Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

DAY 1 - Arrive Fatima

This morning we will depart from Dublin to Lisbon with Aer lingus. Awaiting us in the arrival's hall will be our Marian Pilgrimages guide who will remain with our group for the duration of the pilgrimage. Upon arrival in Fatima we will have free time for lunch and afterwards check into our rooms.

We will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage and later, accompanied by our guide, we will enjoy a tour of the sanctuary which will include visits to the following:

- Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary - It was barely a decade after the apparitions that construction began on this church with its stirring Neo-Baroque architecture. It is now home to the tombs of the shepherd children.
- Chapel of the Apparitions - considered as "the heart" of the Marian Shrine and where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917
- Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity - built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims arriving in Fatima. The basilica can accommodate more than 8,000 pilgrims and boasts some magnificent works of liturgical art.


This evening after dinner we will return to the sanctuary to participate in the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


DAY 2 - International Mass, Hungarian Way of the Cross, Valinhos & Aljustrel

This morning, we will join with fellow pilgrims in the main square for the celebration of the International Mass and afterwards have free time for lunch.

Winding a way through the olive and cork trees of the Fatima countryside the Way of the Cross is the path taken each day by the three shepherd children as they went to graze their herds. This afternoon we will visit the sites associated with the apparitions and three shepherd children.

Loca do Cabeco
As the site of the first and third apparitions of the Angel of Peace to the children of Fatima, Loca do Cabeco is a true place of reflection and prayer.

Valinhos
Between the 8th and 9th station of the Way of the Cross in the Path of the little Shepherds, there is the place where the fourth apparition of Our Lady took place, on August 19th, 1917.

Aljustrel
Here we will see the late 19th century family houses of the children. In the backyard of Lucia's house, we will see the famous well associated with the second apparition of the Angel, in the summer of 1916.

Church of St. Stephen
Our afternoon will end at the Hungarian Calvary where we will visit the church dedicated St. Stephen, King of Hungary.

After dinner we will return to the sanctuary for the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


DAY 3 - Optional visit to Nazare

This morning we will celebrate Mass and in the afternoon have the opportunity to visit the town of Nazare. Departing from Fatima, our first stop will be Sitio, a historic and charming district of Nazare. We will visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare, home to a unique statue, believed to be the earliest carved statues of Mary and the child Jesus, which legend tells us may have been carved by St. Joseph. After time for private prayer, we will drive down to the seaside town of Nazare where we can have time for shopping and private sightseeing, enjoy a walk along the promenade, or simply relax in one of the many cafes and bars and soak up the atmosphere of this modern resort.

After dinner we will have the opportunity to return to the sanctuary for the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


DAY 4 - Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem, Relic of St. Brigid

This morning we will have time at leisure to return to the sanctuary and after free time for lunch will drive to the historical town of Santarem and Church of the Holy Miracle where we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage.

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.

We will continue onto the town of Lumiar, located just six miles from Lisbon. We will visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and hear of the arrival of the skull of St. Brigid, before venerating this precious relic. After time for private prayer, we will drive to Lisbon airport for our return flight.