Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Friday, 10th May - Arrive Fatima This morning we will depart from Dublin to Lisbon. Awaiting us in the arrival's hall will be our Marian Pilgrimages guide who 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 we will hear of the arrival of the skull of St. Brigid, which today is carefully preserved in a precious reliquary. After time for private prayer, we will continue onto Fatima and upon arrival, have free time for lunch before checking into our hotel where we will have time to relax.

This afternoon, 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.


We will celebrate evening Mass and after dinner attend the Candlelight Procession and Rosary which take place each evening at 9 pm in the sanctuary.


Saturday, 11th May - Hungarian Way of the Cross, Valinhos & Aljustrel

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 morning we will visit the sites associated with the apparitions and three shepherd children.

Loca do Cabe�o
As the site of the first and third apparitions of the Angel of Peace to the children of Fatima, Loca do Cabe�o 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 morning will end at the Hungarian Calvary where we will celebrate Mass in the church dedicated St. Stephen, King of Hungary.

Celebrations marking the Anniversary of the first Apparition of Our Lady in Fatima
Each year, between the months of May and October, especially on the 12th and 13th of each month, thousands of pilgrims come to F�tima guided by their faith.


Sunday, 12th May

Today we will join fellow pilgrims and participate in the celebrations that mark the very first of the apparitions which took place on the 13th of May 1917.

The celebrations of the first day of celebrations will culminate in the Candle Procession, when the light from the thousands of candles held by the faithful lends a magic atmosphere of communion and religious devotion in this very special sacred place.


Monday, 13th May

On the day which marks the actual anniversary of Our Lady's first apparition, we will gather with our fellow pilgrims in the sanctuary for the Holy Rosary, Mass, and the farewell or "despedida" procession. Exchanging candles for white handkerchiefs, we will wave our farewells as the statue of Our Lady of Fatima is returned to her normal place, the exact spot where Our Lady had appeared, to the chants of "Viva Maria Sanctissima! Viva!" (Long live Mary Most Holy!), from the pilgrims as we throw our multi-coloured rose petals.


Tuesday, 14th May - Church of the Holy Miracle, Santarem

This morning we will check out of our hotel and 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 have time for private prayer in this very special place. After free time for lunch, we will drive to the airport for our return flight home.