of the day is at leisure to join your prayers with those of pilgrims from around the world as you pray for the sick, drink water from the miraculous spring or submerge yourself in the healing baths. Kneel in the chapel built on the very rock of the Grotto, in obedience to the request of the "Immaculate Conception." At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Later this evening join in a candlelight procession and group rosary.

Dinner and overnight in Lourdes

Day 11: LOURDES / PARIS / JOHANNESBURG SAT, 20 May 2017

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Pau Airport, for your flight to Paris. Board Air France flight AF 7533 departing at 10h50. Arrive in Paris at 12h20 and depart by coach for a city tour of Paris. The tour includes the Chapel of our Lady of the miraculous Medal; the chapel was built in 1815 and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1830 it was privileged with the extraordinary events of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to Sister Catherine Labouré that marked it forever and Notre Dame Notre-Dame lies at the eastern end of the Île de la Cité and was built on the ruins of two earlier churches, which were themselves predated by a Gallo-Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter. Enjoy a Seine Cruise and visit Rue Du Bac and the Eiffel Tower, there is also some time to enjoy shopping. At the end of the day, transfer to the airport, and check in to Air France flight AF 990, departing for Johannesburg at 23h30.

Overnight on board your flight

Day 12: JOHANNESBURG SUN, 21 May 2017

Arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 10h00.

09 Nights in FATIMA/ SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA/ LOURDES 10 – 21 May 2017

Price, per person, based on 30 Pilgrims travelling and 1 Spiritual Leader R 39, 995.00 (Subject to Change)

All rates quoted are per adult sharing and subject to availability at time of making the reservation. Airfares & Taxes are subject to change within the specified seasons and are carrier specific, which could impact on the rate quoted. Rates are

subject to currency fluctuations which are subject to change without prior notification. Standard T's and C's apply.

SERVICES INCLUDED:

Return Economy Flights From Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport

Airport Taxes (subject to change)

Accommodation on bed, breakfast and dinner basis: o 3 nights in Fatima o 2 nights in Santiago de Compostela o 1 night in Covadonga o 3 nights in Lourdes

Transfer in a deluxe coach

Full time English Speaking Guide in Lisbon, Fatima, Lourdes and Paris

Visits and entrances as described in the itinerary.

Paris sight-seeing tour, including a Seine River Cruise

SERVICES EXCLUDED:

Visas

Group Travel Insurance

Meals and sightseeing not mentioned in the itinerary.

Tips, porterage, lunches, drinks, personal expenses

Single Room Supplement R6400.00 per person

All items of a personal nature