Archbishop Roger Schwietz, OMI Spiritual Director

September 29 - October 8, 2009 PACKAGE INCLUDES: Round-trip airfare from the United States, first-class hotels, daily Mass, private motor coach and tour guide the entire time, sightseeing as listed in the day to day itinerary, Catholic Trip luggage tag & lanyard and Catholic Book of Prayers. This pilgrimage is under the spiritual direction of Archbishop Roger Schwietz, OMI and is personally escorted by Catholic Trips founder, Jim West.

Jim West Catholic Trips Founder

TRIP ITINERARY

Tuesday, September 29th
We begin our pilgrimage with an overnight flight to France. Depending on the flight schedule and the departure city, there may be a stop Germany to change planes. During the flight, dinner will be served onboard the airplane. D

Wednesday, September 30th
Before our arrival into France, a breakfast snack will be served onboard the plane. Upon arrival to the Toulouse Airport, we will collect our luggage, meet our motorcoach driver and proceed to the town of LOURDES. We will check into our first-class hotel where we will stay for the next four nights. A special “welcome dinner” will be served at our hotel, hosted by Archbishop Roger Schwietz, O.M.I and Catholic Trips founder, Jim West. B, D DURING OUR TIME IN LOURDES, THERE WILL BE MANY OPPORUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP AND PRAYER AND TIME TO REFLECT ON YOUR OWN. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TOURS, MASSES AND ACTIVITIES SCHEDULED, PLEASE DO NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THEM IF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GUIDING YOU IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. LET YOUR TIME IN LOURDES NOURISH YOU IN WAYS THAT YOU PERSONALLY NEED TO BE NOURISHED.

Thursday, October 1st
This morning, following breakfast, a local expert tour guide will meet us at our hotel and we will enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the Holy grounds of Lourdes. Our tour will include visiting the Immaculate Conception Basilica, the Rosary Basilica, the Holy Grotto and other important sights. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure. Before dinner tonight, Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy Mass in one of the Basilica’s. Following dinner, a very special candlelight procession will take place (weather permitting), and we are all invited to participate. B, D

Friday, October 2nd
This morning is an opportunity for us to enjoy the holy sights here in Lourdes. There will be an opportunity to participate in a special Stations of the Cross, enjoy Holy mass celebrated by Archbishop Schwietz, spend some time in the Adoration Chapel and cleanse ourselves in the Holy Bath waters from the Grotto. In the afternoon, we will meet our guide once again, who will take us on a tour to important places relating to the life of St. Bernadette. Tonight before dinner, Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy Mass. Dinner will be served at our hotel and the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. You may opt to participate in the candlelight procession once again. B, D

Saturday, October 3rd
Today is an opportunity to enjoy our final day in Lourdes at your leisure. There are plenty of religious shops in town to purchase souvenirs, as well as time for you to collect Holy water from the spring at the Grotto to bring back to loved ones. There will be an opportunity to participate in a private Stations of the Cross if you are interested. Tonight Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy Mass before we all enjoy dinner at our hotel. There will be time following dinner for a rosary and fellowship. B, D

Sunday, October 4th
This morning, very early, we will check out of our hotel and enjoy a box breakfast on our motorcoach as we drive through the countryside towns of France, on our journey to the town of NEVERS. This is an 8-9 hour drive, and there will be frequent stops for restroom breaks and lunch along the way. Upon our arrival into Nevers, we will check into the St. Gildard Convent, a small simple dormitory for our accommodations for the night. What makes this place so special is that it is the final resting place of St. Bernadette, and it’s here where her incorrupt body rests in the chapel located next to our sleeping accommodations. Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy mass in this chapel once we settle in. Dinner will be served following mass and the rest of the evening is at your leisure for prayer and reflection. B, D

Monday, October 5th
This morning, following breakfast, we will meet with one of the sisters who will provide a walking tour of the convent and museum, and provide a fascinating narrative of the life of St. Bernadette. At the completion of our tour, we will board our motorcoach and drive to PARIS. We will stop for restroom breaks and lunch along the way.
Upon arrival into Paris, we will meet our local guide who will board our motorcoach and provide a panoramic tour of Paris. This tour will include a drive past the Lourve Museum, the Arch de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower and many other recognizable sights. We will arrive at the Church of St. Vincent De Paul for a short visit and then cross the street to visit the Church of the Miraculous Medal. Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy mass in the Pilgrims Chapel. Following this, our driver will take us to our hotel where we will check in and get settled. Following dinner on your own tonight, we will all enjoy a boat ride on the River Seine and see Paris “lit up” at night. Don’t forget your cameras! B

Tuesday, October 6th
This morning we will have a very early breakfast and drive to the town of LISIEUX. The drive will take us approximately 2-3 hours as we drive through the French countryside. Upon our arrival, we will meet a local guide who will take us on an informative tour, describing the life of St. Therese the Little Flower. We will visit the childhood home of St. Therese and learn more about her miraculous life. Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy mass at the Basilica before we return back to Paris. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B

Wednesday, October 7th
Today, following breakfast, we will meet our guide once again, who will provide a tour of Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur. Archbishop Schwietz will celebrate Holy mass in the side chapel at the Sacre Coeur. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. From sightseeing and shopping to visiting major attractions and museums, the dynamic city of Paris offers a variety of exciting things to do. Tonight we all enjoy a special “farewell dinner.” B, D

Thursday, October 8th
This morning, following an early breakfast, we will pack our luggage and drive to the airport where we will check-in for our flight back to the United States. Lunch will be served on the plane. B, L

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This itinerary and all mass times are subject to change. Gratuities for the hotel housekeeping staff, porters at the hotels, waiters in the restaurants, our tour guides and our bus driver, all totaling 65 Euro, are not included in the pricing and will be collected on the second day of the tour. Passports are required to participate on this pilgrimage. Insurance is highly recommended. Please consult our as they apply once the first deposit is made. All prices are based on double occupancy, single rates are available.