Pilgrimage Itinerary



Day 1 - Arrive Fatima Wednesday, 7th August

This afternoon we will depart from Dublin to Lisbon and upon arrival meet our Marian Pilgrimages guide who will accompany us to Fatima. Upon arrival, we will have a light snack before checking into our rooms.

Day 2 - Guided tour of the sanctuary Thursday, 8th August

This morning we will begin our introduction to Fatima with a guided tour of the sanctuary which will include visits to the Chapel of the Apparitions (considered as �the heart� of the Marian Shrine and where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917; the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary (where we will see the tombs of the three little shepherds: Lucia do Santos, St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto); and the modern Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims arriving in Fatima. After lunch we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage in the Chapel of the Apparitions and have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. After dinner we will join with fellow pilgrims in the sanctuary for Rosary and the Candlelight Procession.

Day 3 - Valinhos & Aljustrel Friday, 9th August

After morning Mass, we will walk the Hungarian Way of the Cross - The �Sacred Way� marks the path taken by the three shepherd children when they came from Aljustrel to Cova da Iria to graze their herds. Our guide will take us to Valinhos, the site of the 4th apparition of Our Lady on August 19th, 1917. After time for prayer, we will walk to Loca do Cabeco where the first and third apparition of the Guardian Angel of Portugal (also known as the Angel of Peace) took place. Afterwards, in Aljustrel, we will see the late 19th century family houses of the children. Our morning tour will conclude with a visit to the Parish Church of Fatima where the three shepherd children were baptised. We will return to our hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure for private prayer. After dinner there will be Rosary in the sanctuary, followed by the Candlelight Procession.

Day 4 - Excursion to Nazar� Saturday, 10th August

After morning Mass, we will have the opportunity to spend some time at the sanctuary and in the afternoon will enjoy a trip to the seaside town of Nazare. We will first stop at Sitio on the cliffs and go to the Church of Our Lady of Nazare to see the ancient statue of Our Lady dating back to the early days of Christianity that legend tells us may have been carved by St. Joseph. Afterwards we will drive down to the promenade where there will be time to browse through the shops or sit and have coffee or some fresh sardines for which Nazare is famous. We will return to Fatima in time for dinner and then attend the Rosary and Candlelight procession.

Day 5 - International Mass Sunday, 11th August

This morning, we will attend the International Mass at the sanctuary and in the afternoon have the opportunity to visit the museum, where amongst the many treasures that have been carefully preserved, one will find the precious crown of Our Lady of Fatima, where the bullet which hit Blessed John Paul II is encased.

Day 6 - Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem Monday, 12th August

This morning, we will drive to the historical town of Santarem and Church of the Holy Miracle where we will celebrate Mass. The Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem which dates to 1247, is considered amongst one the most important Eucharistic Miracles. Today we will have the opportunity to venerate the relics of this Eucharistic Miracle which have been carefully preserved for centuries in the church dedicated to St. Stephen. After time for private prayer, we will return to Fatima and have the afternoon at leisure.

Day 7 - Relic of St. Brigid & Lisbon Tuesday, 13th August

This morning our guide will take us to the village of Lumiar, located just six miles from Lisbon. We will visit the parish church of St. John the Baptist, where carefully preserved in a precious reliquary is part of the skull of St. Brigid. We will hear about the arrival of the skull of St. Brigid in Lumiar and afterwards venerate this special relic. We will continue onto the capital city of Lisbon and visit the Church of St. Anthony, built on the site where St. Anthony was born in 1195, and dedicated to the saint, known as a matchmaker and patron saint for the recovery of lost items. St. Anthony has always been the most popular saint in Lisbon, and his statue, blessed by Pope John Paul II on his visit to Lisbon in 1982, stands outside the church. We will have free time for lunch and shopping before returning to Fatima.

Day 8 Wednesday, 14th August

This morning we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and have free time for lunch before driving to Porto airport for our return flight to Dublin.