DAY 1 — Departure • Overnight Flight to Spain

Departure from the airport of origin on our international flight to Madrid.

Our pilgrimage begins in a spirit of prayer as we prepare to follow a unique spiritual route through Spain, approaching some of the sacred relics that Christian tradition has associated with the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Meals and overnight in flight.

DAY 2 — Madrid • Valladolid

Arrival at Madrid International Airport, where we will be welcomed by our accompanying team.

Departure by private motorcoach toward Valladolid, in the heart of Castile.

After arrival, time to settle into our hotel and rest following the international journey. Depending upon arrival schedules, there may be time for an initial walk through the historic center.

This evening we gather for our welcome dinner and introduction to the spiritual meaning of the pilgrimage.

Dinner and overnight in Valladolid.

DAY 3 — The Crown of Thorns Valladolid • Monastery of Santa Espina • Oviedo

Our encounter with the relics of the Passion begins with one of the most powerful images of Good Friday: the Crown of Thorns.

We travel to the historic Monastery of Santa Espina, founded in the 12th century, where a relic traditionally venerated as a thorn from the Crown of Christ has been preserved and honored for generations.

The Gospel tells us that the soldiers placed a crown of thorns upon the head of Jesus, mocking Him as King.

Here the pilgrim is invited not simply to observe a historic relic, but to contemplate the humiliation freely accepted by Christ:

“Hail, King of the Jews.”

Time will be dedicated to prayer and, whenever arrangements permit, celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

We continue north through the landscapes of Spain toward Oviedo, ancient capital of the Kingdom of Asturias.

Dinner and overnight in Oviedo.

DAY 4 — The Holy Shroud of Oviedo • Oviedo

Today we encounter one of the most fascinating relics associated with the burial of Christ.

At the magnificent Cathedral of San Salvador, we enter the historic Holy Chamber, home to the Santo Sudario — the Holy Shroud of Oviedo.

The cloth has been venerated for centuries as the cloth associated by tradition with the face of Christ following the Crucifixion.

Our visit also introduces us to the extraordinary collection of relics preserved in Oviedo, including the historic Holy Ark and the traditional Jar of the Wedding Feast at Cana.

This becomes a day centered upon the mystery of Christ’s death and burial.

Time for Holy Mass, personal prayer and veneration, followed by an opportunity to discover Oviedo’s beautiful historic center.

Dinner and overnight in Oviedo.

DAY 5 — The True Cross Oviedo • Covadonga • Santo Toribio de Liébana • Santander

Our journey today brings together Mary and the Cross.

We first travel through the mountains of Asturias to Covadonga, one of the great spiritual places of northern Spain.

Here, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, we visit the Holy Cave and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Covadonga.

Mary accompanied Christ to Calvary and remained at the foot of the Cross. Her presence within our pilgrimage reminds us that contemplation of the Passion is inseparable from the Mother who remained faithful beside her Son.

We then continue through the spectacular landscapes of northern Spain toward Santo Toribio de Liébana.

Here pilgrims encounter one of the great treasures of Spanish Christianity: the Lignum Crucis, venerated as a major surviving fragment of the True Cross of Christ.

Before the Cross, our pilgrimage reaches one of its deepest moments of prayer.

The instrument of Roman execution became, through Christ, the sign of salvation.

Time for veneration and prayer before continuing toward Santander.

Dinner and overnight in Santander.

DAY 6 — From Northern Spain to Our Lady of the Pillar

Santander • La Rioja • Zaragoza

After breakfast, we begin our journey toward Zaragoza.

Along the way, we travel through La Rioja, one of Spain’s most celebrated wine regions. Depending upon the final program, our journey can include a winery visit and tasting, allowing pilgrims to enjoy another dimension of Spain’s culture and hospitality.

We then continue to Zaragoza.

Here stands the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of the great Marian sanctuaries of the Catholic world.

According to ancient tradition, while the Virgin Mary was still living, she appeared to St. James the Greater as he evangelized Hispania, leaving a column — the Pilar — as a sign of her maternal presence and encouragement.

For our pilgrims, Zaragoza becomes a reminder that the apostolic origins of Christianity in Spain and devotion to Mary are deeply intertwined.

Time for prayer before the Holy Pillar.

Dinner and overnight in Zaragoza.

DAY 7 — Zaragoza • Valencia

From the Pillar to the City of the Holy Chalice

This morning we continue discovering the spiritual heritage of Zaragoza, with time for the celebration of Holy Mass and further prayer at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.

We then depart toward the Mediterranean and the city of Valencia.

Our arrival brings us closer to the final great relic of our journey: the Holy Chalice.

Before encountering it, however, we begin discovering Valencia, a city where two thousand years of history, Mediterranean culture and Catholic tradition meet.

Depending upon schedules, our visit may include a panoramic introduction to the city and its celebrated City of Arts and Sciences.

Dinner and overnight in Valencia.

DAY 8 The Cross of Caravaca Valencia • Caravaca de la Cruz • Valencia

Today we make a pilgrimage within our pilgrimage.

We travel south toward the holy city of Caravaca de la Cruz, one of Spain’s great centers of devotion to the Cross of Christ.

The city developed around the veneration of the Vera Cruz de Caravaca, preserved within its sanctuary overlooking the historic town.

Our visit is deliberately devotional.

Pilgrims may begin at the Church of El Salvador and, when circumstances permit, ascend toward the Sanctuary, recalling that Christian pilgrimage itself is an image of our journey toward God.

At the Basilica-Sanctuary we will have the opportunity to participate in the Pilgrim’s Mass, subject to the sanctuary’s schedule, and venerate the Cross.

Caravaca is not simply another stop on the itinerary.

After contemplating the Crown of Thorns and the Holy Shroud, and praying before the Lignum Crucis, here we are invited to stand spiritually at Calvary.

The Cross is no longer merely an instrument of suffering.

For the Christian, it is the sign that love has conquered death.

Return to Valencia.

Dinner and overnight in Valencia.

DAY 9: The Holy Chalice of the Last Supper • Valencia

The culmination of our pilgrimage takes us not chronologically to the end of the Passion, but back to its beginning:

The Upper Room.

Our day begins by discovering the Christian heritage of Valencia, including the spectacular Church of San Nicolás, sometimes known as the Valencian “Sistine Chapel.”

We will also visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, one of the principal centers of Marian devotion in Valencia.

Finally, we enter Valencia Cathedral.

Within a chapel of this ancient cathedral is preserved the Santo Cáliz — the Holy Chalice, an ancient cup that has been venerated for centuries and traditionally associated with the chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

Here our entire pilgrimage comes together.

Before entering His Passion, Christ took the cup and gave it to His disciples:

“This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.”

The Eucharist anticipated Calvary.

And so our journey from the Crown of Thorns, Shroud and Cross ultimately brings us to the Chalice — and to the Eucharistic mystery through which the sacrifice of Christ remains sacramentally present to His Church.

Time will be provided for prayer, Holy Mass and a visit to the Museum of the Holy Chalice.

The day may also include a visit to the Albufera Natural Park, with a traditional meal and boat ride, providing a relaxed conclusion to our time together in Spain.

Farewell dinner and overnight in Valencia.

DAY 10 — Valencia • Return Home

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the appointed time, transfer to Valencia Airport for our return flight.

We leave Spain having made a journey through some of Christianity’s most profound symbols:

The Thorn reminds us of His Pain.
The Shroud reminds us of His death.
The Cross reminds us of His sacrifice.
The Chalice reminds us that He continues to give Himself to His Church.

May we return home not simply having seen sacred relics, but having entered more deeply into the mystery they proclaim:

Jesus Christ, crucified and risen for our salvation.

End of our services.

 The exact inclusions can be adapted to each parish or group. A typical Pilgrim Groups Travel program can include:

• Round-trip international airfare
• Accommodation in carefully selected 4-star and 5-star hotels
• Breakfast and dinner throughout the pilgrimage
• Selected lunches and special gastronomic experiences
• Modern private motorcoach throughout the itinerary
• Professional accompanying guide
• Local guides where required
• Entrance fees to the principal sites included in the program
• Reservations for daily Holy Mass, subject to church and sanctuary availability
• Pilgrim certificate
• Basic travel assistance insurance
• Pilgrimage materials
• Support from our team before and throughout the journey

Our Price Does Not Typically Include

• Lunches unless specifically indicated
• Beverages not included with contracted meals
• Personal expenses
• Optional excursions or activities
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Optional travel cancellation insurance
• Any service not expressly indicated under “Our Price Includes”