7 days/6 nights. Begin your pilgrimage to Fatima with a night in cosmopolitan Lisbon then continue to Santarem and the Church of St Stephen, home to the oldest recorded Eucharistic miracle, before arriving in Fatima for the next 5 nights. Airfare from your U.S. home city is available. Daily breakfast and dinner are included.

Note:

This pilgrimage was designed for those who would like to pray, reflect, and spend more time in Fatima. As a result, your itinerary is planned accordingly: The first three days will be sightseeing with your group, spiritual director and guide. The following three days will be dedicated to private prayer and reflection. During the latter part of your trip, you will have full discretion over how your time is spent in order to have the fullest spiritual experience possible.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrive Lisbon

Upon landing at the Lisbon Portela Airport, you will make your way to the baggage claim area and collect your luggage. Then, you will proceed to the Arrival’s Hall where you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver. You will be escorted to the vehicle which will take you on a sightseeing tour of the coastal city of Lisbon. This tour begins at the city’s oldest cathedral, the Lisbon Cathedral. This Romanesque structure truly emanates the ancient culture and history that Lisbon holds. The tour continues on to St. Jerome’s Monastery, built to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for guiding Vasco da Gama on his voyage that linked Europe and Asia. In this Monastery, you will clearly observe the maritime theme that commemorates the Portuguese triumph during the Age of Exploration (15th-17th centuries). The next stop is St. Anthony’s Church. Although this patron Saint of lost things is known as St. Anthony of Padua (Italy), he was originally born in Lisbon, Portugal. This Church is built upon the site of St. Anthony’s birth, and is also where St. John Paul II visited in 1982. The former Pope stopped at this Church, on his way to Fatima, to pray to Our Lady in thanksgiving. St. John Paul II recognizes Our Lady as saving him from being killed when he was shot one year prior, in 1981. Following, you will visit the Belem Quarter that contains the iconic entry way to the Lisbon harbor, the Belem Tower. While at this important structure of history, you will view many beautiful sculptures such as depictions of, St. Vincent and Our Lady of Safe Homecoming. The tour continues as you will have the opportunity to view the “25th of April Bridge”, inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, California. The Ponte 25 de Abril is the oldest bridge that connects the Tagus river of Lisbon. Our tour culminates with a visit to the Discoveries Monument. This memorial commemorates the Great Explorers who, as a result of their explorations, brought Portugal to a standing of wealth and power during the Age of Discovery. This ship prow shaped structure stands at the point where the Great Explorers began their expeditions. In addition to these sites, the drive of your tour will include a “pass-by” view of the Basilica of the Star, the Rossio Square, Commerce Square, and the Marquee of Pomba Square. After a fun-filled day of sightseeing, you will enjoy a welcoming dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Days 2 - Lisbon - Santarem - Fatima

Today, your group will travel about forty-five miles north to the old city of Santarem. In Santarem, your group will visit and attend Mass at the Church of St. Stephen, which holds the oldest (13th century) recorded Eucharistic.

The Miracle:

The Miracle occurred when a woman yearned to change the ways of her unfaithful husband and consulted a sorceress. The sorceress agreed that she would cure the husband’s infidelity in exchange for a consecrated Host. The woman committed the sacrilege, but when she exited the church, the Host began to bleed. It bled so much that her fellow parishioners thought she had cut her hand. The woman ran home and hid the bleeding Host in a trunk. When her husband arrived home, the wife told him what she had done, and later that night there was a light emanating from the trunk. She and her husband began to kneel before the trunk. The following morning, the husband and wife brought the Host to the parish priest It was then moved to the Church of St. Stephen where another miracle occurred; the miraculous Host was originally put in a wax container however, when a priest opened the tabernacle to view the Host, the container was found broken, and the Host was found enclosed in a crystal pyx. Following your visit to this miraculous site, your group will board the bus and transfer to Fatima (approximately forty-five minutes).You will arrive in time for dinner at your hotel, and a restful overnight.

Days 3 - Fatima

Today will surely be a memorable experience as you pray and meditate upon one of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition sites. Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children; Lucia (age 10), Jacinta (age 7), and Francisco (age 9). These apparitions occurred monthly from May until October of 1917. Historically, as the entire world was in true turmoil, Our Lady’s most prominent message during this time was to pray for world peace. The destruction of the world at that point in history was also mentioned by Our Lady in her messages of Fatima, and more specifically, in her second secret to the children. Our profoundly reflective day begins with Mass at the Little Chapel of the Apparitions. This simple, yet modern, chapel is the site of where the Virgin Mary first appeared on May 13, 1917. Following Mass, your tour of Fatima begins at the stunning neoclassical church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima. This Sacred space contains the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta, as well as, a Monument that commemorates the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Due to Our Lady’s consistency in Her messages to pray the Rosary, this Basilica also features fifteen altars that are dedicated to the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Upon arriving at this Basilica, you will be able to feel, through the Love of Our Lord and Lady, the many graces that were received here. Following this visit, your tour will continue to the Hamlet of Aljustrel, the home of the three shepherd children; and Valinhos, the site of Our Lady’s August 1917 apparition. Next, your tour culminates as you and your fellow pilgrims experience Christ’s unconditional love by participating in the Stations of the Cross along the Via Sacre. The “Sacred Way” marks the path taken by the shepherd children of Fatima to their first apparition with Our Lady. It is composed of fourteen small chapels in commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord. The fifteenth station, the Resurrection, can be found below in the Chapel of Calvary, dedicated to St. Stephen of Hungary. Your night will conclude with private devotions, and a candlelight procession, requested by Our Lady (1917). Enjoy dinner and a comfortable night’s rest in Fatima.

Day 4 to 6 - Fatima

There will not be a Spiritual Director and guide accompanying you for the next 3 days. As mention these 3 days are for personal time and reflection. You will at walking distance from the Basilica, and at a short taxi ride from all main religious and non-religious landmarks in Fatima and surroundings. 

Day 7 - Fatima - Farewell

Today you will enjoy an early morning breakfast, and say farewell to your fellow pilgrims and a pilgrimage that will be embedded in your hearts forever. You will transfer to the Lisbon airport for your return flight(s) home.