A Pilgrimage Through Portugal, France & Spain
13 Days / 11 Nights | Fátima, Paris, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Rocamadour, Lourdes & Barcelona | Available for Parish and Catholic Groups
A Journey Through the Marian Heart of Europe
From Our Lady of Fátima to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, this pilgrimage brings us to some of the most beloved sanctuaries of the Catholic world.
Our journey begins in Portugal at Fátima, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the three shepherd children in 1917 and entrusted them with a message of prayer, conversion and peace that continues to draw pilgrims from around the world.
We then travel to France, where our pilgrimage takes us far beyond its famous cities.
In Paris, we will pray at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, associated with the apparitions to St. Catherine Labouré, while also discovering Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur and the beauty of the French capital.
From there, we journey into the spiritual heart of France: Paray-le-Monial, where Christ revealed the devotion to His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque; Ars, home of St. John Vianney; and the spectacular medieval sanctuary of Rocamadour, where pilgrims have prayed before its ancient Black Madonna for centuries.
Our journey reaches another of its great spiritual moments in Lourdes, where we will have time not simply to visit, but to participate in the prayer and liturgical life of the sanctuary.
Finally, crossing the Pyrenees into Spain, we conclude in Barcelona, where the soaring Basilica of the Sagrada Família provides a magnificent final expression of how faith, beauty and sacred art can come together.
It is a pilgrimage through three countries, great Marian sanctuaries, saints, apparitions and centuries of Catholic history — designed especially for parishes and Catholic communities seeking to travel together in faith.
Pilgrimage Highlights
- Our Lady of Fátima — spend two nights in one of the world’s great Marian pilgrimage destinations.
- Chapel of the Apparitions — pray at the heart of the Fátima Sanctuary.
- Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto — pray at the tombs of the shepherd children in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.
- Aljustrel — possibility of visiting the village and homes associated with the three shepherd children.
- Miraculous Medal Chapel — pray at the Paris chapel associated with the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Catherine Labouré.
- Notre-Dame de Paris — discover the spiritual and artistic heritage of one of Christianity’s great cathedrals.
- Sacré-Cœur — pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart overlooking Paris.
- Paris — experience the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and other landmarks of the French capital.
- Seine River Cruise — possibility of experiencing Paris from the river.
- Paray-le-Monial — discover the sanctuary at the heart of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque — pray in the place associated with the apparitions of the Sacred Heart.
- Ars & St. John Vianney — visit the village where the Curé of Ars carried out his extraordinary priestly ministry.
- Rocamadour — discover one of France’s most spectacular medieval pilgrimage sanctuaries and its ancient Black Madonna.
- Our Lady of Lourdes — spend a full day at one of the most important Marian sanctuaries in the world.
- Grotto of Massabielle — pray at the place where the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette.
- Sagrada Família — encounter Gaudí’s extraordinary basilica in Barcelona.
- Sacred Heart of Tibidabo — possibility of visiting the hilltop church overlooking Barcelona.
- Opportunities for Holy Mass, prayer and spiritual reflection throughout the pilgrimage.
A Pilgrimage Designed Around Your Parish
Marian Europe: Fátima, Lourdes & the Shrines of France can be customized according to the pastoral objectives, available time and budget of each parish, diocese or Catholic organization.
Depending on group interests and availability, possibilities may include daily Mass arrangements, additional time in Fátima or Lourdes, the homes of the Fátima visionaries, additional Catholic sites in Paris, Lisieux and St. Thérèse, Nevers and St. Bernadette, additional Sacred Heart experiences, Ars, additional Marian sanctuaries, cultural visits, special dinners and additional nights in Paris or Barcelona.
For groups seeking a shorter pilgrimage, the itinerary can also be adapted to focus primarily on Fátima, Paris and Lourdes.
Three Countries, One Journey of Faith
This pilgrimage connects places that at first seem very different.
A small Portuguese village where three shepherd children encountered Our Lady.
A chapel hidden among the streets of Paris where a young religious sister received a mission that would spread the Miraculous Medal throughout the world.
A quiet French town where St. Margaret Mary Alacoque contemplated the Sacred Heart of Christ.
The parish of St. John Vianney, whose humble ministry transformed countless lives.
An ancient sanctuary clinging to the cliffs of Rocamadour.
And the grotto at Lourdes where a young St. Bernadette heard the words:
“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Together, they form something greater than a collection of destinations.
They tell a story of Mary continually pointing toward Christ, of saints responding to grace, and of generations of ordinary Christians setting out on pilgrimage in search of God.
The source program itself was conceived as a journey connecting Fátima, Paris, Paray-le-Monial, Ars, Rocamadour, Lourdes and Barcelona through prayer, Marian devotion, the Sacred Heart and the witness of the saints.
Important Information and Terms and Conditions
The published program is a general description and may be adjusted due to availability, operational requirements, local conditions, or the group’s needs. By registering, each traveler confirms that they have reviewed and accepted our Terms and Conditions.
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.
Proposed Itinerary
Day 1 — USA – Portugal
Our Pilgrimage Begins
At the appropriate time, we meet at our designated U.S. departure airport and begin our journey to Europe.
We board our overnight transatlantic flight toward Portugal, where our pilgrimage will begin at one of the great Marian sanctuaries of the Catholic world.
Overnight flight to Europe.
Day 2 — Arrival in Portugal – Fátima
Welcome to Fátima
Upon arrival in Portugal, we will be welcomed by our local team and travel toward Fátima.
Our arrival brings us immediately into the spiritual heart of our pilgrimage.
It was here in 1917 that the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the shepherd children Lucia dos Santos and Francisco and Jacinta Marto, calling the world to prayer, conversion and peace.
Depending on arrival time, we will have our first opportunity to enter the sanctuary, pray together and become acquainted with this extraordinary place.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Fátima
Day 3 — Fátima
Our Lady of Fátima
Today is devoted entirely to Fátima, allowing us to experience the sanctuary as pilgrims rather than simply as visitors.
We will pray at the Chapel of the Apparitions, built at the heart of the place where Our Lady appeared in 1917.
We will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the tombs of the shepherd children are located, as well as the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.
Depending on the final program, we may also travel to Aljustrel, the nearby village where the shepherd children lived, and discover additional sites associated with the apparitions.
Time will be provided for Holy Mass, personal prayer and participation in the devotional life of the sanctuary.
Depending on the season and official sanctuary program, pilgrims may also have the opportunity to participate in the evening Rosary and candlelight procession.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Fátima
Day 4 — Fátima – Paris
From Portugal to France
After breakfast, we say farewell to Fátima and transfer to the airport for our flight to Paris.
Upon arrival in France, we will be welcomed and transferred to our hotel.
Depending on flight schedules, the remainder of the day may include a first panoramic introduction to Paris or time to rest before beginning the French portion of our pilgrimage.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Paris
Day 5 — Paris
The City of Light
Today we discover some of the great cultural landmarks of Paris.
Our panoramic exploration may introduce us to the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Eiffel Tower and other iconic sites that have made Paris one of the world’s great cities.
The pilgrimage is designed to combine its spiritual purpose with an appreciation of the history, art and culture of the destinations through which we travel.
Later, depending on the final program, we may enjoy a cruise along the Seine River, seeing many of Paris’s great monuments from a different perspective.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Paris
Day 6 — Catholic & Marian Paris
The Miraculous Medal, Notre-Dame & Sacré-Cœur
Today we turn our attention to the Catholic heart of Paris.
One of the principal destinations of our pilgrimage will be the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Rue du Bac, where the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830.
Here we will have time for prayer and the opportunity to encounter the remarkable story behind one of the most widely recognized Marian sacramentals in the Catholic world.
We will also visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, the historic spiritual heart of Paris, and continue to Sacré-Cœur, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart overlooking the city from Montmartre.
Depending on schedules and group interests, additional Catholic sites may be incorporated into our day.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Paris
Day 7 — Paris – Paray-le-Monial
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
After breakfast, we leave Paris and journey through the French countryside toward Paray-le-Monial.
This small Burgundian town became one of the great spiritual centers of Catholic France through the experiences of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Here, between 1673 and 1675, she received the apparitions of Christ associated with the spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
We will visit the principal sanctuary sites associated with the saint and the Sacred Heart, with time for prayer and, subject to arrangements, Holy Mass.
Our pilgrimage today allows us to reflect more deeply upon Christ’s merciful love and one of the great devotions of modern Catholic spirituality.
Dinner and overnight in the region.
Day 8 — Ars – Rocamadour
St. John Vianney & the Black Madonna
Today we travel first to Ars-sur-Formans, the village forever associated with St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and patron saint of parish priests.
Here we will discover the places associated with his remarkable ministry and have the opportunity to pray before his remains.
Subject to arrangements, Holy Mass may be celebrated in Ars.
We then continue south toward one of the most spectacular pilgrimage destinations in France: Rocamadour.
Built dramatically against a cliff, Rocamadour has welcomed Christian pilgrims for centuries.
At the heart of the sanctuary is the revered Black Madonna of Rocamadour, before whom generations of pilgrims, kings and saints have prayed.
We will discover the sanctuary and its extraordinary setting before continuing to our hotel.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in the Rocamadour/Cahors region.
The original program specifically combines Ars and Rocamadour on this day, including the opportunity to visit the remains of St. John Vianney before continuing to the Marian sanctuary and its Black Madonna.
Day 9 — Rocamadour Region – Lourdes
Journey to the Pyrenees
After breakfast, we continue our journey through southwestern France toward the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Our destination is Lourdes, one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the Catholic world.
Upon arrival, we will settle into our hotel and begin our encounter with the sanctuary.
Depending on our arrival time and the official sanctuary schedule, there may be an opportunity for an introductory visit, Holy Mass, personal prayer or participation in the evening devotions.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Lourdes
Day 10 — Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes
Today is dedicated entirely to Lourdes.
Rather than treating the sanctuary as a short sightseeing visit, we allow pilgrims time to participate in its life of prayer.
We will visit the Grotto of Massabielle, where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, and discover the principal churches and sacred spaces of the sanctuary.
Depending on the official program, our day may include Holy Mass, the Rosary, the Way of the Cross, personal prayer, the baths or water gesture, Eucharistic devotions and the evening Marian candlelight procession.
There will also be time for individual prayer and reflection.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Lourdes
Day 11 — Lourdes – Barcelona
Across the Pyrenees into Spain
After breakfast, we leave Lourdes and travel across the Pyrenees toward Spain.
Our destination is Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Catalonia and home to one of the most extraordinary churches of the modern era.
Upon arrival, we will enjoy our first introduction to the city before transferring to our hotel.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 12 — Barcelona
Sagrada Família & the Sacred Heart
Our final full day is devoted to Barcelona.
The spiritual and artistic centerpiece will be the magnificent Basilica of the Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s extraordinary masterpiece.
More than simply an architectural landmark, the basilica was conceived as an expression of Christian theology in stone, light and symbolism.
With our guide, we will discover how its façades, towers and interior communicate the story of Christ’s Nativity, Passion and Glory.
Depending on the final program, we may also ascend toward Tibidabo to visit the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor — the Expiatory Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, overlooking Barcelona and the Mediterranean.
The remainder of the day may incorporate additional highlights of Barcelona, free time or a farewell gathering.
Dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Barcelona
Day 13 — Barcelona – USA
Return Home
After breakfast, at the appropriate time, transfer to Barcelona Airport for our return flight to the United States.
We return home after having prayed at Fátima and Lourdes, encountered the Miraculous Medal in Paris, contemplated the Sacred Heart at Paray-le-Monial, followed St. John Vianney to Ars, knelt before the Black Madonna of Rocamadour and experienced the beauty of Christian art in Barcelona.
More importantly, we return having shared these experiences together as a community of faith.
Arrival in the United States and end of our pilgrimage services.
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