Monday, 11th May - Arrive Fatima This afternoon, we will depart from Dublin to Lisbon. Awaiting us in the arrival's hall will be our Marian Pilgrimages representative who will accompany us to the four-star Hotel Steyler in Fatima.


Tuesday, 12th May - Guided tour of the sanctuary

Each year, between the months of May and October, especially on the 12th and 13th of each month, thousands of pilgrims come to Fatima guided by their faith. Today we will join fellow pilgrims in the celebrations marking the Anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady in Fatima.


Today, 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.


Wednesday, 13th May - Anniversary of the very first apparition of Our Lady in Fatima

On the day which marks the actual anniversary of Our Lady's first apparition, we will gather with fellow pilgrims in the sanctuary for the Holy Rosary and Mass.


Afternoon 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 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 conclude at the Hungarian Calvary where we will have time for private prayer in the church dedicated St. Stephen, King of Hungary.


After dinner we will return to the sanctuary for 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.


Thursday, 14th May - Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem

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. We will return to Fatima and have the afternoon at leisure.


Friday, 15th May - Lumiar & Lisbon

After checking out of our hotel, we will drive to the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist in the village of Lumiar where we will hear of the history behind the arrival of the skull of St. Brigid, in Lumiar, and receive a blessing with the precious relic. After time for private prayer, we will drive the short distance to Lisbon and have free time for lunch. As we stroll through the quaint streets of the Portuguese capital, we will stop at 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. We will celebrate the closing Mass of our pilgrimage and have time for shopping and personal sightseeing before driving to Lisbon airport for our return flight to Dublin.