{"id":903,"date":"2026-08-23T19:14:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:14:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/?post_type=product&#038;p=903"},"modified":"2026-08-23T19:15:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T19:15:03","slug":"india-in-the-footsteps-of-st-thomas-the-apostle-st-francis-xavier","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/producto\/india-in-the-footsteps-of-st-thomas-the-apostle-st-francis-xavier\/","title":{"rendered":"India: In the Footsteps of St. Thomas the Apostle &#038; St. Francis Xavier"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30104K\u3011Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade (Serbia) - Full Walking Tour - With Captions [CC]\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BS-h2xrrxd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"1mvzoh2\" data-start=\"581\" data-end=\"644\">India: In the Footsteps of St. Thomas the Apostle &amp; St. Francis Xavier<\/h2>\n<div>A Catholic Pilgrimage from the Tomb of an Apostle to the Missionary Churches of Southern India<\/div>\n<div>13 Days | Chennai, Pondicherry, Vailankanni, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kerala &amp; Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>An Extraordinary Journey into One of Christianity\u2019s Most Ancient Lands India occupies a remarkable place in the history of Christianity.<\/div>\n<div>According to ancient Christian tradition, St. Thomas\u00a0 one of the Twelve Apostles who walked with Christ, witnessed the Risen Lord and received the Great Commission\u00a0 carried the Gospel eastward to India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our pilgrimage begins in Chennai, where we will pray at the Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle in the Basilica of San Thome.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For Catholics, this alone makes the journey extraordinary.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Only a small number of places in the world preserve ancient traditions associated with the burial places of Christ\u2019s Apostles. Here, on the southeastern coast of India, pilgrims have the remarkable opportunity to celebrate their faith at a place associated for centuries with the final earthly resting place of one of the Twelve.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We will also climb St. Thomas Mount, traditionally associated with the Apostle\u2019s martyrdom, allowing us to begin our journey by contemplating Christianity in India not as a recent arrival, but as a tradition that traces its origins back to the Apostolic Age.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>From there, our pilgrimage follows the story of Christianity across southern India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We will encounter the ancient Christian communities associated with the legacy of St. Thomas, pray at Vailankanni, one of Asia\u2019s great Marian shrines, encounter the witness of Indian saints and martyrs, and ultimately reach Goa, where the incorrupt body of the great missionary St. Francis Xavier is venerated in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>It is a journey spanning almost two thousand years of Christian history:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>from St. Thomas the Apostle to St. Francis Xavier; from the first proclamation of the Gospel to the missionary age; from ancient Eastern Christianity to the Catholic communities of India today.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>And along the way, we will also encounter India itself \u2014 its civilizations, temples, colonial heritage, landscapes, cuisine and extraordinary religious and cultural diversity.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Pilgrimage Highlights<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle \u2014 pray at the traditional resting place of one of the Twelve Apostles at San Thome Basilica in Chennai.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060St. Thomas Mount \u2014 visit the place traditionally associated with the Apostle\u2019s martyrdom.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060The Apostle Thomas in India \u2014 discover the ancient tradition connecting St. Thomas with the origins of Christianity on the Indian subcontinent.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060St. Thomas Christians \u2014 encounter the extraordinary heritage of Indian Christianity whose traditions trace their origins to the Apostle.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni \u2014 pilgrimage to the great Marian sanctuary often called the \u201cLourdes of the East.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060St. Francis Xavier \u2014 conclude our journey in Goa, where his body is venerated in the Basilica of Bom Jesus.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060St. Devasahayam Pillai \u2014 encounter the witness of the 18th-century Indian martyr canonized in 2022.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060St. John de Britto \u2014 discover another remarkable chapter in the missionary history of southern India.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Catholic Chennai, Pondicherry &amp; Madurai \u2014 discover historic cathedrals and Christian communities across southern India.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Goa\u2019s Catholic Heritage \u2014 explore the extraordinary churches and convents of Old Goa, recognized by UNESCO.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Basilica of Bom Jesus \u2014 pray before the remains of St. Francis Xavier.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Indian Sacred &amp; Cultural Heritage \u2014 encounter Hindu temples, palaces, markets and historic monuments as part of a deeper understanding of the culture in which Indian Christianity developed.<\/div>\n<div>\u2022\u2060\u00a0 \u2060Daily opportunities for Holy Mass, prayer and spiritual reflection throughout the pilgrimage.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>From One of the Twelve to the Apostle of the Indies<\/h2>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>What makes this pilgrimage different is the extraordinary span of Christian history we encounter.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We begin with Thomas.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Not simply a missionary or later saint, but an Apostle of Jesus Christ.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>A man who knew Jesus during His earthly life.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Who witnessed the wounds of the Risen Christ.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Who proclaimed:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u201cMy Lord and my God.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>And who, according to ancient Christian tradition, carried the Gospel all the way to India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Centuries later, another missionary arrived on these shores.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>St. Francis Xavier crossed oceans to preach Christ throughout Asia, becoming known as the Apostle of the Indies.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our pilgrimage begins at the tomb traditionally associated with St. Thomas in Chennai and ultimately reaches the body of St. Francis Xavier in Goa.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Between them lie centuries of Indian Christianity.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The ancient communities of the St. Thomas Christians.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Marian devotion of Vailankanni.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The sacrifice of St. John de Britto.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The martyrdom of St. Devasahayam.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>And millions of Indian Christians who continue to live the faith today.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This is therefore more than a pilgrimage in the footsteps of a single saint.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>It is a journey through nearly two thousand years of Christianity in India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h2>A Pilgrimage Designed Around Your Parish<\/h2>\n<div>India: In the Footsteps of St. Thomas the Apostle &amp; St. Francis Xavier can be adapted to the spiritual, cultural and practical needs of each parish, diocese or Catholic organization.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Depending on available time and group interests, possibilities may include daily Mass \u2022 special arrangements at the Tomb of St. Thomas \u2022 additional St. Thomas sites \u2022 deeper encounters with the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Catholic traditions \u2022 Vailankanni \u2022 additional Indian saints and martyrs \u2022 extended time in Goa \u2022 Christian art and archaeology \u2022 cultural experiences \u2022 Kerala extensions \u2022 additional nights before or after the pilgrimage.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For groups particularly interested in the Apostles and Early Church, the program can be developed with an even stronger focus on the ancient St. Thomas Christian tradition of southern India.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1><strong style=\"font-size: 20.16px;\">Important Information and Terms and Conditions<\/strong><\/h1>\n<div class=\"relative z-[1]\">\n<div class=\"mt4SwW_editor [--wb-text-primary:var(--text-primary)] [--wb-text-secondary:var(--text-secondary)] [--wb-text-tertiary:var(--text-tertiary)] [--wb-surface-primary:var(--bg-primary)] [--wb-surface-secondary:var(--bg-tertiary)] [--wb-border:rgb(0_0_0\/7%)] [--wb-border-hover:rgb(0_0_0\/7%)] [--wb-divider:var(--border-light)] [--wb-focus:var(--border-strong)] [--wb-control-border:var(--interactive-border-focus)] [--wb-entity-accent:var(--theme-entity-accent)] [--wb-accent:var(--interactive-label-accent-default)] [--wb-on-accent:var(--bg-primary)] [--wb-interactive-background:var(--interactive-bg-accent-default)] [--wb-selection:var(--theme-user-selection-bg,var(--selection))] [--wb-radius-sm:var(--radius-sm)] [--wb-shadow-lg:var(--shadow-lg)] [--wb-font-sans:var(--font-sans)] [--wb-font-mono:var(--font-mono)] [--wb-shimmer-dark-contrast:var(--gray-550)] [--wb-shimmer-dark-secondary:var(--text-tertiary)] [--wb-radius:24px] [--wb-shadow:0_4px_80px_rgb(0_0_0\/2%)] [contain:none] writing-block-editor markdown-new-styling relative flow-root\">\n<div class=\"outline-none data-[writing-block-fullscreen-editor]:min-h-[75vh] ProseMirror markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full min-h-6 break-words focus:outline-none writing-block-open-link-mode\" dir=\"auto\" contenteditable=\"true\" translate=\"no\" data-writing-block-fullscreen-editor-region=\"true\" data-writing-block-fullscreen-editor-layout=\"inline\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n<p>The published program is a general description and may be adjusted due to availability, operational requirements, local conditions, or the group\u2019s needs. By registering, each traveler confirms that they have reviewed and accepted our <a href=\"INSERT-TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS-LINK\">Terms and Conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Confirmed trip details, payment information, official meetings and presentations, updates, and final travel documentation will be provided through the official WeTravel page, the final itinerary, and other communications from Pilgrim Groups Travel. Travelers are responsible for reviewing all documents, insurance provisions, entry requirements, and travel instructions provided.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"gap-1565420725\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1565420725 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"tabbed-content\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"nav nav-pills nav-uppercase nav-size-normal nav-center\" role=\"tablist\"><li id=\"tab-itinerary\" class=\"tab active has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#tab_itinerary\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"true\" aria-controls=\"tab_itinerary\"><span>Itinerary<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"tab-our-price-includes\" class=\"tab has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#tab_our-price-includes\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab_our-price-includes\"><span>Our Price Includes<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"tab-media\" class=\"tab has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#tab_media\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab_media\"><span>Media<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"tab-reviews\" class=\"tab has-icon\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"#tab_reviews\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab_reviews\"><span>Reviews<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"tab-panels\"><div id=\"tab_itinerary\" class=\"panel active entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-itinerary\">\n\t<div id=\"gap-75673765\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-75673765 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-section-id=\"pxpa9\" data-start=\"3452\" data-end=\"3472\">Proposed Itinerary<\/h1>\n<div>Proposed Itinerary<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 1 \u2014 USA \u2013 India<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our Pilgrimage Begins<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>At the appropriate time, we will meet at our designated U.S. departure airport and begin our international journey to India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our destination is Chennai, on India\u2019s southeastern coast, where our pilgrimage will begin at one of the most extraordinary Christian sites in Asia.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight flight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 2 \u2014 Arrival in Chennai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Welcome to India<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Upon arrival in Chennai, we will be welcomed by our local team and transferred to our hotel.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Depending on our flight schedule, we will gather for Holy Mass, followed by our welcome dinner.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tonight provides an opportunity to rest and prepare for one of the great moments of our pilgrimage the following morning.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight: Chennai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 3 \u2014 Chennai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>At the Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Today we begin at the spiritual heart of our journey: San Thome Basilica, built over the traditional burial place of St. Thomas the Apostle.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Thomas was one of the Twelve chosen by Christ.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>He was present during Christ\u2019s public ministry and, after initially doubting the testimony of the other disciples, encountered the Risen Christ and made one of the most profound professions of faith in the Gospel:<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u201cMy Lord and my God.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Christian tradition holds that after the Apostles dispersed to proclaim the Gospel, Thomas traveled eastward, eventually reaching India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>At San Thome, we will have time to pray at the place traditionally associated with his tomb and reflect upon the remarkable apostolic roots of Christianity in this land.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Subject to ecclesiastical arrangements, we will seek the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass at or near the shrine of the Apostle.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We then continue to St. Thomas Mount, traditionally associated with his martyrdom, completing a remarkable day following the final chapter of the Apostle\u2019s life.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our exploration of Chennai may also incorporate Fort St. George, providing a very different glimpse into the later colonial history of the city, and the St. Anthony Shrine at Palavakkam, where local Catholics traditionally pray for protection during their journeys.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Chennai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 4 \u2014 Chennai \u2013 Pondicherry \u2013 Vailankanni<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Catholicism on the Coromandel Coast<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After breakfast and morning Mass, we depart Chennai and journey south along India\u2019s eastern coast.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We arrive in Pondicherry, a fascinating city shaped in part by centuries of French influence.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Here we visit the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Following lunch, we continue toward Vailankanni, home to one of the most important Marian pilgrimage destinations in Asia.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Arrival, dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Vailankanni<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 5 \u2014 Vailankanni \u2013 Tiruchirappalli<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our Lady of Good Health<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This morning we pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health at Vailankanni.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Often called the \u201cLourdes of the East,\u201d Vailankanni has become a place of prayer for Christians from across India and beyond.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We will discover the traditions surrounding the Marian events associated with Vailankanni and experience a sanctuary where Catholic devotion has become deeply rooted within Indian culture.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Time will be provided for Holy Mass and personal prayer.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Later, we continue toward Tiruchirappalli, with lunch along the way.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Upon arrival, we may visit the historic Our Lady of Lourdes Church, built in the late 19th century and associated with the Jesuit presence in the region.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Tiruchirappalli<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 6 \u2014 Tiruchirappalli \u2013 Madurai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Civilizations of Southern India<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After breakfast, we visit the celebrated Rock Fort of Tiruchirappalli, dramatically situated upon an ancient rock formation.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our visit provides an opportunity to encounter another dimension of India: the civilizations, religious traditions and political history that form the wider cultural world in which Christianity developed.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We then continue toward Madurai, one of southern India\u2019s great historic cities.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Following arrival and check-in, we visit St. Mary\u2019s Cathedral, an important Catholic church whose architecture reflects a distinctive combination of European and local influences.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Madurai<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 7 \u2014 Madurai \u2013 Kanyakumari<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Faith in the Religious Landscape of India<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This morning we continue our cultural exploration of Madurai.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our program may include the famous Meenakshi Temple complex, approached as an important encounter with India\u2019s religious, artistic and cultural history, as well as the historic Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Understanding these traditions helps us better appreciate the cultural environment in which India\u2019s Christian communities have lived and witnessed to their faith for centuries.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We then continue south toward Kanyakumari, near the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our Catholic pilgrimage continues with sites associated with the missionary history of the region, including the legacy of St. John de Britto, the Jesuit missionary and martyr sometimes called the \u201cJohn the Baptist of India.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Kanyakumari<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 8 \u2014 Kanyakumari \u2013 Thiruvananthapuram \u2013 Kovalam<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Saints &amp; Martyrs of Southern India<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After breakfast, we continue through southern India, with visits to important Catholic sites along our route.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our journey may include St. Xavier\u2019s Cathedral and places associated with the missionary activity of St. Francis Xavier, whose work profoundly influenced the Catholic communities of India\u2019s southern coast.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We will also encounter the story of St. Devasahayam Pillai, an 18th-century Indian convert and martyr canonized by Pope Francis in 2022.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>His witness reminds us that the story of Catholicism in India is not simply the story of European missionaries. It is also the story of Indian Christians who embraced, lived and sometimes gave their lives for the faith.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We continue toward Thiruvananthapuram, where a panoramic visit may introduce us to important landmarks and the vibrant Chalai Market.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Continuation to Kovalam.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Kovalam<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 9 \u2014 Kerala \u2013 Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>From the Legacy of St. Thomas to St. Francis Xavier<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our domestic flight to Goa.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our arrival in Goa begins the final great chapter of our pilgrimage.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>If Chennai introduced us to Christianity associated with the Apostolic Age, Goa introduces us to the extraordinary missionary expansion of the Catholic Church in the early modern world.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our first visits may include the monumental S\u00e9 Cathedral, one of the great historic churches of Old Goa and the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 10 \u2014 Old Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>St. Francis Xavier<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Today we explore the remarkable Christian heritage of Old Goa, whose churches and convents form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The spiritual centerpiece will be the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are venerated.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>One of the founders of the Society of Jesus and among the most remarkable missionaries of the 16th century, Francis Xavier traveled across Asia proclaiming the Gospel and ministering to Christian communities from India to Southeast Asia and Japan.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Here we will have time for prayer and, subject to arrangements, the celebration of the Eucharist.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our exploration of Old Goa may also incorporate the Viceroy\u2019s Arch, Chapel of St. Catherine, Church of St. Cajetan, Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Archaeological Museum, and the evocative ruins of St. Augustine.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 11 \u2014 Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Catholic Heritage of Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Our pilgrimage continues through the extraordinary Catholic heritage of Goa.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We may visit the historic Convent of Santa Monica and the Museum of Christian Art, providing a deeper appreciation of how Christianity developed its own artistic expression in India.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We will also visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, overlooking Old Goa from Monte Santo.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The church possesses its own connection with St. Francis Xavier, who is traditionally associated with teaching catechism here during his missionary activity.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Depending on the final program, our last evening may include a cruise on the Mandovi River, with traditional Goan music and dance, offering an opportunity to celebrate the culture of the region together.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Farewell dinner and overnight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight: Goa<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 12 \u2014 Goa \u2013 USA<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Return Journey<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After breakfast, at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for our return journey to the United States.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Depending on airline schedules, our international itinerary may connect through another major Indian or international airport.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Overnight flight.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u2e3b<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Day 13 \u2014 Arrival in the USA<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Arrival at our home airport.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>We return home after an extraordinary journey through the history of Christianity in India \u2014 from the ancient tradition of St. Thomas the Apostle to the missionary witness of St. Francis Xavier, from India\u2019s Marian devotion to its native saints and martyrs.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>End of our pilgrimage services.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tab_our-price-includes\" class=\"panel entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-our-price-includes\">\n\t<div id=\"gap-2145436440\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-2145436440 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"&#091;--thread-content-max-width:40rem&#093; @w-lg\/main:&#091;--thread-content-max-width:48rem&#093; mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden @&#091;53.5rem&#093;\/main:&#091;--thread-content-max-width:48rem&#093; relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" data-conversation-screenshot-content=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring &#091;.text-message+&amp;&#093;:mt-1\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"1856dcab-c326-5f87-967c-3000cf7d568f\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5.6-sol-wm\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\">\n<ul data-start=\"23\" data-end=\"1325\" data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\">\n<li data-section-id=\"1n21um5\" data-start=\"23\" data-end=\"164\">Round-trip economy-class airfare from the United States to Madrid, subject to the selected departure airport and final flight arrangements.<\/li>\n<li data-section-id=\"1q426d2\" data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1325\" data-is-last-node=\"\">\n<div class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\">\n<div class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:1f0bac20-50ea-432d-b7d1-30a536c89ac1-7\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\">\n<section class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none &#091;&amp;:has(&#091;data-writing-block&#093;)&gt;*&#093;:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-&#091;calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))&#093; scroll-mt-&#091;calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))&#093;\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:1f0bac20-50ea-432d-b7d1-30a536c89ac1-7\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:1f0bac20-50ea-432d-b7d1-30a536c89ac1-7\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-10\" data-turn=\"assistant\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 &#091;--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))&#093; @w-sm\/main:&#091;--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))&#093; @w-lg\/main:&#091;--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))&#093; px-(--thread-content-margin)\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tab_media\" class=\"panel entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-media\">\n\t<div id=\"gap-634475251\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-634475251 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30104K\u3011Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade (Serbia) - Full Walking Tour - With Captions [CC]\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BS-h2xrrxd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-778301405\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-330142714\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30104K\u3011Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade (Serbia) - Full Walking Tour - With Captions [CC]\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BS-h2xrrxd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1275522220\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30104K\u3011Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade (Serbia) - Full Walking Tour - With Captions [CC]\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BS-h2xrrxd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1711132222\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"video video-fit mb\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u30104K\u3011Saint Sava Temple, Belgrade (Serbia) - Full Walking Tour - With Captions [CC]\" width=\"1020\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BS-h2xrrxd4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tab_reviews\" class=\"panel entry-content\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"tab-reviews\">\n\t<div id=\"gap-672848061\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-672848061 {\n  padding-top: 25px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1565486821\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-402430368\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do<\/h3>\n<h4>CUSTOMER NAME<\/h4>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-784823422\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"gap-377859207\" class=\"gap-element clearfix hide-for-medium\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-377859207 {\n  padding-top: 100px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-328876763\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1715581829\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do<\/h3>\n<h4>CUSTOMER NAME<\/h4>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1782929037\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"gap-944215150\" class=\"gap-element clearfix hide-for-medium\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-944215150 {\n  padding-top: 100px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-131755420\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-2059854640\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do<\/h3>\n<h4>CUSTOMER NAME<\/h4>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1864845404\" class=\"col medium-8 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n<p>Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pilgrimage to India and pray at the Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle in Chennai, visiting Vailankanni, southern India\u2019s Catholic shrines and St. Francis Xavier in Goa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[73,74,43],"product_tag":[205,199,207,194,206,198,204,201,85,195,202,197,203,193,196,192,200],"class_list":{"0":"post-903","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","5":"product_cat-asia","6":"product_cat-footsteps-of-saints-and-martyrs","7":"product_cat-footsteps-of-the-apostles","8":"product_tag-apostles","9":"product_tag-basilica-of-bom-jesus","10":"product_tag-catholic-india","11":"product_tag-chennai","12":"product_tag-early-church","13":"product_tag-goa","14":"product_tag-india","15":"product_tag-our-lady-of-good-health","16":"product_tag-parish-pilgrimages","17":"product_tag-san-thome-basilica","18":"product_tag-st-devasahayam","19":"product_tag-st-francis-xavier","20":"product_tag-st-john-de-britto","21":"product_tag-st-thomas-india","22":"product_tag-st-thomas-mount","23":"product_tag-st-thomas-the-apostle","24":"product_tag-vailankanni","26":"first","27":"instock","28":"shipping-taxable","29":"product-type-simple"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=903"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=903"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pilgrimgroupstravel.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}