Pilgrimage Itinerary

Monday, 10th February - Arrive Fatima

Check in at Dublin airport for our flight to Lisbon. On arrival in Lisbon, we will be met by our guide and drive to the village of Lumiar.

In 1276 the Bishop of Lisbon decided to build a church at Lumiar and placed it under the patronage of nuns at Odivilelas. When King Dinis of Portugal heard that three Irish knights were bringing St. Brigid's head to Portugal, he wanted to have it preserved in the convent of Odivelas, but instead it was placed in the church at Lumiar, where it remains to this day.The three faithful knights remained with the Holy Relic for the rest of their days, and when they died they were interred in tombs let into the wall of St. Brigid's chapel.The inscription reads:Here in these three tombs lie the three Irish knights who brought the head of St. Brigid, Virgin, a native of Ireland, whose relic is preserved in this chapel.

This morning, we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage and venerate the relic of the great saint before we drive to the Hotel Steyler where we will stay for the following four nights.

After free time for lunch, 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 have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure and after dinner participate in the Rosary and Candlelight Procession at the sanctuary.

Tuesday, 11th February - 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. Today 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 morning will end at the Hungarian Calvary where we will have time for prayer in the church dedicated St. Stephen, King of Hungary.

After time at leisure for lunch we will celebrate Mass in the Chapel of the Apparitions and after dinner evening have the opportunity to return to the sanctuary for the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


Wednesday, 12th February - Trip to Santarem

This morning, we will drive to the town of Santarem where we will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Miracle. 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. We will return to Fatima with the afternoon at leisure to return to the sanctuary for private prayer. After dinner, we will participate in the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


Thursday, 13th February - Visit to Museum & time for private prayer

This morning, we will 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 St. John Paul II is encased. In the afternoon we will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage in the Chapel of the Apparitions and after dinner will participate in the Rosary and Candlelight Procession.


Friday, 14th February - Return home

This morning after breakfast we will check out of our hotel and drive to Lisbon airport for our return flight.